Journey Log #6

“The events from the night before won’t stop replaying through his mind. One thought keeps repeating itself. He saved me… He saved me… He saved me…… Shizuo saved me. Izaya couldn’t comprehend. Shizuo Heiwajima, the man that tries to kill him the instant he sees him, stepped in the way of his death.”

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In class today, we went over chapter 16 in John. We then moved onto a discussion over the very last verse: “These things I have spoken to you that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33, NKJV). We talked in particular over the last line, “I have overcome the world.” Besides having the obvious answer that Jesus overcame death, it also has a more present and practical meaning.

Just as D.A. Carson describes in his book The Gospel According to John, “Jesus’ point is that by his death he has made the world’s opposition pointless and beggarly” (pg. 550). I find this a wonderful way to summarize what we discussed in class. Through Jesus, we have are able to have peace in times of opposition. Including, as one major topic we discussed, loving those who oppose you.

The idea of “loving your enemy” is something we as Christians hear numerous times; and this phrase appears directly in Matthew 5:44 and Luke 6:27-28. But the reason we hear it so often is because of how effective it really is (if not also the hardest thing to do). Typically, for most people (Christian or not), we have to get past the dislike or fear from our enemy and be kind to them, love them; making it an extremely difficult task at times. How I see it is that when someone is hurtful towards, say you, and you show them kindness, they won’t know what to do with themselves. This could be for a number of reasons: He (or she) was expecting a more common reaction of hate or fear, someone may not have shown him kindness before, or anything else. I truly feel this is the power of love. It renders your enemies defenseless and ultimately at loss.

This brings me to the quote at the beginning of this blog entry. It is an excerpt from the fanfiction I’m writing based on my current favorite anime called “Durarara!!” (A fanfiction is a fan-made story based on something with a fan base, like a show or person.). As we talked about loving your enemy this morning, all I could think of was my story because this is a topic I address in it. The man speaking is Izaya Orihara (pictured left), whom is one of the main antagonists (more or less) of the show, and is referring to Shizuo Heiwajima (pictured right), one of the protagonists. These two share a mutual hatred to say the least. Shizuo despises Izaya mainly because Izaya manipulates everyone for his own desires and he framed Shizuo for a crime (among other reasons). And Izaya too, hates Shizuo as well.

In my story, however, I wanted to change this. I wanted them to become friends. While it is loosely hinted, Shizuo becomes saved and begins to change, including beginning to forgive Izaya. Eventually, there comes a point in the story where Izaya is about to be killed by a gun when Shizuo steps in the way. For Izaya, the event “rot [him] to [his] core” (to quote Anton Ego from Ratatouille). He is at a loss because of the selflessness Shizuo showed him and eventually falls apart emotionally and breaks down. Over time, Izaya changes as well and the two men reconcile.

While I made up the situation, I feel it is still an applicable example because the idea still stands. When we show love to our enemies, it defeats them. Christ overcame, and in Him we can too. As Carson says on page 550 at the end of his comment on verse 16:33 of John, “From this…take heart, and begin to share his peace.”

Journey Log #5

His cancer has returned. Take him to the hospital NOW. *send*

If I ever sent one text into the past to somehow change my present, this would most likely be along the lines of what I would send.

Allow me to explain. Recently, I have been re-watching one of my favorite anime called Steins;Gate. In the show, a young man named Okabe Rintaro discovers a way to send text messages into the past that then alters the present. Some of the texts he sends make minor changes, while others have more drastic consequences.

Before I started watching it with my mom, I brought up a topic that has been on my mind lately; a biblical idea that can be taken from watching Steins;Gate. I told my mom that people seem to always want to change their past to have a better present. Typically, someone either regrets a decision they made, or hate how some events played out that was out of their control, like the death of a loved one. I told her, however, that I have come to learn that we should not want to try to alter our lives into something we believe is “better” for it might not be better in the end after all. For we do not know, we are merely human…

This brings me to the scripture I came across immediately in John 11. Verse 4 states, “But when Jesus heard this, He said, ‘This sickness is not to end in death, but for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it.’” (NASB). This struck a chord with me right away. It took me back to a time just four years ago that was the most awful time of my life.

In November of 2011, I lost my grandfather to cancer. I was very close with him; we even shared a birthday together. Unfortunately, some members of my family really do not get along and during this time, most of the family interactions at the time turned horrifically toxic. It was a horrible time for my senior year of high school, and even though I wasn’t saved at the time, I tried my best to turn to God.

Sometime later, only a year or two, I reflected on the situation and I hold on to this idea firmly in my heart to this day: While those few months were the worst time of my life, I would not trade it for the world. Because of what happened, I was able to grow and change, and so was my family. Not only was I saved nearly one year after my grandfather’s death, but God set me on the path I needed to be to direct me to Liberty University. It molded my person, and relationship with God and others.

That’s why when I read John 11:4, it pulled at my heartstrings. At first, it might not seem to fit the situation I’m presenting. Allow me to show you. In D.A. Carson’s book The Gospel According to John, he looks at verse 4 on page 406. Here, Carson states that “[t]he death of Lazarus will prove to be for God’s glory – not ‘in order that God may be glorified, i.e. praised’, but ‘in order that God’s glory may be revealed’…his self-disclosure.” Whilst Carson is referring to Jesus, I feel it also simply means that the resurrection allows God to reveal His sovereignty; God’s sovereignty over all things, including the tough times in our lives. This, in turn, reminds me of the famous passage by Paul in Romans, “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (8:28, NASB).

You see, for the most part I am no longer saddened when I first think about that time four years ago. Instead, I am grateful for all of the numerous blessings that came from it; a situation that seemed so horrible and tragic in the midst of it. As I said, I wasn’t able to see the good fruits at least until a few years later.

I can see why people, like the characters in Steins;Gate, would want to change their past to try to make things better. However, I trust and know that I have a God that knows what he’s doing. All the things that happened did so because of certain reasons that I am unaware of, or ultimately, God was able to turn into something good like Paul describes. There were times when even I wanted to change my past, but now that I’ve changed so much (and for the better) because of the darkest time of my life, I now know that I shouldn’t worry about the past because I believe and trust that it will somehow, someway, improve my future.

Journey Log #4

“What is this thing you call ‘rest’?”

This is a phrase, or at least one similar to it, uttered by many a college student (myself included) when a friend or family member tells them to get some rest amidst their stressful college lives. Beyond that, in today’s society many people may not really understand the idea of getting rest. I say this because we are constantly doing something. Even on our days or weekends off, people are always planning vacations, doing schoolwork (to catch up *cough*), or just getting out of the house or dorm to change things up.

People today are very used to this idea. Even on Sunday, our supposed day for “rest”, people go to church, preachers give sermons, and students…well, it’s one last attempt to get that paper done that’s due first thing Monday morning. We are on the go every day.

Back in the time of Jesus, however, things were rather different (naturally). Back then, the Jews had their day of rest, the Sabbath. Most people are familiar of this term, so I will briefly summarize: it is when Jews did no “work” whatsoever. I have heard numerous times that they took this so literally, that they would even fix meals on Saturday that would then be eaten for meals on Sunday so they wouldn’t have to even cook!

Now, out of all the Jews, the Pharisees were of course the ones that kept the closest to this idea. The reason is because it is actually a rule. In Jeremiah 17:21-22, God declares to His people, “[t]ake heed of yourselves, and bear no burden on the Sabbath day, … ²²nor carry a burden out of your houses…nor do any work, but hallow the Sabbath day, as I commanded your fathers.”

Therefore, when Jesus did “work” on the Sabbath by healing the lame man (John 5:1-18), they got upset to say the least. This is where I, and probably a lot of new believers, got really confused. My thought was, “If Jesus just miraculously healed a man that had been sick for over 30 years, why are the Pharisees getting so upset? Shouldn’t they be surprised that Jesus even healed him?”

When I read page 79 of Kostenberger’s book, it made things a little more clear. He says that the Pharisees paid no heed to Jesus’ healing; “[r]ather, they take offense at Jesus’ telling the man to pick up his mat and walk, for oral tradition (though not the Old Testament itself) forbade the carrying of a mat on the Sabbath. (Italics added)” In other words, Jesus violated the oral “law” of the Pharisees, not the Old Testament (OT)! To me, it seems like they had their own little world based on the OT, and because Jesus followed the “real” laws and not the oral laws of the Pharisees, is why they got so upset.

Kostenberger goes on and puts the Pharisees’ problem here rather simply. He says that because of their issue with Jesus, it “shows a religiously shortsighted people who have forgotten the true intent of the Law and…of the God who gave it to them.” Basically, it somewhat supports my idea that the Pharisees had their own little world within their own religion.

Interestingly enough, I actually feel sorry for them (somewhat). Numerous times in Matthew 23, Jesus calls the Pharisees “blind” (ex. 23:16-17, 24, 26). I can find no other way to describe them. They are so wrapped up in keeping to the Law as close as possible, they make restrictions they cannot get out of or look past. I mean, Jesus miraculously heals a man and all they are concerned with is that Jesus did work.

Ironically, Jesus uses the Pharisees’ own laws against them in this case later on. Eight days after a male child is born, he must be circumcised. Kostenberger explains on page 81 that “experts in the Law had determined that in this case [if the day falls on the Sabbath] the circumcision command took precedence.” In other words, they did “work” on the Sabbath just to keep another Law. In John chapter 7 verse 23, Jesus mentions this to them in His defense, he uses their own Laws against them and they are stumped.

So, in a way, work on the Sabbath is allowed depending on the work. This scene is proof of that. However, upon using Jesus’ example, some of the work that would be allowed might be the kind that follows God’s other commands such as healing and seeking Him.

I hope this helped to clarify some things for anyone that was as confused as I was when reading this. I shall see you again soon!

Journey Log #3

Hello everyone and here we are again.

In class we have gone over and addressed chapter 3 of John; which contains one of the most well-known verses of the Bible. I will be briefly looking at this verse, but more so, I will be reading past that; which most people of the world (this term can be used in both ways) don’t always get to hear and I feel is just as important.

I want to look at verses 16-18 in John. I have read this quite a few times and have heard John 3:16 an insurmountable number of times. However, it wasn’t until we discussed this particular section of verses in class and reviewed them once more afterward, that I was fully with the impact of their meaning and their meaning and application to my life and how I should interact with others.

So first, is the all-too-famous John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” (NASB)

Simple enough to understand, right? Now let’s go a little further with verses 17 and 18 which read, “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 18 He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

While verse 18 is just as important as 17 (for it explains its predecessor further), I would like to focus specifically on 17. I can try to state what’s going on and then try to clarify, but I feel there is a good explanation already. In the book “The Gospel According to John” by D.A. Carson, he explains verse 17 like this: “Here John aims to make a simple point, a clarification of the purpose of that mission, already articulated in v. 16. God’s purpose in sending his Son into the world…was not to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (206) John even emphasizes this point later in chapter 12 verse 47.

This idea changed my thinking. It never really dawned on me before what exactly these simple words were trying to tell me. Jesus did NOT come to judge, only to save. Sure, on the surface it may seem simple enough. However, this is somewhat rather different than what I was told/had heard before I was saved and even when I was first saved. It really has nothing to do with Jesus actually, but just the idea of evangelism.

This might be a little difficult to explain, but I shall do my best. You see, before I was saved (and for a while thereafter) many times I had heard that when talking to unbelievers you’re supposed to mention how they are going to be judged and will face the wrath of God. While this is statement of judgment is true, something about it always unsettled me. It’s the whole idea of “shoving the Bible down someone’s throat” or also put eloquently “trying to save someone by bashing them over the head with a bible”. It just doesn’t work. This is what I went through with my relative long ago before I was saved. Whilst he didn’t mention judgment, he still tried to “shove it down my throat”; which is why I shied away from looking into really being a Christian.

I say all this because I realize that is not what we are supposed to tell people to turn them to Jesus. People will be judged, yes. It says so right there in verse 18. I personally feel that the idea is that when talking to unbelievers, we need to turn their focus on the love of God, and not the wrath. It may not necessarily “scare them” as it should, but, like me, they may glass over the information and push it aside because they don’t want to think of things like that. However, if we turn their attention to God’s love, which is Jesus’ mission in the first place, then I think we really will be able to connect and help others. I mean, that’s what eventually turned me officially to Christ. I was hit with the realization of God’s love for me and THAT is what changed my heart.

While talking about God’s judgment is important and should not be forgotten, I would like to encourage my fellow believers to first focus on God’s love when talking to unbelievers; especially those you have little contact with. To phrase my thoughts on this simply: “You catch more flies with honey than vinegar”.

I hope you enjoyed this and thank you for reading! Good day!

Journey Log #2

Greetings!
In class we have been reviewing John 1:19 through 2:12. After reading It over once again, I decided for my next blog topic that I would like to clarify some terms that might be confusing to new believers. There is one in particular that I would like to address because when I first read through the book of John a couple years ago, they really confused me before I was given clarification in school. The phrase that I would like to look into is: “Lamb of God”.
Let’s delve into this phrase. When I was first saved a few years ago, and even before then, when I read and heard of the term “Lamb of God” I knew it was referring to Jesus, but I had no idea what in the world it meant. Why, of all things, would Jesus be added the title of “Lamb” to His other numerous titles? Well, if we look at the passage where it is first used in John’s gospel, it will actually help to clarify this a little more.
John 1:29 “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, ‘Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!’” In the exerpt, John the Baptist was baptizing in a river when Jesus approached him and his followers. He also uses the term again in verse 36.
So when reading this verse, it is revealed that the purpose of the “Lamb” is to remove our sins. Kostenberger, in his book “Encountering John”, explains simply that “[t]his clearly refers to substitutionary atonement” (pg. 55). In the glossary of the book, “substitutionary atonement” is defined simply as “Jesus’ dying on the cross for our sins” (261).
To explain a little further, this is referring to how all of humanity is supposed to die for our sins, as we should. However, on the cross, Jesus took on Himself all of man’s sin and became the substitute for our own deaths. In doing so, Jesus made us clean in God’s eyes (if one believes in Jesus), and therefore created a reconciliation between God and man; which is to say our “atonement”.
Even back in the Old Testament when Jesus was prophesied, they use the idea of sheep and of “substitutionary atonement”; looking at Isaiah 53:6 for example: “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”
Now, you might be wondering (as did I) why specifically is there a comparison to that of a lamb? Again, we look at the Old Testament.
Admittedly, I, like other people that are new believers I’m sure, am much less familiar with the Old Testament (OT) than New (NT). I believe part of the reason is because it is what is mainly used to bring people to Christ because that is where Christ (mainly) is. I say that because Christ shows up even in the Old Testament under different names/titles; but that is a whole other discussion. Anyway, I say that to make the point that I get lost in the many references to the OT, or rather I don’t know they are there. Like, for example, the idea of a lamb.
Now, as I have stated before, I am still new to this; but I will convey what I have learned to the best of my ability and as accurately as possible. Continuing on with discussing the OT, back then, the Jews had to have sacrifices of animals to cover and “atone” partly for their sins; especially for the priests so they would be able to speak with God. On numerous instances, a lamb had to be offered. It had to be a pure, and “spotless” lamb. The lamb’s blood covered the person’s sin. By sacrificing it in this way, it became a small type “substitutionary atonement”. Only Jesus, the spotless “Lamb of God” would, and forever, be the only thing to cover sin for man and reconcile him with God once and for all.
Until next time.~

About

Greetings! I am WhiteShiningDragon and a senior Studio Art major at Liberty University. I’m currently taking a Bible class all about the book of John. Here, I will be posting a few devotional blogs as we go through the class.

Finding Heaven’s Light