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Results from: Answers On or After: Thu 12/31/70 Author: lewisg Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | where did the multitude come from? | Mark | lewisg | 96211 | ||
You're quite welcome for the answer, and you're right about the crowds. At least it seems that many people followed Jesus out of curiosity or amazement at his miracles, but there were other reasons, too. For instance many followed him because they had first been followers of John the Baptist who was prophesying of the coming Messiah (Christ) and then identified Jesus as the One. Some (like the Scribes and Pharisees) followed him trying to find ways to trip him up or cause him trouble. Some followed him because he called them (like the apostles), and others simply followed him because he was (and is) as he claimed, "the way, the truth and the life." Just like today, some followed and kept following (Matthias, for instance, as seen in Acts 1), and apparently others followed and then stopped following (an example would be the rich young ruler). From the time he was a boy of 12 teaching in the temple (and amazing the adults) Jesus attracted a crowd, and he still does today! |
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2 | Why the angel of the Lord did not protec | Ps 34:4 | lewisg | 96209 | ||
Your question regarding Abel is a good one, and it might also be asked of any believer who dies at the hands of another, or even from disease. But certainly it could be applied to Peter, James, Stephen or any of hundreds of thousands of others who have given their lives for their Lord. One possible answer is that in this Psalm David, being inspired by God, is referring to Jesus. Angel means "messenger" and Jesus was certainly the Word of God. If so, this particular angel has indeed rescued all who fear the Lord, and he has done so by paying their penalty for their sin. Part of the difficulty with a verse like this is that we want to interpret it in a "human" way. It seems likely to me, given the history of mankind, that the "rescue" here is not necessarily from physical death or even physical harm, though God is quite capable of rescuing us in those ways. Even verse 4 (Psalm 34.4) says "rescued me from all my fears." One thing I have to keep reminding myself is that Bible promises aren't usually fulfilled exactly as I think they should be, but they are still true! |
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3 | why not tell of his blessings? | Mark | lewisg | 96206 | ||
The answer regarding the incident you mention in Mark is the easiest, I think, so I'll start with that. In that passage (Mark 3.11-12) Jesus instructs the unclean spirits to not make him known (testify about who he really was). That was the kind of testimony Jesus did not desire, possibly because the evil spirits meant in some way to harm him by their testimony or possibly because their testimony would not be thought credible by any who heard it. In either case, Jesus knew that their testimony was not helpful to him or his purpose on earth. In a similar manner, though certainly with no malice, the testimony of men can sometimes be less than helpful to the cause of Christ. Jesus knew that, and on several occasions seems to understand the testimony about him wasn't one of faith in him, it was one of amazement at him. For instance, in Mark 7 Jesus is recorded as healing a man who is deaf and (basically) dumb. After the man's hearing and speech are restored Jesus tells the crowd ("them") to tell no one. He knew their focus was not on him, but on the miracle. In short, Jesus always tried to avoid misplaced or malevlolent testimony, even if it carried with it some element of truth. He really does look on the heart! |
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