“And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.” Matthew 9:10 Publicans, who were often of their own Jewish people, were the collectors of tax. The Jewish people of Jesus time hated paying tribute money to the Romans. “So Publicans were accused, sometimes correctly, of being: of “great detestation.” “people often of abandoned character,” “oppressive in their exactions.” “associated in character with thieves and adulterers; “profane.” “lacking honesty and moral integrity” material rapists — lacking restraint. They indulged in vice. The Religious Pharisees also accused Jesus of being a friend of these, “publicans and sinners.” Indeed He sat with them. And ate with them. Jesus list goes this way: gluttonous Winebibber Friend of sinners Friend of Publicans Blasphemer Judging by their appearance, the “all knowing” Pharisee conjured and surmised many things. Lets borrow some…
Tag: <span>Pharisee</span>
The theme of “will of man versus the sovereignty of God” presents a problem age-old. No, I have not solved it, but the dilemma finds resolution in the person of Christ. What do I mean? Well, the gap between active and passive states of mind, for instance, dissolves when we allow for the presence of both mind-states in their precise and proper manner and timing. We recognize these dispositions as they are as easy as giving and receiving, or opening/closing the hand. There are times when we do both simultaneously; we call this “exchange.” I take the ice cream cone and at the same time hand over the money. At the gas pump, for every ounce of petrol dispensed into the tank, my card is “rung up” to the equivalent dollar amount, side by side. The sense of equity and fairness combines these aspects of receiving and releasing quite naturally. So, what’s the…