Chapter 19 opens: “Jesus did not found an organization; he inspired a movement”. This highlights the fact that Jesus began with a scarce amount of believers, scattered about different lands, whom followed him because they were inspired by his words. Unlike other movements which appoint successors to the previous leader, Jesus’ movement was extraordinary in that once he died, he remained the leader. His followers obviously felt that he was irreplaceable. Furthermore, most of his followers felt that Jesus continued teaching them after his death through the spirit, so in a way, Jesus never really died. They believed in him so greatly, that they put him on par with God; they believed his words were those of God. To believe in Jesus today, means that you believe in all of this. Either you believe that he is divine, or you don’t believe in him at all. By accepting Jesus, you accept God. Nolan concludes this concept perfectly, writing, “The faith which Jesus awakens in us is at the same time faith in him and faith in his divinity”. Finally, we are not only called to think and speak this faith, but to act in it. In order to truly believe in and follow Jesus, we must act as he did. Only by following in his footsteps are we displaying a true faith in Jesus.
-Jack Havey
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I think that you can believe in Jesus but do not have to follow him exactly. Back in the time of Jesus, many people thought He was crazy and His beliefs were absurd. The people he spent time with, such as the sinners and prostitutes, gave Him a bad reputation, and no one wanted to follow His lead. It was not until after He died that He gained recognition and respect. Basically, belief in God and Jesus should be based on personal experience and what His impact is on your own life and not what the Bible says you should do. Jesus has a different role in each person's life, and some fully believe and some people struggle or are not sure of their own faith yet. It takes time to find and follow Jesus.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Billy. I think that you can believe in Jeus but you don't have to follow him. For instance, I believe in Jesus but I dont always go to church; and even though I dont go that often I still think that I have a strong faith. Different people express their beliefs in different ways.
ReplyDeleteI think Billy hit a big point that the bible is not your written code of conduct rather a vessel to help find yourself. In a quote in the summary it says "Jesus awakens us" not jesus demands and tells us whats to do. I feel as if those strict bible thumpers who have never really taken time to take a step back and create there own perspective really miss the whole purpose of the bible as a symbol.
ReplyDeleteI agree with most of what Billy said, but I have to respectfully disagree with "It was not until after He died that He gained recognition and respect." Whether the gospels exaggerate the "feeding of the five thousand," we will never know. Yet, when he was alive and preaching many people followed him and believed in him (regardless the real reason why). He message was only confined to a small audience because he lived in Ancient Judea, not 21st-Century New York City. This message constriction is also compounded by the fact that he only lived until he was 33. Who knows what he and the apostles could have accomplished in another 10 years?
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