The word "Bible" comes from a Greek word that means "library."
When we think of the Bible as a library it seems more accessable. We do not need to take on the whole thing at once. We can "check out" a book at a time. We can return and re-read our favorites. without thinking we have to read all the volumes together.
When we get to a section of "begats," with names that are unfamiliar, we can skip over them without guilt and go on to the sections that interest and inspire us.
Meditation:
Dear God, teach me with Your Living Word to find meaning, understanding, inspiration and application in the writen word. I let Your Voice speak to me through the prophets and writers of old that I may be a blessing today.
Application:
If you have a Christian orientation, I invite you to start with the Gospels in the order they were writen, according to scholars: Mark, then Matthew, Luke and John. Notice what is similar and what is different about how they tell the stories, what they include and what they leave out. What is the picture of Jesus that you see? What was His message? What is your response?
If you come from a different background, read the book of Genesis as a collection of tribal stories from the Hebrew clan. Read the Pslams as a person trying to figure out and express your relaitonship with God. Read the Gospels as a record of a holy man.
Do not be afraid of this library. Check it out!
Blessings as you read and contemplate!
Joyous in the Spirit,
Blair
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Monday, January 10, 2011
Abba = God the Beloved
Jesus used a name for God that is an invitation for us to experience God in a deeper way, in a more loving and love-filled way.
Jesus called God, "Abba."
Usually this is translated as "Father." "Our Father, who are in heaven..." "It is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."
The popular language in Israel at the time of Jesus was Aramaic. Jesus probably spoke Aramaic. There are a few places where the Bible does not translate Abba, but includes it in the Greek text. Check out Mark 14:36.
Abba is an Aramaic word that is used as a term of endearment. Our English word, "beloved" is the closest translation. Abba can be used to denote the head of a clan, but in everyday usage, it can be used by a mother for her son or a son for his mother, etc.
Think of some of the quotes of Jesus with "Beloved" substituted for Father, as Jesus addresses God.
"The Beloved and I are one." John 10:30
"But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Beloved who is in the secret place; and your Beloved who sees in secret will reward you openly. Matthew 6:6
"For whosoever shall do the will of my Beloved which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother." Matthew 12:50
"Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Beloved, He who is in heaven." Matthew 23:9
"Therefore be merciful, just as your Beloved also is merciful." Luke 6:36
"And he said unto them, 'When ye pray, say, Our Beloved which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.'" Luke 11:2
"But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Beloved in spirit and truth; for the Beloved is seeking such to worship Him." John 4:23
I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Beloved who sent Me." John 5:30
"Do you not believe that I am in the Beloved, and the Beloved in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Beloved who dwells in Me does the works." John 14:10
"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Beloved." John 14:12
"At that day you will know that I am in My Beloved, and you in Me, and I in you." John 14:20
"As the Beloved loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love." John 15:9
What impression do you get of Jesus' relationship with God as the Beloved?
Now remember when Jesus was asked which of the commandments was most important, he did not quote the "10 Commandments." He said, "And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment." Mark 12:30
...To love God with all that you are adn all that you have...to love God as the Beloved.
Meditation:
Dear God, my Beloved, I am ready to let Your embrace of grace enfold and envelope me. I love You. I am in Your love. I am Your love. I love You with all that I am.
Application:
How do you feel about yourself, if you are God's beloved?
How do you treat others if they are God's beloved?
How do you treat your body if it is the temple of the Beloved?
How do you choose to bring God's love to your life? Your work?
Blessings!
Joyous in the Spirit,
Blair
Jesus called God, "Abba."
Usually this is translated as "Father." "Our Father, who are in heaven..." "It is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."
The popular language in Israel at the time of Jesus was Aramaic. Jesus probably spoke Aramaic. There are a few places where the Bible does not translate Abba, but includes it in the Greek text. Check out Mark 14:36.
Abba is an Aramaic word that is used as a term of endearment. Our English word, "beloved" is the closest translation. Abba can be used to denote the head of a clan, but in everyday usage, it can be used by a mother for her son or a son for his mother, etc.
Think of some of the quotes of Jesus with "Beloved" substituted for Father, as Jesus addresses God.
"The Beloved and I are one." John 10:30
"But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Beloved who is in the secret place; and your Beloved who sees in secret will reward you openly. Matthew 6:6
"For whosoever shall do the will of my Beloved which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother." Matthew 12:50
"Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Beloved, He who is in heaven." Matthew 23:9
"Therefore be merciful, just as your Beloved also is merciful." Luke 6:36
"And he said unto them, 'When ye pray, say, Our Beloved which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.'" Luke 11:2
"But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Beloved in spirit and truth; for the Beloved is seeking such to worship Him." John 4:23
I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Beloved who sent Me." John 5:30
"Do you not believe that I am in the Beloved, and the Beloved in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Beloved who dwells in Me does the works." John 14:10
"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Beloved." John 14:12
"At that day you will know that I am in My Beloved, and you in Me, and I in you." John 14:20
"As the Beloved loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love." John 15:9
What impression do you get of Jesus' relationship with God as the Beloved?
Now remember when Jesus was asked which of the commandments was most important, he did not quote the "10 Commandments." He said, "And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment." Mark 12:30
...To love God with all that you are adn all that you have...to love God as the Beloved.
Meditation:
Dear God, my Beloved, I am ready to let Your embrace of grace enfold and envelope me. I love You. I am in Your love. I am Your love. I love You with all that I am.
Application:
How do you feel about yourself, if you are God's beloved?
How do you treat others if they are God's beloved?
How do you treat your body if it is the temple of the Beloved?
How do you choose to bring God's love to your life? Your work?
Blessings!
Joyous in the Spirit,
Blair
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)