Page Twelve Thought-Sherds 56-60
Thought-Sherds (It's a play on words, you know, "potsherds'' the little Earthenware fragments that Archaeologists find, with scriptures, notes, and things written on them,.... well if you have to explain it...... it's not so funny anymore)
Thoughtsherds: [thot '- surdz ] too small to be an article, but maybe big enough to make a difference.
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Thought-Sherd 56
The Riddle of Emmaus, (no, it's not really a mouse. And no mice were harmed in the solving of this riddle)
this one is short. (as all mice are)
The location of Emmaus, the Village that Cleopas and another disciple were walking to the day that Jesus was Resurrected, has puzzled many, for many years. But the answer is surprisingly simple:
Our old friend Josephus does mention “Ammaous”. But the objection is that it is too close to Jerusalem i.e. appx 36 stadia, instead of the Biblical 60 stadia.(about 7 mi. luke 24:13)
Please consider this: before Luke even put 'quill to parchment,' he knew he would be describing a round-trip. Note Luke's use of the word apecho, vs 13 (Strong's G568 apecho is often used to describe a return or collecting in full, [apo G565 "off" & echo, yes, echo G2192 which can include the thought of "return" y'know, like an echo] and please compare w/ Philemon 1:15, and please see Luke 6:24 'received in full', i.e. a RETURN on investment. And please compare w/ John 6:19 where apecho is NOT used, because it is not describing a round-trip). So Luke 24:13 can/should correctly be translated:
“...a 60 stadia round-trip from Jerusalem to a village named Emmaus.....
which also makes the length-of-time for the return-trip make more sense. (and can be added, on a very well-lit, near full-moon night, it wasn't dark when they returned to Jerusalem, it was a full, or near full moon, as Passover is always on the 14th. A Jewish new-moon is not a full-moon. New-moon is the 1st day-of-the-month [fingernail moon] and the Full-Moon is in the middle of the month, near the 15th. You might think a New-Moon would be a Full-Moon, but it ain't.)
Just a side-note; betting against Josephus is almost always a bad idea.
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Thought-Sherd 57
Wedding Expense Deductions
Short version
At the Wedding at Cana, Why was Mary so bossy to, not only Jesus, but even to the servants at somebody else's Wedding ?
And why did she expect Jesus to be responsible for a wine shortage at somebody else's Wedding ?
Why did she not “put a sock in it” when Jesus told her to 'stop it' and leave him alone ? And he was very very blunt !
What's was going on here !!!???
Mary was the mother of the Bride, at a Wedding for Jesus's sister, that Jesus had paid for !!
(i'm laughing my head off right now because i can feel your reaction, and at the same time i also can really really see the inter-reaction between Jesus and his mom. He was trying to get her to stop(!) but she just wouldn't, i think it's just hysterical. Mary was just focused on her daughter's wedding, Jesus was focused on the beginning of his ministry, and he was very well-aware of what was about to happen(more on that in the 'long version)and didn't want his mom trying to call-the-shots (“woman what have I got to do with you?”). And it didn't even faze her ! Which means, even though the words were harsh, the spirit was not. And yet there is a gentle acquiescence on her part, but not a complete relinquishing of her 'mom' authority. If you're here with me in the Time-Machine do you notice the complex inter-reaction ? Notice the humour that flickers in and out between the two of them, notice how Jesus asserts just the right amount of firmness, but does not cross the line of disrespect ? Notice how Mary pushes her 'momness' but stops short of going too far. Just fascinating. Such an interesting passage. i can't stop smiling. Moms are moms, what can i say ?)
OK, How do i know this ? Well, as i've mentioned before this is the only website with a Time-Machine. So, that makes it easy. But, please consider how this point-of-view makes everything make sense and feel right. Why would Mary do this at someone else's wedding ? Why would she boss someone else's servants ? Why would she expect Jesus to be responsible for the short-fall in the amount of wine ? How did Jesus know to be there just 3 days after he came out of his 40 days in the wilderness ? This perspective is just one of those things, that once you see it, it makes all the pieces fit.
So now, if you would be so kind, please let me take you to the 'Long Version', and we'll fill in some details/clues.
Long version
Yes, This little thought-sherd is pure deduction/speculation.
But surprisingly, methinks most will find it reasonable and most-likely correct with a closer look.
Well then, let's take a closer look.
It's a bit long, but that's because i know it just takes a while to shift one's perspective/point-of-view. And this is a bit of a shift, but i think (hope) you will find it worthy of your time.
And the usual reminder: If you're Thinking Religiously, well, you're prolly on the wrong website......
Here goes.....
As you well know, Jesus was a Carpenter.
But, let's just “walk that all of the way home”. Shall we ?
Was he a good Carpenter ? No, he was not, he was a great Carpenter !! And so were his brothers. In fact, it is no small stretch to realize that Jesus ran a very successful family business. In fact, he was well-known throughout the region as a carpenter. (mark 6:3 [Nazareth] john 6:42 [Capernaum]) And He, being the one who's previous job was designing and producing the whole stinking Universe, taught his brothers wonderful, efficient, and new-to-the-industry techniques of production efficiencies, quality-control, tools, design etc. etc. And it should be noted that the Greek word translated “Carpenter” tekton [Strong's G5045] really means 'artisan' or 'craftsman' (think 'technician'). He was not just an Oxen-yoke maker !! A tektonician could be skilled in the use of many different materials; stone, textiles (fabrics), wood, leather, metal, etc. and could manufacture items from as small as children's toys to complete houses/business-buildings. Translating the word tekton as 'carpenter' is like saying “the place to buy socks” instead of “Department Store”. Not technically wrong, but..... Please too, consider this; Jesus LOVED managing and producing big complex beautiful projects !! and cared about production-efficiencies and quality, As he had done, and loved doing, for Billions of years before he came to earth !!
He was a very
successful, good, and wealthy (but not materialistic) businessman
! And he made sure his (Joseph's) family was well cared-for !
Including his Sister's wedding.
(please remember this was
before his ministry. when he started his
ministry he, without question, just as he told the rich young
ruler,[mark 10:21] gave all to the poor, and dedicated the use of
this purpose-built house. And from then on he was supported by
contributions[luke 8:1-3])
(please comp w/ Matt 25:15-29, and then tell me Jesus did not understand and appreciate good business-sense, remembering that it was his parable. How could the person who gave an illustration like this not be a VERY successful businessman !? And please note how he rewarded great success with even more success [vss 28, 29 luke 19:24] this is Jesus's view of businessmanship, it really is. How could Jesus not be the “Ten-Talent” businessman !?)
OK, Now, let's take this little Chautauqua another step.....
Jesus was a 'plan-ahead' kind-of-guy. Here's how we know that; at Luke 10:1 it clearly states that Jesus sent 70 (some say 72) 'advance workers' ahead of him to the cities that he himself would soon be coming to. Again, he was a “plan-ahead” type of person (and still is), as this verse clearly shows. With that in mind......
Do you think he didn't plan ahead for his whole Ministry ?
Please take careful note of the interesting exchange between Andrew and Jesus at John 1:38, 39 “Rabbi, where do you live ?[stay, reside, remain Strong's G3306 meneis]”
And Jesus's response ? 'Come with me, and I'll show you where I live. And they came and stayed with him !'
At Jesus's house ! The house he, as a wealthy Carpenter, had already pre-built and Purpose-Built for his Ministry. Now, don't run screaming out of the room :) please bear with me while a case is made for this..... hmmmm...... different/unusual assertion.
Some might object that Jesus had said, “the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head”. When, where, and why did Jesus say that ?
He
said this at Luke 9:58, now please look up a bit at verse 51. Luke at
vs 51 clearly marks the transition and end of Jesus's Galilean
ministry. Meaning he would never
go back to his home/house in Capernaum.
Hence, from
that time onward
he
no longer had a house/home to lay his head.
[mark's
sequence also agrees with luke, matthew not so much. but ol' matt was
known to not always be sequential. there may be a reason he lost his
bookkeeping job :) ]
But Jesus clearly had a House & a Home up until this time.
Let's look at the evidence/facts:
Matt 4:13 clearly states that he had a permanent house/home in Capernaum. The greek word katokesen Strong's G2730 used here refers to a permanent house/home/dwelling. And the Bible is very clear, IT WAS HIS HOME/HOUSE. (also matt 9:1)
Mark 2:1 clearly states that He was 'at Home' in His 'House'! (and it was Jesus's house that the roof-tiles were removed from !! and it didn't bug him one bit ! [vss 3-5]. what a kind man !)
When Matthew had his “called to be a disciple Party”, it is clear by comparing the accounts at Matt 9:9-11, Mark 2:14,15, and Luke 5:27-29 (that he, Matthew, spread a big feast for Him[Jesus] at His[Jesus's] House)...... yes the party was at Jesus's house/home. Think, the Pharisees weren't hanging around Matthew-the-tax-collector's house.
Please compare with Luke 5:17-19, wherein Pharisees were hanging around Jesus's house. A purpose-built House/Home for his Galilean Ministry, with a very large room for teaching, dining(Matt's party), for children to play, etc. (notice how a child just happened to be readily available at Matt 18:2, what does that tell you ?) The house had a wonderful, brilliantly designed kitchen, thoughtful details throughout, amazing little things that most people wouldn't even notice, but that made it a warmly comfortable, hospitable, healthy, happy, large home/house. How could it not be ?
This was the house he built and had ready before he was baptized, and was living in the day after he came out of his 40 day time in the wilderness ('…...where are you living?...' John 1:38) (and please see matt 9: 28,29 carefully note where the blind men were healed)
And 3 days later he decided to go to Cana in Galilee, to his sisters wedding, that he paid for, which is why his Mom expected him to correct the short-fall in the amount of Wine. And there is no doubt that she expected him to take care of the problem. Which clearly shows he had the means and responsibility to do so. Which clearly means he deliberately under-ordered the Wine ! To prepare the stage for this event !Is this the sort of thing that he would do ? Yes. Please compare with John 6:5-12, where Jesus deliberately put himself in a position where only a miracle could save-the-day, and Jesus put his Mom in the same position as Philip(vs 5), Jesus knowing exactly what he was about to do in both cases! The events at Cana were not just an accidental/chance event ! It was the exact day, 44 days after his baptism, on which his Miraculous/Ministry would begin.
Before Jesus was Baptized and went into the Wilderness for 40 days, he might have had this conversation with his sister:
"Rachael [i'll call her rachael] you have always been such a wonderful help to Mom and the family, and you did so much organizing and help for the family business. Please let me do this; I have to be gone for a little over a month, but in addition to the dowry I promised you, I would love to pay and plan in advance for everything for your wedding. Would you be willing to wait until I get back ? It will be around Abib (Nisan) 4th."
Well, Rachael absolutely loved her oldest brother and said, "Yes !" without hesitation. [time machines make this stuff so easy]
And after that wonderful beginning where did Jesus and his family go ? To his Mom's house ?
Noup.
They all went down to Jesus's nice big house in Capernaum (john 2:12), and then, just a few days later, they all went down to Jerusalem..... for the first Passover of his Ministry.
By-the-Way.... the house/building/Church that is commonly thought in our times to be Peter's house, is very likely Jesus's house. Peter did NOT have a house in Capernaum, Jesus did...... the Bible is as clear-as-a-bell on this..... and why would Andrew ask "where are you living", if Jesus was already living in Peter and Andrew's house ?!?
Andrew and Peter were from Bethsaida, please see John 1:44
Please see:
https://mapcarta.com/W366377655/Map situated very logically, yes ? (please zoom in)
and please see:
The House of Peter: Capernaum or Bethsaida? - The BAS Library
https://library.biblicalarchaeology.org/article/the-house-of-peter-capernaum-or-bethsaida/
So, now you know.......
this very interesting little discovery and a Dollar-three-ninety-five will get you a bad cup of coffee somewhere, but i still think it's innerestin'.
p.s. what can i say ? as has been mentioned many times on this website: Yehovah loves his little riddles, he really really does (jesus and the holy spirit too, it's just in 'em :)
To extrapolate just a bit further, and walk this speculation “all of the way home”.....
If this little theory, that Jesus paid for his sister's wedding, is true, then it would also be reasonable that Mary, Jesus's mom, would have been involved in the pre-planing, as She was standing in the place of Joseph, 'the-father-of-the-Bride' who was most likely deceased, and she most certainly was involved in early conversations with Jesus and his sister about the wedding plans before he left to get Baptized. And women love wedding planning. Well Mary, having raised a large family, and understanding the feeding and entertaining of large groups, Looked at the preparations; quantities etc. etc. And said to Jesus, “my dear Son, everything looks very very good and generous, but I couldn't help but notice that you don't seem to have ordered enough Wine.” To which Jesus replied, “No, that's exactly what is needed.” “are you really sure my son?” “yes, mom, I'm sure”. “it just doesn't seem to be enough”. “Mom, it is fine, please trust me on this”. Jesus knew exactly what he was doing, he had under-ordered for a reason, but they were his reasons and doing, and his alone.
Now, as you listen to what Mary says to Jesus at John 2:3, with this little speculation in the back of your mind..... when Mary says, “they have no wine”, can't you also hear in her tone-of-her-voice, “I told you so” ? And doesn't Jesus's manner and intensity of reply, “mom, you really have nothing to do with this” make more sense ? I'm sure Jesus really didn't want to be so firm with her, but he just had to. This was the full beginning of his Ministry, no one else but Yehovah had any say at this point. Jesus always said and did the right thing in the right measure. what an amazing Man.
However when Jesus came to his time to die, the full expression of Mary's opinions and emotions would be welcome and warranted, when Jesus's 'hour had arrived'. (vs4)
Again, this is pure speculation, but it kinda seems possible, dahdinit ?
And just a brief comment about Mary's behavior at the wedding:
Is it really reasonable to think that Mary would try to take over at another woman's wedding ? Women are extremely Social in their thinking. This just seems too very bold and uncharacteristic for any but the most brazen of women, and it just wouldn't have fit Mary's deeply Thoughtful Character.
It's just too Brassy.
Thinking like a man, this behavior seems natural, but not for a woman.
Women have an Extremely strong Social conscience, and simply stated, no intelligent normal woman would do this at another woman's wedding*.
Ahh, but, if you realize that Mary was the mother-of-the-Bride, then it makes Perfect sense.
*Remembering that the Chinese symbol for War is 'Two women under one roof', (i.e. hagar/sarah)
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Thought-Sherd 58
a little micro-riddle..... (fishing for an explanation)
Here's a little micro-riddle for You.
It really changes nothing, but, if it does have a point, it's that closer attention to detail can be surprisingly revealing in the feel and sharpness of what we read (fun factor). Making, especially the Gospel accounts, “Pop” off of the page ! .....making the bible feel real...... yah know.....
Here it is:
The three Parallel accounts of Jesus calling his first 4 Disciples/ Apostles (mt 4:18-22, mk 1:16-20, lk 5:2-11) fit together a bit awkwardly.
Matthew has Simon and Andrew leaving behind an apparently empty net right after Jesus first sees them, and then a bit later, happens upon James and John who appear to be just idly mending their nets further down the shore of Galilee. And then recruits them too.
Mark is essentially the same as Matthew.
But Luke has Jesus, in the midst of a Sermon, abruptly getting into one of two empty boats and continuing his Sermon. And then while Jesus is still in the boat he has Peter row out further and cast out his nets. Resulting in an enormous net-ripping-catch that almost sinks Peter and Andrew's boat along with James and John's boat. And then Jesus recruits all four to follow him.
Can these accounts be reconciled smoothly ?
Yes they can. Here's how:
Matthew and Mark's account(s) begins in the Middle of the Event, but Luke's account begins Before the Event.
Simply; after they had this Enormous catch, they rowed their boats to the shore. And, logically, the partners with the larger crew[james, john, their father and employees mk 1:20] began unloading this great catch as Peter and Andrew just a few feet away were rapidly “mopping-up” the fish that were leaking from the ripped nets!! “so that nothing was wasted” (what ? Jesus wouldn't waste 12 baskets of used bread and fish fragments, but would throw away boatloads of fresh fish ?!) Peter and Andrew were just a few steps away from their partners who had now just finished unloading the fish, and then were now mending the 'just-ripped' nets. In fact, the Greek is quite clear on this in the book of good ol' Mark.
As-soon-as Jesus recruited Peter and Andrew, he took just a few steps from that place , to James and John's boat. Here's the Greek:
G3641 ολιγον few G1460 προβας steps G1564 εκειθεν from that place. (Mk 1:19a). That's what the Greek really says. Peter and Andrew weren't out fishing again or at another time or place.
The Cypher-key for this Riddle is 'A FEW STEPS FROM THAT PLACE'
"that Place” being Peter and Andrew's boat.
Brief Review:
Jesus, in the midst of a sermon, got into Peter and Andrew's boat, and continued his sermon.
And then had them put out to deeper waters for a fishing Miracle,that caused the ripping of the nets from both boats, and almost sinking them both.
They all came back to shore; Jesus, the soon-to-be-disciples, and the fish.
Jesus, as was his custom, most likely went over and said his good-byes to the crowd, who very likely witnessed the Miracle and arrival of the huge catch of fish.
After Jesus said his good-byes, he walked over to where both boats were back on shore together, right where they had been, right in front of where the crowd had been.
(Matthew and Mark start here)
And then he walked over to where Peter and Andrew were presently mopping-up the leaked fish from the torn nets and called them to officially be Disciples,
He turned, and took just a few steps [Mk 1:19a please see above] to where James and John were repairing the nets that Jesus had just ripped and gave them the the exact same invitation.
And Jesus's two
first-cousins and their, very likely, two childhood friends, Peter
and Andrew, accepted that amazing offer.
(thus, logically, all five grew up together as friends and cousins)
This amazing micro-riddle, and a $5 bill, might get you a very small cup of coffee somewhere, but interestin', yes ?
And will hopefully plant the seed for You to do this same little odd kind of thinking in Your own Bible reading.
It's all part of that "Thinkin' Thing" that Jesus was always encouraging and hoping to see and find.....
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Thought-Sherd 59
two more micro-riddles (the answer is blowin' in the wind)
In the account in Mark where Jesus sends out the 12 with miraculous powers [mk 6:7-13] then they return and excitedly, and somewhat exhaustedly, report what they had done[vs 30]. So Jesus said 'why don't you take a little respite/ break. Things here in the House[in Capernaum] are just too chaotic for you to even catch your breath, or even eat a meal[vs31]. Let's go somewhere isolated and rest a bit'.
Here's what appears to be the Logistics of this Whole mini-event:
The Apostles were quite tired when they got back to the House in Capernaum, so Jesus sent them in the direction with, not against, the prevailing wind, to the East, and past Bethsaida to the East of Capernaum, for their rest-break.
NO ROWING REQUIRED !!
And when that event was over, Jesus sent them back into the same prevailing wind, vs 45, but this time to the West, into and against the same still prevailing wind. Which they fought for HOURS [vs 48. so much for a rest-break] Towards Bethsaida. But not to Bethsaida.
Because Jesus's next stop was on the opposite side of the Lake, opposite from where this event had taken place, no longer to the East of Bethsaida, but now to the West of Bethsaida.
His next stop was far to the West of Bethsaida, at Gennesaret. Many translations say to Bethsaida, but they really should say he sent them in the direction TOWARDS Bethsaida, or 'in the direction towards' Bethsaida. Because the Destination was NOT Bethsaida, but Gennesaret, some few miles to the West, past Bethsaida.
But if a comparison is done between vss 31 and 38 there is something a bit odd here.
Jesus had them leave Capernaum because they had “no time to even eat a meal”. And then, when they got to their picnic destination, they had no food with them ?! The best they could come up with was to borrow 5 loaves and 2 fish from a little boy !?!
What's going on here ?
Did Jesus forget to pack a Lunch for his Apostles that he himself was taking for a picnic-break ? Not possible. He knew they hadn't eaten, [vs 31] and that they had just gotten back and needed a break, and food.
Wind-direction as the Key to cracking this little riddle. Wind direction is the Cypher-key to this whole micro-Riddle. :
If you remember, When Jesus and his Apostles left Capernaum they went East, with the Wind. (Remember, the return trip was against the wind) So all that these fishermen had to do was hoist a sail, sit back, regale Jesus with tales of their Adventures of Healing etc. etc. enjoy the lunch packed and planned by Jesus and his wonderful entourage of women.(apparently led by Mary Magdalene by-the-way, please see Luke 8:2,3 Matt 27:55,56)
AGAIN, NO ROWING REQUIRED !! So They could ALL Relax and eat together, at the same time, and in Private. How very very clever of Jesus! And That was their Break! And the Boat was the “Isolated Place by themselves” !!
Not the site of 15-25K hungry people that the Apostles were about to wait-on/ serve!!
That site may have been isolated, but the Apostles weren't !!!
Wait ! What !?!? yup, there's another riddle, wrapped inside this riddle.
Please stop and Think: the only time in this Whole Event that the Apostles were alone by themselves was in the boat.
Back home in Capernaum it was too busy and crowded to even eat a meal, and their destination point was even worse !!
[Does the Greek allow for this ? Yes. G2048 ερημον “solitary” and G5117 τοπον “spot, place, room” G3641 ολιγον “briefly” G373 αναπαυεσθε “refresh” vs 31. And that's exactly all of the “brief rest” that they got ! So the Greek allows for this and the facts demand it ! Quite simply the only "brief rest" they got was on the Boat !]
I would guess that from Capernaum to Jesus's “isolated spot” was about 3 or so miles. So maybe about a 1 to 1½ hour, or more, easy/ restful non-rowing trip, to the East, with prolly a sub-10 knot wind. And when they arrived at Jesus's picked spot, their food was all gone.... their break was over and it was “back to work boys !!” Waiting on 15 to 25 thousand people ! And then about a 5 mile multi-hour row to the West to Gennesaret (that same wind was no longer their friend)!
Feels like 'Apostle Boot-Camp' to me ! But Jesus really was training/ toughening-up these men. Again, this little clarification is just interesting, it doesn't really change anything. But this does make for a clearer picture.
This kind of Reading/ Thinking doesn't change anything, and it changes everything. if you know what i mean.......
Jesus was/ is ALWAYS trying to get us to THINK
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a simple request: if you share or use the information from this website, please, would you be so kind as to cite the source.... ? www.MusingsAboutGod.com
tanx eh ?
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