Today is Wednesday, July 17th, 2024; Karen's Korner #5168
Karen's Korner readers know that I am a Bible reader, not a Bible scholar. I am also someone who doesn't embark on 'reading the Bible through in one year'. I know myself well enough that if I decided to do it, I probably would. But the pace I would storm through, wouldn't bring me much knowledge. I would just go fast!
Instead, I pick a book of the Bible. Read it. And then pick another one. Recently, I started in on the book of John, which I hadn't read for some time. New believers are directed to John as a good one to understand and a great place to start.
Jesus first miracle was turning water into wine at a wedding ceremony. He moved right from there to the Temple where he started to drive corrupt merchants out of it.
"Jesus made a whip from some rope and chased them all out, and drove out the sheep and oxen, scattering the moneychangers' coins over the floor and turning over their tables! Then, going over to the men selling doves, he told them, 'Get these things out of here. Don't turn my Father's House into a market!''
~ John 3:15 - 16 LAB
*
Bible Commentary: Jesus made a whip and chased out the moneychangers; does that permit us to use violence against wrongdoers? Certain authority is granted to some, but not all. For example, the authority to use weapons and restrain people is granted to police officers, but not to the general public. The authority to imprison people is granted to judges, but not to individual citizens. Jesus had God's authority, something we can't have. While we want to live Christlike lives, we should never try to claim His authority where it has not been given to us."
****
Back