Jesus Christ Superstar? Are we trying to make Him into one? (Full Version)

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kisstheson -> Jesus Christ Superstar? Are we trying to make Him into one? (7/11/2008 3:07:34 AM)

Jesus Christ Superstar? Are we trying to make Him into one?

well I’m hoping I can write down my thoughs tonight in a way that will make sense. LOL! Been reading the gospel of Mark and noticed all the times when Jesus healed people he didn’t want to make a big show about it. Often he nearly pleaded with those whom he had cured not tell anyone. Imagine having been cured of a terrible disease and trying to keep quiet about it? I know I couldn’t. Well Jesus became so popular that he had to sneak off to out of the way places. He was so reconizable that no matter where he went word would spread quickly and throngs of people woud be demanding his attention.

Okay...I had read a certain part of the gospel (Mark 7:24-30) countless times. its the story where Christ heals the daughter of a gentile woman. He had traveled to a place called Tyre which was away from his beloved galilee. I’m wondering where Tyre was? Was it a gentile city? Well for the first time this part of the story jumped off the page.(verse 14)"He went into a house and didn’t want anyone to know he was there." I saw Jesus once again trying to hide.

How different is that from the Jesus many people want to know today? A lot of people want Christ to come down from the sky before the appointed time of his actual second coming, to show up with miraculous powers, to heal thousands. Personally sometimes I like Jesus surrounded with loud rock/worship music, lots of activity,healings,words of knowledge...all are signs of his presence..yes, but am I missing something? Thousands are running to see him in places such as Landland. Thay are coming from all over the world but what if one night Jesus has gone into the house and is hiding?

What do I mean by that? The scripture comes to mind: John 14:21-23 Christ is speaking. "...and I shall love him and show myself to him."

Judas- this was not Judas Isacriot-said to him, "Lord, what is all this about? Do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?"

Jesus goes on to talk about keeping his words and how he and the Father will come and make their home with people that do what he says. Jesus doesn’t promise a big powerful show to his followers. he keeps things pretty simple. "I’m coming to the ones who keep my word."

back in the early 70’s there was a popular top 40 song on the radio called Jesus Christ Superstar. The song was from the rock opera based on the last week in Christ’s life. It is sung after Jesus is condemned to death by Pilate. Judas taunts Jesus by singing,

"Every time I look at you I don’t understand.
Why you let the things you did get so out of hand?
You have managed better if you had it planned.
why did you choose such a backwards place in such a strange land?
If you’d come today you would have reached the whole nation.
israel 4BC had no mass communication."

I’ve been thinking I/we have to be careful we are not wanting Jesus to do something he’s not into right now. maybe he’s in the house hiding from the multitudes and we need to go and find him there.

I’ll stop here but a lot has been stirring in my heart about encountering christ on every day life.

What do you think?



Annie64 -> RE: Jesus Christ Superstar? Are we trying to make Him into one? (7/11/2008 5:08:01 AM)

You are doing a wonderful thing both to meditate on Scripture and to encourage others, by posting your thoughts, to do the same.

And you're right, I think, a lot of times we want Jesus to do things our way, not his.

I think that then, when He was in His ministry, a lot of the hiding came from the fact that He hadn't been to the cross yet, so He wasn't ready to take His rightful place as King and God. It would have been a temptation for Him to do this an easier way, as Scripture shows in Matthew 4, where He was tempted. That's one of the temptations He faced, to be given the world by bowing down to Satan's way and not having to go to the cross. I'm so thankful that Jesus never sinned; He never gave in. He is now resurrected, but He hasn't come back yet, so He hasn't yet shown Himself to be the King of Kings and Lord of Lords that He is.

You're definitely on to something, something that shows you've been thinking, and something that requires some thought.



Walker311 -> RE: Jesus Christ Superstar? Are we trying to make Him into one? (7/11/2008 7:11:15 AM)

Jesus tried to hold down the excitement of what He was doing otherwise He would have been killed before it was time.



rcjames -> RE: Jesus Christ Superstar? Are we trying to make Him into one? (7/11/2008 9:32:52 AM)

I do not think we can make Jesus Christ into something He already is.


Thanks
RC



Liveloved -> RE: Jesus Christ Superstar? Are we trying to make Him into one? (7/11/2008 11:56:59 AM)

quote:

Jesus goes on to talk about keeping his words and how he and the Father will come and make their home with people that do what he says. Jesus doesn’t promise a big powerful show to his followers. he keeps things pretty simple. "I’m coming to the ones who keep my word."


Oh, kisstheson, thank you for posting these thoughts. I agree with Annie that this is what the Lord desires from us---that we read, ponder, brood over and meditate on His word, letting it sink in deeply.

And that is exactly the point that Jesus is making in John when He speaks of those who keep His word. "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him, and make Our abode with him." John 14:23 Being a keeper of His word is far deeper, far greater than obedience. (I am not discounting the importance of obedience.) But there is something more here that Jesus is saying and that He earnestly desires that we understand.

In John 8:31-32 He says, "If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." What this verse means is that if we will continue to listen to His word, taking it to heart, we will be doing something which is absolutely necessary in order to be His disciple. He will reveal the truth to those who yearn to hear it, and the truth He reveals will guide them on the path of freedom.

In contrast to those who are word keepers are those who reject His word. Rejecters of His word often look very religious, are good people who do the 'right' things. This is the contrast.

In John 8, Jesus spoke to the Jews and said, "I know that you are Abraham's offspring; yet you seek to kill Me, because My word has no place in you." The literal rendering of that is My word makes no progress in you.

So what we have is a clear contrast between a disciple, one who keeps His word, listening to it, yearning for it and taking it to heart and the rejecter or thief, the one who uses the word for his own means and end and will not hear truth, will not let it penetrate to get at the true heart needs.

Yes, it is something we need to hear. Many know God's word. Many can quote the right scripture and answer the question. Many look good. But that describes those who reject His word as well.

You're absolutely right when you say we need to go find Him. He is hiding. He spoke in parables. Not all understand. He wants us to seek Him. But His promise is that if we seek Him, He will be found! Bless you! [:)] LL



SonInMe1 -> RE: Jesus Christ Superstar? Are we trying to make Him into one? (7/11/2008 12:54:39 PM)

Jesus had things to accomplish while He was here and He did so, as a servent.

When Jesus comes back He will do so as Lord of all, King of kings. No lonegr the servent.

To make Jesus a superstar would be a great step downward.



Little_1 -> RE: Jesus Christ Superstar? Are we trying to make Him into one? (7/11/2008 2:11:23 PM)

People adore and worship their superstars, e.g. football stars, pop stars, TV actors, etc

Jesus is far greater than a Superstar! Superstar's are less than perfect - Jesus IS perfect.
quote:

-- ORIGINAL SonInMe1

......"To make Jesus a superstar would be a great step downward."


I tend to agree with SonInMe1.


Also, if you are wondering why Jesus played down who He was during His earthly ministry - please take a look at the following link and I hope this will help you to realise that there is no mystery involved just practicality:

Why Jesus did not want His identity revealed instantly

Hope this helps.

P.S. It is great that you have a desire to study God's Word. This is an excellent subject to consider. [:D]



kisstheson -> RE: Jesus Christ Superstar? Are we trying to make Him into one? (7/12/2008 2:50:39 AM)

quote:

In John 8, Jesus spoke to the Jews and said, "I know that you are Abraham's offspring; yet you seek to kill Me, because My word has no place in you." The literal rendering of that is My word makes no progress in you.


Liveloved,

I really liked what you shared and how you expanded the idea of the OP but the above quote really stood out to me!

Evryone,

I appreciate your input. I think that Jesus hiding himself from the crowds was not just because he had a mission to die. I think this also demonstrates his humility.



Liveloved -> RE: Jesus Christ Superstar? Are we trying to make Him into one? (7/12/2008 10:33:20 AM)

quote:

I appreciate your input. I think that Jesus hiding himself from the crowds was not just because he had a mission to die. I think this also demonstrates his humility.


While I certainly agree that Jesus was the model of humility, I'm not sure that He hid because of that. The word is clear that truth is not revealed to just anyone---you must seek truth and it must be seeking from a right heart. So even today, Jesus is hidden from those who do not really desire salvation as He offers it. They are blinded.

Everything Jesus did was on God's time table, not His own. So much of His operating in hiddenness while in the flesh, had to do with timing, IMO.

Just my thoughts. . . but I'm enjoying the discussion.[:)]



Kat_D -> RE: Jesus Christ Superstar? Are we trying to make Him into one? (7/12/2008 10:51:09 AM)

quote:

Thousands are running to see him in places such as Landland.


It's Lakeland...and btw, I thought I'd seen this post somewhere before, then realized it was in that thread. I think that's called spamming.



kisstheson -> RE: Jesus Christ Superstar? Are we trying to make Him into one? (7/13/2008 4:22:32 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Kat_D

quote:

Thousands are running to see him in places such as Landland.


It's Lakeland...and btw, I thought I'd seen this post somewhere before, then realized it was in that thread. I think that's called spamming.

whoops! lakeland....So what did you think of what I wrote?



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