Path To Paradise II

Faith On The Chalk Board

Wendell sat down, and Rudy resumed lecturing.
"Let's look at Jesus' ministry. We have discussed that John and Jesus preached in Galilee. John prepared the way for him. He not only baptized Jesus but also immersed his followers. John's disciples began to dwindle in that they joined disciples of Jesus. Gabriella, please read from John 3:28-30,"
His sister stood up beside her desk and read.
"You yourselves bear me witness that I said, 'I am not the Christ, but I have been sent ahead of that one.'  Whoever has the bride is the bridegroom. But the friend of the bridegroom, when he stands and hears him, has a great deal of joy on account of the voice of the bridegroom. So my joy has been made complete.  That one must keep on increasing, but I must keep decreasing."

"Thank you, Gabriella. You can sit down.  And for extra credit—can any student tell the class what happens to John soon after this.  And this excludes Wendell,"
Rudy gazed around the room, most of the students, except for Wendell, stared back like vacant houses.  The boy scowled, and let out an exasperated sigh.
"Anyone?" Once again the ripple of pages being turned filled the class. Rudy folded his arms and waited for a long moment. The only noise that filled the space was the strong spring wind knocking the sides of the schoolhouse and rattling the window panes. Finally, one timid arm came up. He smiled when he saw that it was Cana.
"Yes, Cana, tell us,"
Cana stood up beside his desk. He grasped his Bible.
"Well, soon after this Jesus and John went their separate ways. The scriptures say in John 3:22,23 that Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, whereas John went to Ae'non near Salim to baptize. Not long after this John was imprisoned by King Herod for publicly speaking against the king's marriage to Herodias who was at first the wife of his brother Philip,"
"Excellent Cana. Everyone let's turn to the account in the scripture. Cana will do the reading,"
Cana read aloud Mark: 6:17-20:
For Herod himself had sent out and arrested John and had bound him in prison on account of He·roʹdi·as, the wife of Philip his brother, because he had married her. For John had been saying to Herod: "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife."So He·roʹdi·as was nursing a grudge against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not.  For Herod was in fear of John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man, and he was keeping him safe. After hearing him, he was at a great loss as to what to do, yet he continued to hear him gladly."

Rudy indicated for Cana to sit again and then continued to relate the rest of the account verbally.
"The Bible says that John was in prison for two years until an opportunity to kill him presented itself to Herodias—let's turn back to the scriptures to see what happened," Rudy went back to his desk to read from his own Bible, Matthew 14:1-12 tells us:
"But when Herod's birthday was being celebrated, the daughter of He·roʹdi·as danced for the occasion and pleased Herod so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked.  Then she, at her mother's prompting, said: "Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist."  Grieved though he was, the king, out of regard for his oaths and for those dining with him, commanded it to be given.  So he sent and had John beheaded in the prison.  His head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother.  Later his disciples came and removed his corpse and buried him; then they came and reported to Jesus."

He looked up after the reading to find most of the class wearing a sober expression. Rudy's heart beat a little faster.  Was he finally reaching some of them?
"Your thoughts?"
"A horrific end for such a faithful man," the comment came from Dasnet Chavez.
"Yes...yes...it was," Rudy agreed, "but he did die knowing he would be resurrected.  This also shows us what fear of man can do to a person, in the case of Herod. Dasnet, come up to the chalkboard.  It's your turn to write a list of  Jesus' accomplishments."

The slight girl rose from her seat and approached the board. She was pretty in the extreme. Big dark eyes that looked almost black, peered from a clear brown face with high cheekbones. Her eyebrows arched perfect and graceful, and her lashes curled up naturally. Long straight obsidian hair that carried a blue sheen spilled over one shoulder. Rudy often thought that if the girl could just take her mind off of Cana for a short while, she might also be one of the brightest students in his class. Dasnet was the quiet sort, content to scribble notes to Cana and dabble with Haikus. His sister Gabriella was her best friend. While Dasnet's nature was sweet and cordial, he rarely saw her make an effort of deeper friendships with the other students, not even with Wendell, who was also a loner, although, not by choice. Every once in a while, she would blurt a comment aloud in class. The verbal observations were always thoughtful, even deep on occasion. This was how Rudy knew there was more to her than just her looks, so when she spoke up, he made sure to make the most of it.
"Now, we come to Jesus and the preaching of his disciples. Can any of you recall the primary theme of Jesus preaching?"
Gabriella's hand shot up.
"Yes, Gabriella tell us,"
"The primary theme of the preaching work was the kingdom of God,"
"Exactly.  The kingdom or shall we say government is the primary way that Jehovah's name was cleared of the bad Satan had heaped on it.  As all of you may recall,  when we studied the Lord's Prayer in the gospel of Matthew 6:9 the first request is that the name of God be made holy, and then the second petition is for God's kingdom (government) to be made manifest upon the earth.  Can somebody read for me the scripture at Mark 1:35-39. This will show us the other reason for Jesus coming to earth."
Rudy looked about his class and chose a younger student called Abe.  He was maybe eleven or twelve and had not participated in the class in the group discussion as of yet. The boy stood and read the scripture:

"Early in the morning, while it was still dark, he got up and went outside and left for an isolated place, and there he began praying. However, Simon and those with him hunted him down and found him, and they said to him: "Everyone is looking for you." But he said to them: "Let us go somewhere else, into the towns nearby, so that I may preach there also, for this is why I have come." And he went, preaching in their synagogues throughout the whole of Galʹi·lee and expelling the demons."

Rudy smiled at him and motioned for him to sit.
"Thank you, Abe, very nice reading. So now let's begin making our list."

Credit: John Sloane art

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Scriptures of interest: 

Matthew 6:9-9 "You must pray, then, this way: "'Our Father in the heavens, let your name be sanctified. Let your Kingdom come. Let your will take place, as in heaven, also on earth. Give us today our bread for this day; and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not bring us into temptation, but deliver us from the wicked one.'

Psalms 83:18–May people know that you, whose name is Jehovah, You alone are the Most High over all the earth.

(NOTE: Jehovah is the English pronunciation of God's name. His name was originally in the scriptures over 7000 times. 'Jehovah' was removed from the scriptures, because the religious leaders of the time felt that God's name was too holy to say. These leaders replaced the name with the title Lord. However, in removing God's own name from the Bible, they violated the first commandment which says to sanctify God's name.)

John 3:22,23–
After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Ju·deʹan countryside, and there he spent some time with them and was baptizing. 23 But John too was baptizing in Aeʹnon near Saʹlim, because there was a great quantity of water there, and people kept coming and were baptized.

Photo Credit:  Bible Atlas, Yahoo images