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July 16, 2020 Good afternoon, ( the following reflection is not true ) ' Hey Ezra, do you want to go hear this guy from Nazareth ? He has been doing some great healing of diseases. My uncle had no hearing for twenty years, and Jesus touched his ear, blew in some air, and now my uncle can hear. Do you believe it Ezra ? ' Isaiah, I am not so sure about him. I think there are some ideas underneath him that may be dangerous. The synagogue leaders do not approve of him. They do not trust his miracles nor his teachings.' ' Ezra, let us go see for ourselves. I think he is supposed to be just down by the Galilean Sea tomorrow. He is drawing really big crowds. The Empire will probably send some soldiers because he has caused some riots up near Sidon. We can watch from the back, and leave early if nothing exciting happens. I am curious about him. ' Isaiah, let us meet at the synagogue in Capernaum, and then walk down. See you tomorrow. I do not want to get close, just in case there is some violence. ( the next day, in the evening ) ' Ezra, did he really feed all those people ? He only had a little food, and it kept coming. The bread came out of nowhere, and everyone got some. That was a miracle, and it tasted so good. I am going to listen to him at the next Sabbath.' ' Isaiah, because he fed us all, people are saying he is the Messiah. He says he is the Son of God. What does that mean ? God is one, and one only. Why would he have a son, and who is his mother ? I am still not sure about him ? And his students are mostly fishermen. I do not trust all of this; it is too different. ' Ezra, I believe he is something different. Come with me to synagogue. They say he is going to preach. Maybe, we can ask him some questions too. ' Isaiah, what if he heals my withered arm ? Do I have to believe in his message of sin and salvation, if he heals me ? I will see you there, Isaiah. I am fine with my faith in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Can you imagine conversations with Jesus and his community, as you would have gotten to know him ? What would you have needed to believe ? Prayer Oh Jesus, you read in the synagogue, " The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Luke 4:19 I believe you Jesus. Please come and install it on this earth. Amen. Fred Tread on bold new paths ! Fireflies flash the direction Hope springs eternal Monica Pieper Landoni 2020 Fred Redekop Pastor Poole Mennonite Church
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Ponder Anew 