FELICIANO, URSULAINE GRACE C.TREDTRI C32

FELICIANO, URSULAINE GRACE C.TREDTRI C32

Birth of Christ Baptism of Christ Calling of the Disciples Cure of the Paralytic The Rich Man The Resurrection

Birth of Christ

The new beginning.Glory to God in the highest, and peace to His people on earth.

Monarchy is now becoming the thing. We are now on the fourth, and it seems that it is becoming bigger and bigger by the second. The empire that we belong in, is expanding and our land is getting wider with colonies. Our leader, Augustus Caesar have commanded the extension of the Roman Empire, and I believe that a drastic change is coming. (1), All the world (1), will be included in the radical change, so a decree was created to have all the people dwelling in these lands to be registered at certain places since corruption is being rampant.(2)

It was a cold, cold night. The stars are shining brightly. I was just comfortably strolling around our humble abode, when I saw this pair , woman was pregnant, and it seems that they were looking for a place to stay. I know that there are many people here at Bethlehem during this time, because of the event that was mentioned above. I assumed that they did not find a place to stay since it was a peak season, and I really pity them. They seem to be looking for hours and hours for a place to stay and I think the woman is in her critical stage of pregnancy.

I heard the voice of the lady as she was giving birth, then a small voice went on crying, It was prodigious that the woman was able to have a delivery in a manger, not in a cradle in an inn, where most of the men were born. (2) It was truly the humblest way possible to give birth to what they said was the Messiah, without the glamour and spotlight.It was calm. It was a few yards away, it can be seen from our place, but it was too far to go there. I continue to watch the happening.

A few shepherds went to the place, and it was shared to us that these men talked about going to Bethlehem just to find this child. According to the hearsays, they were from that part of the country, then at night, an angel talked to them saying that they should not be afraid, for he will just tell the good news that will bring joy to all the people. Amazement could be traced from their faces, as for somebody have arrived to fulfill Gods promise.

Furthermore, a group of angels appeared singing Godly praises, that peace will be brought to heaven with whom he is pleased. Then the angels went back to heaven, so they decided to travel hurriedly and found the family. They told about what happened with the angels, and according to the bystanders, they saw Mary reminiscing about the thing that had been told earlier in her life, that she is to be the mother. (2)

These shepherds testified and this was no ordinary birth, for this was the birth of the great one.It was not about the parents, it was about the child. The shepherds knew what the angels said was true and continued to praise the Lord.(2)(1) Matthew Henrys Concise Commentaries(2) IVP New Testament CommentariesBaptism of Christ

The start of Holiness.

You are my own dear Son. I am pleased with you.

I was just wandering around the Jordan River, then I saw that many people were being put into the water, later on I realized that they were being baptized.

Different kinds of people were coming near the guy, and I asked who was the guy giving the blessing. They said it was John the Baptist, who has been doing the job ever since. He was a man who came, that was foretold by the prophets, as others may say so. They thought he was the one. (1) Nevertheless, he tells the people that a greater one will be coming. (3) While looking at the people, I noticed several familiar faces, and I was really appalled.

Some of these were known to be as tax collectors, which in my case, I think are the least people to come at places like this. Others were soldiers, and others were just normal people. They all wanted to be forgiven , they all wanted the grace of the Lord.

Then a stunning scenario happened. A man came, and it seems that the world stopped. So Jesus, the name of the man, which I think I remembered as the one who was born in a manger, went directly to John the Baptist. He asked to be baptized then John became reluctant, saying that he should be the one to ask for Jesus blessing. But then again, Jesus was still a human, and this process signifies the humanitys need for cleansing in order to be pure. (2)

A miraculous thing happened. Jesus came out of the water, then what was said to be the Holy Spirit went to him, but it came on the form of a dove. This event encompasses that the heaven had given its blessing to Jesus. (3) He was the chosen one, the unique one, the anointed one. He will be the one to look up to, but he will be looking up to God. He was said to accept his calling, and spread the good news.

It was indeed a regeneration and forgiveness of sins. (4)

(1) Matthew Henrys Concise Commentaries(2) IVP New Testament Commentaries(3) Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible(4) Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

Calling of the Disciples

Even Him needs help.

Dont be afraid, from now on, you will be catching people.

They said that the Lake Gennesaret was a place specially picked out, honored and made well known by Christ, by his preachings along with his miracles. (1)

It was just a normal day. I saw Jesus standing at the shore of the said lake, along with the followers that he gained from preaching in the synagogues.(1) It was so crowded, and people kept on pushing and pushing and pushing just to be able to see Jesus and hear what he is going to say.

There were fishermen who just came out of fishing, and it was shocking that Jesus came to them and hopped in the boat. He commanded the two, one named Simon, to go again to the water and let down the net to catch more. He was reluctant at first, explaining that they did not caught anything, but he believed in Him. Then a miracle happened. They net was then filled up with fishes, to the point that it was already breaking up the gear, and even the boats were so full that they were on the verge of sinking. Simon Peter, revolted about the event, saying that he is unworthy, and Jesus should just leave him alone. Jesus then mentioned that he should not be afraid, for from then on, he will be with him. The call was just simple, distinct and not something that was greatly celebrated afterwards. (2)

After that, others were also given the same miracle, including James and John, the sons of Zebedee. They were also tasked to tag along with Jesus and Simon Peter. I was really confused on why Jesus kept on calling these fishermen, and not some others like maybe a tax collector, or a Pharisee.

No pun intended, but it is indeed witty that Jesus chose these fishermen. They should be fishers of men, (3) those who will attract people and make people come with them and preach with them. They need to ensure that people were convinced that Jesus is the one.

(1) Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary(2) Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary(3) Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

Cure of the Paralytic

A Miraculous event.

What marvelous things we have seen today!

I was an audience during this session of teaching of Jesus. Even the Pharisees, Scribes and teachers of the Law from other places were there to hear his words. (1) The Lord is with us here in the room, thats what other people say, that is why Jesus can heal the sick.

Then there was this paralyzed man in the bed, that was brought by carrying him into the house. He seemed really lost and tired with life. He cannot do anything, especially if he will not be helped by others. It was really full, so its hard for them to move around so they opted for the roof so that the man would land at the middle, which I think is a good idea. I know the man needs some good healing, so I think it is fair that they did this.

Jesus then uttered to the man, that his sins are forgiven. How could he do such thing, I asked in my mind, since I really could not voice out my emotions. And I thought, just like that? Then I started to remember that God works in mysterious ways, and I am starting to get used on what Jesus can do. But it was not only me who had that thoughts. Even the Pharisees questioned him, for they say that only God, and God alone should determine if a person has been forgiven.

But then our savior countered, saying that he can prove that the Son of Man could do such things, for our souls should be uplifted and go where they wanted to be. He was an instrument sent by God to tell the people that they are forgiven no matter what they did in the past. (2) It was truly magnificent to hear those words coming from the anointed one. Jesus commanded the paralyzed to get up, pick up his bed and go home.

The unexpected happened, for the man got up quickly, picked up the bed he was utilizing, went straight home while praising the Lord. All the people looked surprised, that a miracle had taken place once again. Including I, was amazed with what happened. It is true that in a lifetime, many wonderful things would be seen, but it is rather spectacular to witness such commotion.

(1) John Gills Commentaries(2) Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

The Rich Man

A Disgrace.

What is humanly impossible is possible for God.

I was at another talk being conducted by Jesus. This time, He was preaching really well, when a Jewish leader asked him on what a person must do, in order to receive eternal life?Humbly, Jesus answered on why he was called good, for no one is good except for God. He then said something about the commandments, enumerated some, including Do not commit adultery, Do not commit murder, Do not steal. Do not accuse falsely and Honor your Father and Mother.

The leader replied, saying that he followed the rules, ever since he was a little child. Jesus said, that the Jew has one more thing to do, that Jesus knows he has not yet done, and that is to sell everything he has and give money to the poor, also to follow His lead.I was greatly shocked with the conditions he gave, for I myself would be so sad if I ever do such things. Just think of how I got it, and all the hard work I invested on all my riches. Of course, the reaction from the Jew was expected. He had a grimaced look upon his face, but another butted in the conversation, saying that who will be saved?

Peter reacted, saying how he left his home and family just to follow Jesus, and Jesus assured him that those who stay with him will receive the riches in heaven, along with the eternal life.

Then it had me thinking, that we really cannot serve two masters. (1) We must choose only one, that will be the center of our attention. We should make that choice wisely, so that we will never regret in the end. It is a one shot deal that we should never miss, and as of now, I really dont know on where to side. Corruption is evident, and I believed that this Jew already made something wrong, for no once could be that pure. I am really sorry that I could not choose between money and God, for I needed them both to sustain the family. I am ashamed of myself at this point in time for I am a prodigal Son of God.

(1) Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

Women at the tomb

The great comeback.

Why are you looking among the dead for one who is alive?

It was a gloomy day, and everyone has been sad. The days would never be the same again. The one that we thought would save us, feels like He abandoned us. I am starting to think that he was never true. He was never the savior, he was never the Messiah. It came to a point that I am thinking that all of it was just a lie, moreover, a dream that I have to wake up upon to.

Sunday morning, specifically at dawn, I was with my friends, Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and many more other women went to the tomb with the spices that we prepared. (1) We were horrified to find out that the stone was rolled out of the entrance, we entered and we got a lot more scared to find out that the body of Jesus was missing!! Two men with shimmering clothes then appeared, saying that we should not look for something that is not dead there. He then enumerated what happened, saying something about the prophecy

Then I realized something. It was the words that Jesus told us, that He will be rising from the dead. (1) We hurriedly went to the apostles and disciples, and while panting, we told them about the miraculous event.Nevertheless, they almost did not believe us. Then I remembered that we were just women. Women could never be taken seriously and could never be valued at this community. We are just poor, humble women, not expecting anything, mostly suspected of blasphemy or violence by others. (2) It was a sad thought, since God had chosen us, but we were almost voiceless.

Only Peter was strong enough to believe, and went fast to the tomb, where he saw the remains, the grave clothes, but Jesus was not there. He came back to us, rather amazed by this happening, and waited for Jesus to appear in front of us.

(1) Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary(2) Geneva Study Bible

REACTION

Well, it was a tiring but good experience to write narratives regarding the life of our Savior, Jesus Christ. I really do not know if I did the right thing, nevertheless, I know that I put a lot of effort on it. I know that my writing style is somehow inadequate, but it will not be me if I changed it to something that is out of my league.

First that I did was run though the different verses that was assigned to us by Sister Sol, so that I could have an idea on what I will do. Then I decided to pick six, since I know that the baptismal account is really brief and precise. I automatically did not chose the Passion accounts, since Im really scared of that part and it really hurts for me to imagine that I was in that scene. I cannot endure the detailed parts of the pain and suffering that Jesus went through.

It was hard since it was set centuries ago, wherein there was no technology. I needed thorough research just to find commentaries that I will understand, since some are too deep for my liking. Some commentaries were really long, like the ones form Matthew Henry, while some just provide basic information. Some did it verse by verse, while some had it done by grouping them in stories.

There were many informative things that I found out during the course of this workload. I have proven some of the misconceptions that were wrong, some interesting ones, and some that were right all along. One thing I noticed was that these commentaries are much longer than the Bible accounts, or maybe its just because I used two simple forms of Bible, one with the Todays English Version, and the other one was Good News Translation.

It was rather hard to internalize to be an eye witness on the said events. First and for most, I thought of doing it as some kind of dream, but I realized that it will be hard since it really happened, so I opted to be one of the disciples of Christ. The first one was the hardest to make, since the setting was somewhere in the manger. I really could not figure out what I was supposed to do, but I still made it.

The part that I think I really felt that I was involve was the last one, the resurrection of Jesus. It seems that I was really a part of it, and I really felt the emotions that was on it. Being a woman at that time was really hard, for as we all know, they are under a patriarchal system.

All in all, I had fun with what I did and I had a good reflection on what the life of Jesus was all about. It was a life full of events that were majestic, sad, happy, tragic and all other adjectives that you could think of. It was a wonderful adventure to be with Jesus, to be with His side, and to involve myself in something so extraordinary.