Sep 16

  • dzimmerman1
    dzimmerman1 added contributions: Happy Nihilists and A Great Adventure Awaits
  • dzimmerman1
    dzimmerman1 added a text contribution Kicked Out of a Superbian Nest
    The ruler presumably has just seen Jesus show uncommon affection to the children of his community, and he suspects that this teacher might be able to address his aching sense that, despite his powerful position in the community, despite his religious fastidiousness, despite his enormous assets, all is not yet well for him. He is looking for Jesus to tell him what’s left to accomplish: “Good teacher,... Read more »
  • dzimmerman1
    dzimmerman1 added a text contribution Playing the Martyr
    In a socially brilliant move—one of the few we see him actually pull off—Simon Peter hedges his bets. “Master,” he says, with perhaps a hint of sarcasm, “we’ve been fishing hard all night and haven’t caught even a minnow.” Get it, teacher? Leave fishing to the fishermen! “But if you say so, I’ll let out the nets.” See that, crowd? I’m accommodating, I have respect for the religious authorities, I... Read more »
  • dzimmerman1
    dzimmerman1 added a text contribution New Neighbor
    If Jesus came to my world, I expect he would discover that I, like the rest of the world, “didn’t even notice … didn’t want him” (John 1:9–10). Once we had made the proper introductions, of course, I might feel differently, probably conflicted. On the one hand, this guest is important; this guest improves my social standing. To have the Son of God in my home tells the world that I am important, yo,... Read more »
  • dzimmerman1
    dzimmerman1 added contributions: I'm Important, Yo!, Too Important to Be Wrong, An Intuitive Paradox and An Intuitive Paradox

Sep 15