Tuesday, January 31, 2012

HESUS JOY CHRIST / Matthew's Two - Discussion of verse 12

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On this site there are almost all the blog posts in an easily accessible non-linear format, as well as all the animation dating back to 2008, and most of the other artwork and poetry.

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Since I get such a kick, still, out of blathering on about this stuff, here's the continuation of the discussion of HESUS JOY CHRIST / Matthew's Two !



Verse 12

12And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

from the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter Two, New International Version



Verse 12

12And being warmed in a dream they resode by another way .


from the text of the animation HESUS JOY CHRIST / Matthew's Two

written by R David Foster



Verse 12 Discussion


Where the Magi, or Wise Men, were warned in a dream, and therefore proceeded to avoid something, specifically what Herod might do, the three majestic daughters are warmed in a dream, and drawn toward a course of action, rather than seeking to avoid something. What they were drawn to was a different course from the one they were pursuing, and thereby lived differently than before. The Magi, on the other hand, simply chose a different route by which to return to their country. The majestic daughters have chosen a different way to live their lives.



“Return” versus “reside”, which in the past tense, rather than “resided” I made up the word “resode” as the past tense to “reside”. The Magi are traveling, returning to their home country, but the majestic daughters are home, where they reside, and living differently, by a different way. Surely the Magi are transformed by their experience, but the majestic daughters are far more transformed by their experience.



The majestic daughter on the left, is the married one, and she has chosen to repent, and try to address her marriage in a new, better way, and avoid any of the pitfalls she is already aware of, having fallen into them in the past. She holds onto her previous course, but adjusts it to avoid that which she has already become aware. She seeks the One in her marriage.



The majestic daughter on the right, the married elder, has chosen rebirth, as she maintains her course, through failure, and onto a new life, shepherding a new flock. For her, nothing has caused her to reconsider anything about her choices, and rather, she has met with failure and been transformed by circumstances around her, into a new kind of elder. She has been true to the end. She has held fast to her faith and inherent convictions, and witnessed the world around her change and open up to new opportunities, in a new world, with a new, more infinite understanding. She seeks the One in her ministry, as well as her marriage.



The majestic daughter in the middle, considers whether to choose repentance or rebirth. We do not know what her choice is or will be, but we know she has been presented with the choice. She seeks the One in her relationships but whether she does so by repenting, turning back and trying again, or rather by rebirth, holding fast to her convictions and faith regardless of the repercussions, we do not know.



This is the choice we are all faced with when our faith is challenged – do we change ourselves and maintain the course, or do we stand firm in our convictions, weathering the storm through to a new world, not bending to the influences around us but instead being swept up and whisked away in the resulting changes around us. This is death and rebirth, as opposed to repentance, this standing firm and being swept away.



Repentance is older than rebirth, traditionally, as John the Baptist was baptizing with water for repentance before Pentecost, the coming of the Holy Spirit. The two are different. This is stated clearly by John the Baptist himself, in Matthew chapter three, verse eleven :


“I baptize you with n water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with n the Holy Spirit and fire.”

n Or “in”

Matthew 3 : 11, New Revised Standard Version


Repentance is like a training ground for rebirth. Unless one is certain that they are correct, they would rather try to be more correct, than proceed in error. But once one is sure they are correct, the correct choice is rebirth, yet one may avoid death and rebirth at their own peril.

Although repentance is part of christianity, rebirth is its main teaching, as Jesus died on the cross and was reborn to new life. No christian can avoid rebirth any more than anyone can avoid death.



Consider the first martyr, Stephen, who was stoned as Saul watched over the coats of the crowd that stoned him. Stephen was full of the Holy Spirit – Acts 7, verse 55 “But filled with the Holy Spirit, he gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.” New Revised Standard Version. In the next verse he is actually quoted as saying so. Stephen stood firm to the end, and was accompanied by God at his end. He died. What was beyond death for him we do not know. This death was without rebirth in this world.



But there are many ends in this life, that go on to becoming beginnings as well as ends, and may foreshadow a beginning beyond one's end in this earthly life. Who's to know ? Nevertheless, we die to one life and begin another, as any child dies to childish behaviour and becomes an adult. It is the perseverance in spite of the consequences that may bring new opportunities, where other choices are sure to maintain the current situation. Look at Stephen Biko, of South Africa. His death resounded around the world and caused people to act differently than they would have otherwise.



Yet marriage offers new life, to those that persevere, and this is most pregnant with opportunity for those who persevere in spite of the consequences. If one is to die, let it be for marriage, as all of christianity points to the maintenance of marriage, and regardless of traditional religion, this union of male and female makes practical sense, that both genders are destined to participate in growth and improvement.



So if you are to repent, repent toward marriage; if you are to die, die for marriage; and if you are reborn, it is likely due to your marriage, not only of male and female, but of part and whole. And this view of the world allows for the greatest joy I have ever known.

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Sunday, January 29th, 2012

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