The Cleverness of God's Timing?

[abucs]

A few scattered thoughts I’d appreciate feedback on.

In coming to the Chosen people while they were under military occupation, was the message of Jesus one which could avoid much of the direct challenge to existing Jewish Law, hierarchy and customs and therefore be received more easily?

I’m thinking that because the well defined Jewish Law and authority was superseded by the Romans at that time, the Jews might have already naturally developed an idea and mindset of the external state law - Roman, but allegiance to another communal spiritual law - Jewish.

What do you think? Did this make it easier to accept God’s invitation for the Kingdom of Heaven, not of this world?

When we all look to the story of Jesus in the NT, can we not help think of God’s kingdom as separate from civil law? Is this not hugely significant?

Also, did this historical beginning shape the way the Christian message was to viewed as it spread out across the globe?

Not a challenge to existing state laws, but an allegiance to a communal spiritual law. Is this one of the reasons the message has been so successful in the last 2000 years? Is it still a strength in authoritarian countries like the People’s Republic of China?

Thanks.

 

[sirach2v4]

I can only answer your question in view of the outcome of the circumstances – that one is committed to God under whatever circumstances one is in. It is harsh but not unprecedented (from examples in scripture itself) to be where the government is hostile to one or more religions.

It is very difficult to be a Christian in the Middle East, under the threats of conversion to Islam or death that many are facing.

Christ’s “hour” came under hostile circumstances. We are called to suffer with him. It is a difficult burden or cross to carry.

The statement of allegiance to God in Dt 6:4ff is applicable. “Hear O Israel the Lord our God is Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength resources, including money ].”

The interpretation within Judaism of “with all your soul” is to love God even to the point of death. Likewise, the first commandment requires worship of God alone.

You don’t hear discussions in Catholicism about what to do when you have conflicting ethical dilemmas, but this occurs in Judaism. They count 613 commandments in the Torah. I can never seem to remember all the four that must be obeyed, even if you have to break all the others to keep those four. One is worshiping God alone and no other gods, one is not committing adultery [which is much like the first command], one must not commit murder, and then there’s one more that I can never remember. But, you must keep all these four, even to the point of death.

timing? These were laid down pretty early.It was great timing – God’s timing.