My Favorite Verses - Vol III (Aug 16 to Nov 16)
A collection of brief commentaries on some of the Bible’s most beloved (and least understood) passages, parables, verses & sayings
A collection of brief commentaries on some of the Bible’s most beloved (and least understood) passages, parables, verses & sayings
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John 20:29 … To See; <strong>to</strong> Believe<br />
(11/04/20<strong>16</strong>)<br />
“Blessed are those who have not Seen<br />
and yet have come <strong>to</strong> Believe.”<br />
~ Jesus (John 20:29)<br />
As with any quote where certain terms have been unusually capitalized, there<br />
are multiple meanings at play in this verse. On the one hand, it superficially<br />
means what most Paulinist “Christians” believe it <strong>to</strong> mean – namely, that those<br />
who have a mental faith in the resurrection of Jesus Christ (&/or profess a verbal<br />
belief in the same) will receive a reward for said subservient allegiance. Of course,<br />
this interpretation directly violates most if not all of the primary teachings of Jesus<br />
in the Gospels – those about himself (see Mark 10:18), those pertaining <strong>to</strong> his<br />
“Kingdom of Heaven” (see Luke 17:20-21), as well as those that explain how we<br />
can attain entrance <strong>to</strong> that Kingdom‟s “salvation” (see John 13:15-17) …<br />
And hence, the capitalizations of the words “Seen” and “Believe” herein –<br />
reminders A) that it is not enough (indeed that it is essentially irrelevant) <strong>to</strong> tangibly<br />
perceive the miracles that do ensue from deeds of selfless Love – that we must<br />
only See the True Self of the other beneath their behaviors <strong>to</strong> easily choose <strong>to</strong><br />
“Love the enemy” therein, and B) that it is not enough (indeed that it is just as<br />
irrelevant) for us <strong>to</strong> mentally believe in the supposed divinity of Jesus or even the<br />
ultimate awesomeness of his heavenly Father – that we must only Believe in Love<br />
<strong>to</strong> attain his Salvation -- and that <strong>to</strong> Believe in Love we must have the courage <strong>to</strong><br />
enliven Love; especially when we least wish <strong>to</strong> do so, and especially for those<br />
deemed by others <strong>to</strong> be least deserving of the same.<br />
And it is this latter<br />
reminder that illuminates<br />
the far deeper Meaning<br />
herein – namely, that we<br />
are truly blessed when we<br />
bless others, and that we<br />
most potently bless others<br />
when we actively Love<br />
them (i.e. when we actively<br />
Believe in Jesus‟ Way), even<br />
without recognizing them<br />
as the innately perfect<br />
beings they are (i.e. humbly<br />
– and thereby accurately --<br />
Seeing them).<br />
107
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