Christian Message Boards: Two shepherds

This is topic Two shepherds - a study in contrasts in forum End Time Events In The News at Christian Message Boards.

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Posted by helpforhomeschoolers (Member # 15) on :

John 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

These were the words of Jesus to the apostles that he would leave behind. I was thinking on this today, thinking about Jesus, and how he died, thinking about his being buried in a borrowed tomb, thinking about the apostles and how they like Jesus died without honor.

This was the life that Jesus said the apostles could expect....

John 15:20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

This is how Paul saw himslef and his fellow laborers:

1 Corinthians 4:9 For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.

1 Corinthians 4:13 Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.

Think of Jesus on the cross, the scene...picture the crowd that came to see; Think of the deaths of the apostles, what do you think it looked like. We didnt have cameras to record these events, but we do have a picture in our minds.

I find that an ironic contrast to the picture of the death of the one who today is supposed to be the apostolic sucessor.......

This is the headline from MSN:

"World mourns as pope’s body lies in state "

Here are some of the comments from around the world...comments of the world:

“The Jewish people will remember the pope, who bravely put an end to historic injustice by officially rejecting prejudices and accusations against Jews,” Israel’s President Moshe Katsav told Israel Radio.

Sheik Salah Keftaro, a prominent Syrian Islamic cleric, said: “Muslims and Christians alike have lost the pope, and we are in a deep sadness for his loss.”

“His Holiness Pope John Paul II was a determined and deeply spiritual minded person for whom I had great respect and admiration. His experience in Poland, then a communist country, and my own difficulties with communists, gave us an immediate common ground” — Dalai Lama

“It is with extreme sadness that we hear of the passing of the leader of the world’s Catholics, His Holiness Pope John Paul II, who commanded the three paths of religious learning, philosophical thought and poetical and artistic creativity.” — President of Iran Mohammad Khatami.

“John Paul II was one of the greatest men of the last century. Perhaps the greatest.” — Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger.

He was “a great religious figure who devoted his life to defending the values of peace, freedom, justice and equality for all races and religions, as well as our people’s right to independence.” — Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas.

“Humanity will preserve an emotional memory of the tireless work of His Holiness John Paul II in favor of peace, justice and solidarity among all people,” Castro said.

I found this statement while accurate, profoundly sad....

“The Catholic Church has lost its shepherd. The world has lost a champion of human freedom and a good and faithful servant of God has been called home. — U.S. President George W. Bush.

I found this too a very sad statement:

“The greatest and maybe the only authority is gone. An era is over forever but his wisdom will also last forever.” -- Tadeusz Mazowiecki, Poland's first non-Communist prime minister.

Two Shepherds, two churches, two authorities....a very interesting study in contrasts.....

John 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

Posted by SoftTouch (Member # 2316) on :

Very Profound Post Sis

Every time I've pulled up NetZero, the starting page has the headline "The World Mourns The Pope." I shake my head... I even pointed this out to Ian and Steven as we heard it on Fox News... "The World Mourns"... very telling indeed.

You've put into words what I can't seem to. Thank you [Smile]

Posted by hardcore (Member # 4492) on :

Great post H4HS.

It reminds me of a chapter in a book I just finished which talks about how fitting the term "The Lamb" is for Jesus. It talked about how He had the disposition of a lamb, was a shorn lamb, a silent lamb, a spotless lamb, and ultimately a substitute lamb.

When you really think about that in depth, it certainly contrasts greatly with any human "shepherd".

Any time the world loves something or someone, there's usually a darn good chance that a bible believer should beware - and be aware!

That's why I like this quote so much:
"That very church which the world likes best is sure to be that which God abhors." .... Charles Haddon Spurgeon, July 1859.

Posted by whitesands777 (Member # 3424) on :

HFHS, that is an excellent observation...

Posted by TEXASGRANDMA (Member # 847) on :

The world did not mourn when Jesus died, but they will greatly mourn when Jesus and His Church return after the tribulation on white horses to judge the world.

Posted by SoftTouch (Member # 2316) on :

quote:
Originally posted by TEXASGRANDMA:
The world did not mourn when Jesus died,

Those were my exact thoughts as I read and heard the headlines. [Frown]