Friday, 1st of June 2018

Mark 11:11-26

Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple area. He looked around at everything and, since it was already late, went out to Bethany with the Twelve. 
The next day as they were leaving Bethany he was hungry.
Seeing from a distance a fig tree in leaf, he went over to see if he could find anything on it. When he reached it he found nothing but leaves; it was not the time for figs. 
And he said to it in reply, "May no one ever eat of your fruit again!" And his disciples heard it. 
They came to Jerusalem, and on entering the temple area he began to drive out those selling and buying there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves.
He did not permit anyone to carry anything through the temple area. 
Then he taught them saying, "Is it not written: 'My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples'? But you have made it a den of thieves."
The chief priests and the scribes came to hear of it and were seeking a way to put him to death, yet they feared him because the whole crowd was astonished at his teaching. 
When evening came, they went out of the city. 
Early in the morning, as they were walking along, they saw the fig tree withered to its roots. 
Peter remembered and said to him, "Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered." 
Jesus said to them in reply, "Have faith in God. 
Amen, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it shall be done for him. 
Therefore I tell you, all that you ask for in prayer, believe that you will receive it and it shall be yours. 
When you stand to pray, forgive anyone against whom you have a grievance, so that your heavenly Father may in turn forgive you your transgressions."

Source: https://dailygospel.org/M/AM/

Analysis

It seems that it is obvious for me that I won't have any easy passages. Today's passage brings us the infamous fig tree curse, where Jesus, for some reason, cursed a fig tree. Now I would happily interpret this passage in a mere metaphorical sense, but since this actually happened, I'm forced to interpret this in both a literal and metaphorical sense. And luckily for us, the curse of the fig tree is the first part of the passage, let's begin. The passage opens up saying Jesus was hungry and about to leave to Bethany. He saw a fig tree, and seeing that it isn't having fruits, because it's not the time for it to bear fruits, Jesus perhaps got mad, and cursed the fig tree to never bear fruits again. Though His curse is a little bit too effective, because it killed of the tree completely down to its roots. Why would He do such a thing? There is a clue though, but's in the later half of the passage, and since the next part is just as interesting, we'll keep it for later.

This passage also contains the infamous scene of Jesus unleashing His righteous wrath upon the Holy Temple, as the people there were desecrating it by turning it into a market. If we want to look at this from a humanist perspective and relate it to His fig tree curse, it may seem that Jesus is simply not in a good mood. But of course, we all know that's a lazy interpretation of the gospel, we want to know what message is Jesus trying to say. Well this scene is actually quite easy to interpret, Jesus is mad that the people at the temple isn't taking God seriously. And while yes the usage of a temple to be a place specific for worship may seem odd in our understanding, it still makes sense. God isn't someone you can reach when you're very busy, you need concentration, and silence, so it makes sense to make a place specific for that purpose, not because the place is holy, but because it is designated for communication with the Lord.

Now, why Jesus got mad at this whole ordeal is obvious, the riff raff in the temple is misusing and abusing the temple, which should be a place of solace and prayer, is turned into a chaotic mess. They are disrespecting God, and thus themselves, and they are doing it in the worst ways possible. Now, I personally get quite upset whenever my colleagues in school gets noisy in the chapel and the church. Feeling angry or mad because of this is quite normal. But we know that Jesus must have known the truth of God as well, and thus Jesus is also mad because these thieves, as He described them, shows a blatant ignorance and apathy for themselves, they show that they simply do not care about themselves, only the physical sensations of the flesh. What does this mean for us? Simple, don't mix prayer with other activities, there's a time and place for God, and a time and place for trading. Oh, not to mention that the thieves also disrespect others who wish to pray, in peace. So, moral of the story? Respect God, don't mix God with other stuff, if it's the time and place for God, then devote it to God only, and respect others who actually cares about the truth.

After that infamous scene, Jesus and His disciples encountered the fig tree, only this time it's dead, withered to the roots. This is where Jesus said something that may give us a slight clue to why He would banish an innocent plant from this earth. According to Christ Himself, He is trying to demonstrate the power of faith, prayer, and of course freedom. As He continues with talking about telling a mountain to be lifted up and be thrown into the sea. Of course we shouldn't consider His words literally, as that would simply create chaos. What He wishes to say that when we pray, we must have faith in God, technically in ourselves, and that if we truly believe in what we wish, it will be done. This shows the power of the human consciousness, and the power of consciousness in general, and shows our position as the controllers of the universe. If we truly desire something, and we believe it truly, it can happen. So, what about the fig tree? Well Jesus is just trying to demonstrate the powers of desire and the consciousness. Or that is demonstrating the scope of such power, it doesn't only give life, it can also take away life. Now, we have no idea whether the fig tree is secretly revived or not, but I'd like to bet so. Jesus isn't someone to take away life just to impress His disciples. Of course, for the very least, it wasn't anything worse that Jesus killed, it could've been a human being, but then again, we have no idea whether plants are conscious are no, do we?

I have read other interpretations of this stunt, where it seems that Jesus is stressing one of His parables, but notice that He doesn't actually say it. He's just demonstrating the powers of desire and prayer and faith, which He actually talks about. And I analyze passages based on what is in that passage alone. We may take this as a metaphor for something from another passage, but I'm sure it wasn't Jesus desired message. Now, Jesus slips in a short message, repeating His common and core message of forgiveness. As He said, "When you stand to pray, forgive anyone against whom you have a grievance, so that your heavenly Father may in turn forgive you your transgressions." Basically, we must forgive each other, and what about God not forgiving us if we don't forgive others? Well, it's quite obvious really, remember my concept of the trinity, and that God encompasses all? To forgive others is to forgive the self, and if we do not forgive others, then God, ourselves, does not forgive ourselves. That sounds weird, but, it works. I believe that's all for now, have a nice day.

Thursday, 31st of May 2018

Luke 1:39-56

Mary set out in those days and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, 
where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 
When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit, 
cried out in a loud voice and said, "Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 
And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. 
Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled."
And Mary said: "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my savior. 
For he has looked with favor on his lowly servant; 
from this day all generations will call me blessed.
The Almighty has done great things for me, 
and holy is his name.
He has mercy on those who fear him 
in every generation.
He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart.
He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things; 
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel , 
remembering his promise of mercy,
The promise he made to our fathers, 
to Abraham and to his descendants forever."
Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home. 

Source: https://dailygospel.org/M/AM/

Analysis

Today's analysis is no less easy than yesterday, perhaps it's much more complicated than yesterday. As today we are confronted with a passage that involves a topic that to be honest, I have never thought of before, the birth of Christ. Looking back to the story, I fear that this topic might be the hardest to unravel, as it is presented in a way that it seems incredibly literal. However, there will come a time where it shall be unraveled. For now, we'll decipher what we can decipher. The passage describes Mary's visit to her relative, Elizabeth. Elizabeth herself was pregnant with a boy, that is John the baptist which will baptize Jesus Himself, another complicated topic. They then exchange a conversation while praising God, let's see what they're saying.

Elizabeth opens the exchange by praising Mary, with a sentence that we can of course find in the prayer of Hail Mary. Notice how Elizabeth calls Mary the "mother of my Lord", this is referencing to the fact that Mary will become the mother of Christ, which is the Lord. Elizabeth knew this because Gabriel told her most likely. It is also mentioned that John the baptist in his mother's womb leaped in joy at the presence of, not Mary, but Jesus in Mary's womb. This story will serve to complicate our interpretations of the Gospel, as this is another evidence of Jesus-centric belief. If we are to believe that Jesus is a metaphor, then we should be prepared to examine Mary as well.

Mary then responds by praising God, saying that God has "looked with favor on his lowly servant," and also saying some sentences that is related to the paradox I mentioned yesterday. However this part also paints God as a ruthless ruler, that "has shown might with his hand, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart." It almost looks like that God is punishing the sinners, of course in the historical context, the low classes are the sinful people, but in today's context, we know that the elites are often the true sinners. And talking about taking down the elite class, this reminds me of communism, but that's a topic of another day.

So, does this passage brings down Christianity as it shows Mary describing God as someone who would serve the low people and punish the elites? Even when Jesus said to love thy neighbors as you love thyself? Of course not, that's ridiculous, as upon further inspection of the last part of Mary's praise towards God, Mary's praise started to become ethnic-centralized. Mentioning Israel and Abraham, referencing to the old testament, saying "The promise he made to our fathers." Again, if you've read my rants on religion, God, and atheism, you'll know that I don't trust some religions because they are so focused on their ethnic culture and tradition, such as Judaism and Islam. Then how do you explain this weird passage?

It's not that hard actually, Mary was still Jewish, and had Jewish beliefs, which is why she's quite focused on her nation. But look anywhere else, and you won't see Jesus being radically supportive of Israel or the Jews, after all He's not here for just the Jews, He's here for the world. In fact, Judas was upset that Jesus wasn't the prophesied messiah. Or realize that the people of Zion is still waiting for the true messiah. So in fact, the reason Mary said this is because she's Jewish, she, like others thought that Jesus was the prophesied messiah of the Jews, and not the world. Perhaps we can say Jesus is a messiah, but not in the way Jews wanted it to be. Anyway, I still find it hard to believe that there would be a nation that is "chosen" by God, that's favoritism and God doesn't show favoritism. I believe this is enough for today, see you tomorrow.

Wednesday, 30th of May 2018

Mark 10: 32-45

The disciples were on the way, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus went ahead of them. They were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. Taking the Twelve aside again, he began to tell them what was going to happen to him. 

"Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and hand him over to the Gentiles 

who will mock him, spit upon him, scourge him, and put him to death, but after three days he will rise." 

Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him and said to him, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." 

He replied, "What do you wish (me) to do for you?" 

They answered him, "Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left." 

Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I drink or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?"

They said to him, "We can." Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink, you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; 

but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared." 

When the ten heard this, they became indignant at James and John. 

Jesus summoned them and said to them, "You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt.

But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; 

whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. 

For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many." 

Source: https://dailygospel.org/M/AM/

Analysis

We start our journey of biblical analysis with quite a complex passage. This passage has multiple messages, and thus I shall break it down one by one. And pardon me for copying a passage that doesn't include the verses. First for all, the passage opens by describing how Jesus and His disciples were walking towards Jerusalem, notice how it mentions the fear of the followers. I tried looking for the previous verses, but there's no explanation. If anyone knows why the followers are afraid, you may share your thoughts. Jesus then told His twelve disciples of the prophecy of His death, saying that the Son of Man shall be handed over and condemned to death. The prophecy itself is straightforward, and we know that the Son of Man refers to Jesus Himself, but for those who have read my analysis on the Trinity, you know what Jesus actually represents. And for you who haven't read it, I suggest you read it first, here: http://ignasrantsandideas.blogspot.com/2018/05/redefining-trinity.html. Now moving on.

We know that Jesus represents humanity as a whole, He wishes to say that we are all man, but also God, Jesus is trying to deliver the meaning of humanity, the true essence of mankind. However, this puts His supposed sacrifice, and eventually my entire theory into question. As how does His death fit in into the idea of Jesus representing humanity? Perhaps unless death here has another meaning, I can't say much. If I have an idea, I'll probably write it somewhere else. But anyway, since we reached a dead end with Jesus' death, we'll move on to the next part. James and John asked Jesus if they can be on His left and right side with Jesus in heaven. Jesus responds by saying that these two boys have no idea what they are asking, and asks whether they are ready for the cup and to be baptized. Let's see what this part actually means.

Sitting besides Jesus is a metaphor for glory, but in my opinion, it also means salvation and truth. The cup Jesus is talking about is the cup of suffering. So we can infer that Jesus is saying that we have to be ready to suffer to reach for the truth, or to reach glory. And we must be ready for all kinds of pain and torture if we wish to live for the truth. The baptism part is quite tricky, as again, I still have no idea what it means in context of my interpretations. So we'll save it for another time. In the next part, Jesus explains how governments and leaders rule with an iron fist, but He said that the disciples must act that way. They must instead be humble if they want to be praised, and they must serve if they wish to be the leader. This part is fairly simple, but I shall explain it nevertheless.

What Jesus is saying is technically a contradictory paradox. As He said that if we wish to be great, we must be a servant, and if we wish to be the first among others, we must be a slave among them. The overall meaning behind this part is that greatness is not found in ruling over others or selfishness, but greatness is found in serving others and loving others. Jesus is simply repeating the second most important law, that is to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. In this passage, Jesus is trying to focus that to be a respectable, honorable, and great person, we must serve others and help them. Essentially, being heroes for others, acting selflessly for others without any perceived benefits. Jesus finally said that He is also there to serve, and to be sacrificed for many, this shall be our greatest puzzle in our analysis of Christianity. That's all for now, I hope you enjoyed.

Introduction

This blog is going to be supporting my project to analyze and uncover the metaphors and real meanings of Christian doctrines. People who are not familiar with me should read my first blog first, which is this ignasrantsandideas.blogspot.com . I will try to analyze daily biblical passages and see if they have another meaning. I won't analyze passages from outside the gospel, as that would require heavy research. The Gospel however, can stand alone, and thus is easier to analyze, furthermore the Gospel is the backbone of Christian faith, the post Jesus books being human interpretation and the old testament just Jewish remains. I will try to do this daily, but it will start tomorrow. One might ask, why make another blog and not just write it in the old blog? My answer is it would be messy, and my old blog also discusses other stuff and not just religion. So, enjoy, if you exist, theoretical and hypothetical reader.