After reading this section on Christianity, I realize there was a lot that I did not know.
The one thing that was the newest to me was the story of Christ and the Devil. They use
the wilderness as a place of testing Jesus, in preparation for the mission that lies before
him. The testing comes in threes, each test inviting Jesus to presume on his status as Son
of God. In anticipation of the faithful obedience that will lead to his death and
resurrection, Jesus resists each test with scriptural pronouncements that rely on the word
and promise of God. Ending with angels coming to be there for Jesus due to his obedient
faithfulness. It amazes me that with all the tests Jesus faced, he managed to stay loyal.
The next reading that was new to me was the reading from Mark 8-9. A week after Jesus
told his disciples that he would suffer, be killed, and raised to life. He took Peter, James,
and John up a mountain to pray. While they were praying, his appearance changed into a
glorified form, and his clothing became white. Moses and Elijah appeared and talked
with Jesus about his death that would soon occur. Peter offered to put up three shelters
for them. Soon a cloud appeared with a voice saying, “This is My Son, whom I have
chosen, whom I love; listen to him!” The cloud disappeared, Moses and Elijah
disappeared, and Jesus was alone with his disciples who were still very scared. They went
down to the mountain, and Jesus warned them not to tell anyone what they saw. I believe
the purpose of this was, so that his disciples could gain a greater understanding of who
Jesus actually was. This is why I really liked this poem, because I thought the way Jesus
portrayed himself to his disciples was very interesting.
The last thing that I thought was most interesting to me was the story of Saul. He was
making threats against the disciples of the lord, threatening to arrest any followers of
Jesus in the city of Damascus. While on the Damascus Road, Saul was struck down by a
blinding light. Saul heard a voice saying, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” It was
Jesus talking to him. Saul was blinded, and was led by hand into Damascus to a man