The entire universe, and our place in it, is beyond mysterious…
so utterly inexplicable that we are at a complete loss– no matter how impeccable our logic or wild our imagination– to explain the existence of a single proton, much less the purpose of a trillion galaxies.
And so, I declare it time that we all admit our profound ignorance regarding such matters– and recognize the honesty, integrity, and humility contained in three simple words: “I don’t know.”
Absolutely agree with you, Nan! We need not solve the mystery in order to live the mystery with purpose and passion. Thanks and Peace.
Not only that, but does it REALLY matter that we “don’t know”? In the big picture, we have little control over our genesis or our destiny. IOW, our lives will be what they will be.
I like it, Frank Well done.
Your resonance always means a lot, Mister Bill. Thanks and Peace
You are very right. We don’t Know… but I Believe. It gives me Hope and Freedom to believe God is watching out for us and helping us as we make it thru this life.
I appreciate your honesty in acknowledging your agnosticism.
BTW, I am curious about your usage of “Barabbas”. May I ask what the name means to you?
I have a page on my blog explaining, but Barabbas was the murderer/seditionist that was set free by Pilate at the choice of the People over the innocent Jesus. Barabbas was the one set free by the death of Christ and he lives because of Jesus’s sacrifice and resurrection. A two fold exchange happened. Death for life, and life for the living.
I am quite familiar with the story of Barabbas– a zealot whose main bag was meeting Roman oppression with guerilla warfare. As the story goes, he (rather than Jesus) was selected for release– by the Jews as was the Passover custom. And so, this is one of those Bible stories that has been used to justify antisemitism for centuries. I don’t understand the “guilt” you take upon yourself as described on your website.
Ah… we all have our stories, our pasts that are not what they should have been or what we would have liked in the light of current reflection. Suffice to say, I like many of us have “guilts” that only Christ could deal with. And I’m grateful that He continues to, though I probably won’t name them here.
I don’t understand how belief in Christ redeems things you are not proud of. Isn’t the only true contrition that which is made to the people you’ve wronged, not to some third party?
Yes, that is part of it. Contrition, apology, restitution if possible to those I have wronged. But ultimately I receive forgiveness and a New Life in Christ. I’m a new creation, and His Life lives and moves in me.
Would it surprise you Frank that I don’t believe that there really was such a custom? It was invented as part of the narrative to tell the story of the redemption of even a murderer and seditionist like Barabbas.
Without the custom, no choice, and therefore no need for Pilate to wash hands of the whole affair.
Narrative, brother. What we know of historical Pilate… he would neither have “washed his hands” of the situation nor would he have given into the demands of the Jews. Narrative for a purpose.