>>> Continued from previous message

>LL>So what?  Aside from one instance where Jesus doodles in the sand,
>LL>where is evidence that Jesus could read and write?  Doodling pictures
>LL>in the sand is hardly what anybody would consider reading and writing.

GG>Doodling pictures?

Seems like it.  Although he may have been simply doodling, with no clear
picture of anything in mind.  Such doodling is an old Middle Eastern
tradition.  Not just among Jews.  But given the passage, it seems likely
Jesus may have actually drawn a picture.  Or possibly two pictures.

GG>We are given the impression Jesus wrote something, potentially names.

Why would Jesus write down names, if any other kind of writing?
Who else would be able to read such names?  Who else would be able
to read anything?  Aside from pictures, that is.  Jesus was not
exactly addressing a college audience.  More like a group of old
men intent on stoning a young woman to death.

GG>No one really knows what was written, but apparently that got the
GG>point across whatever he scribed in that sand.

It is a very interesting passage.  Most folks got it the first time.
But not everybody.  So Jesus had to draw another picture.  That picture
left no doubt, and the rest easily grasped what Jesus was getting at.

GG>If not literate (and I believe He was) there was at least great skill
GG>in communicating with man.

Whether Jesus could, or could not, read and/or write is a matter
of conjecture, or personal opinion, there being no way of knowing
for sure one way or the other.  The gospel accounts say little,
and provide only scanty evidence of "maybe" he could read and/or
write.  Nothing that would constitute proof beyond a reasonable
doubt, or proof the average person would be led to believe Jesus
could in fact read and/or write.

Communicating with man, revealing religious truths.
That is what his public ministry was all about.
Not whether Jesus could, or could not, read and/or write.

Was it necessary for Jesus to have been a man of letters, a truly
educated man, well-versed and author of texts, in order to present
his message to the world?  I don't think so.

Unfortunately, not everybody listened, or wanted to listen.
Some folks actually thought he was a politician, trying to become
a real Messiah, in some crazy idea to lead a Jewish nation against
the hated Romans.

But that is not why Jesus was pegged to a tree and left to die.

Notice the inscription on top of the tree, left there for all
to read.  Notice who read it.  Notice who asked to have it taken
down.  Notice who refused to have it taken down.

Who was being dissed?  And why?

--Lee


 * SLMR 2.1a * This old dumb piano player just can't figure it out.

--- Maximus 3.01