In the past two readings we have found out that the Kingdom is not seen but within us and now that the Kingdom is entered in a fashion similar to a child. It can be there within us but still we have to enter it. How many is it within that don't enter it?
The judge avenges speedily but does he find faith? The Pharisee prayed considering himself righteous but is not justified and becomes abased. What is the context between the two parables? Faith. Not in who you are, but, in who Jesus is. He avenges many. He justifies only the faithful in Him. Add the third parable and we have like the faith of a child.
There is a point in each of us where what we think that we are able to do for the Lord is tested. Jesus knows this point well. For some it may be riches, for others it may be personally objectionable deeds like helping a stranded Samaritan, for others it is just letting go and trusting the Lord in the most desperate of situations. Much of the difficulty is in our conception of "doing for th Lord". What can we actually do that He has not done rather for us? We each have this point I believe; it is all in how we look at things, who is doing what for whom.
If you had lived in the time John had reported this, you could have asked Malchus or his decendents "did this happen?" and they would have told you. His name was given (as were many others) by John so that you could have checked. Chances are that Malchus could have been found in a local congregation for John speaks as if any one reading this would have known who Malchus was.
John has a literary habit of speaking of himself in the third person. For instance he calls himself "the one whom Jesus loved". "Another disciple" could be John, it could be James as well. John is no doubt calling attention to Peter purposely by this literary technique however.
Is the priest inquiring as to the names and whereabouts of these other perpetrators for further intent? Is this why Jesus is slapped by the guard for His vague and secretive answer?
This is the first of three times that the Lord appears to Abraham (kjv@Genesis:17:1kjv@Genesis:18:1). If no one can look upon the Father and live the Lord must be the Son or else this is figurative. Jacob also has an appearance but, specifically states that he saw the Lord face to face kjv@Genesis:32:30 .
The subject 'greatest' is often brought up and is often tied to child like qualities. Not child like as in play, but, child like as in service/respect to others. Perhaps one can be playful and imaginative in service, but, certainly not the other way around serving child play/imagination.
2012 - pBiblx2 Field Wise Bible System Version 2.0.9d - GPL3
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