Spiritual Ponderings

Six days later, Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John , and brought them up on a high mountain by themselves. And He was transfigured before them. (Mark 9:2) When they came back to the disciples , they saw a large crowd around them, and some scribes arguing with them. (14) When He came into the house, His disciples began questioning Him privately, "Why could we not drive it out?" (28) But they kept silent, for on the way they had discussed with one another which of them was the greatest. (34) "For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good; but if the salt becomes unsalty, with what will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another ." (49-50) As I look at these verses I have been studying for several days now about worms, fire and now salt, I am beginning to see more and more that it is vital to keep the context in mind if I am to understand these things properly. Some of the greatest errors in Christianity...

I want to lay out a few of the themes and threads that I am starting to see emerge in my study of these parallel passages from Mark 9 and Isaiah 66. First I want to give some of the context and highlight some of the linking phrases that I am seeing here. "Be joyful with Jerusalem and rejoice for her, all you who love her; be exceedingly glad with her, all you who mourn over her, that you may nurse and be satisfied with her comforting breasts, that you may suck and be delighted with her bountiful bosom." For thus says the LORD, "Behold, I extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream; and you will be nursed, you will be carried on the hip and fondled on the knees . As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; and you will be comforted in Jerusalem." Then you will see this, and your heart will be glad , and your bones will flourish like the new grass; and the hand of the LORD will be made known to His servants,...