I just finished reading your gospel. I really appreciated how you point out Jesus' divinity in terms of His justice, and how He mingled justice with mercy and compassion throughout His ministry.
The first time that really stood out to me was 3:5, when Jesus "looked around at [the Pharisees] with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts." He was grieved that their hearts were calloused, to the point that they condemned God for helping a man, and angered that they saw no harm in their legalism. In reading this story, I was convicted. I wish I could say that I am always grieved at hard-heartedness and angered at injustice, but I can't. May God help me love justice and display justice as Christ did.
In chapter five, you told the story of Jesus healing the demon-possessed man. I research it and found out that two thousand pigs in today's market would go for $178,000. Though money has different rates now, I'm sure Jesus would still heal that man. You demonstrated Jesus valued the man more than the monetary profit.
In chapter six, you told the story of Jesus walking on the water. I must admit, I'm a little confused why Jesus wanted to pass the disciples by while they were in the boat. Was it a punishment? "For they had not understood about the loaves, because their hearts were hardened." (v. 52) Whatever His purpose was in trying to skirt them, His compassion in this story is amazing, for He saw their fear and instead of chastising them (like in other places when they were afraid with little faith), He calmed their fears, entered the boat, and calmed the storm. What a perfect demonstration of mercy!
By the way, in regards to 6:52 , why did you put that verse there? It doesn't really "flow" well. What purpose did you have in putting it there instead of a few verses before where it would have made sense?
Anyway, thanks for sharing with me what Christ did. You reopened my eyes to the justice that Christ demonstrated, and the mercy and compassion He had on those around Him.
Sincerely,
Anya
