sharran

I think the reason it appears to be ridiculous is because, the potter already has a design in mind and knows what he wants to make. He has the skills to shape and make it according to his vision not the vision of the item being made. We as Chrisitans tend to question why we have some of the facial or bodily characteristics or features we have but, in reality scripture tells us that "we are fearfully and wonderfully made." Therefore we shouldn't question how God made us we should be grateful and give thanks.

The Commander said he was on neither side because, he was on the Lord's side. He was letting him know that he was not his enemy. He was sent by the Lord. Joshua felt at peace during this encounter once he knew that the Commander was sent by the Lord. The Lord is the Commander - in-chief of all. There was no reason to fear this gentlemen. After his encounter he was confident in knowing that the Lord was with him .

The Most High God to me means there is none other. He is it. He is the ultimate . He is the beginning and the ending there is no in between. He is greater than all things. You can't go above Him. He is the Supreme ruler of heaven and earth. He is just everything. No one can match Him. He is above all here and below. I plan to incorporate Him in my daily journey as I start my day I give thanks to Him for just being who He is . I worship Him as the maker , creator and the one who allowed me to breathe another day. I worship and thank Him daily as the one who watches over me as I sleep at night. I worship Him for watching over and caring for my family.

They both believed God Most High was/is the Creator of all things- heaven and earth (here and below). There is none higher or greater than the Most High God. He is ruler over all. King of kings , Lord of lords and God of gods.

Jesus suffered during his life and death in many ways- He came in the form of human flesh therefore , He was tempted in every aspect as a humans. Our flesh is weak. We want fulfillment of our fleshly desires gratifide however, this usually is in disobedience to God's way/will. Scripture tells us that the flesh is weak but, the mind is willing. This is always the battle we as humans face. Paul says it clearly something to the fact "The thing that I do I would not do and the thing I would not do is the very thing I do." Our mind,body and spirit are always at war. Jesus suffered from the persecution, jealousy of others and the disppointment from human expectation. We are likely to suffer the same things that Jesus did - but, on a lower scale. We are not the Savior or Messiah's that were spoken about nor did we come to fulfill the prophecy . We are brethern with Christ but, He is the first among many . He is the One who was "crowned with glory and honor, dominion and power. Everything under the sun is under His feet." There is nothing under our feet yet...We learn through the suffering we face. Suffering does have value. Jesus through His suffering received the highest name . The name above all names that every one shall call on to be saved. So yes suffering does have good value. When we live in a way to avoid all suffering we miss out on the lessons that life and experience is suppose to teach us.

In reading Matthew I was able to understand what the author was trying to convey that we must read , listen and comprehend what the the bible is saying . If we do not then what we hear just goes by the waist side and does not stick to us or keep us. Now when a trial comes up we are easily defeated and have not allowed the Word of God to keep us grounded.

The way the author describes Jesus we know that He is more special than any ordinary individual. There is no man/woman who can hold all six titles the author describes co- creator- we as human beings know that the world was created by God not by human hands. Genesis 1:1 tells us " In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God." Jesus was there in the beginning with God during the creation of mankind. Knowing this fact we can come to the conclusion that He is divine. The author lets us know that Jesus is the express image of God and the exact representation of God. He is the sustainer, preserver,heir,glory and co ruler as well. His sits at the right hand of the father making intercession for us. He is our mediator since God can not look on a sinful world he can not look directly on us. He looks to Jesus and we look to Jesus as our help. The son rules with the authority given to Him. He sustains us and holds us up when we fall and helps us press through our trials and tribulations.

I agree that the author is making a literal as well as a spiritual correlation when he references Jesus as 'Son'. Jesus is the first of many heirs born according to scripture. He is the exact image and likeness of God therefore, He is a perfect representation of Him in the flesh. As one comment stated and I am in agreement that Jesus stated - "He who has seen me has seen the father." In the biological sense children often have traits of their parents both mother and father. The author is showing that Jesus has traits and characteristics of his father biologically. This statement really can be taken literally or metaphorically depending if we are looking from the spiritual realm. A Son's words would have more weight than a prophet's because he is getting it directly from the source not second hand or guessing. "Jesus is the way. the truth, and the life". What he says is the truth. We either believe it or we don't. Scripture states " God is not a man that He should lie...."