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Ralph has covered the differences pretty thoroughly. As in all eye witness accountings what is verbalized or recorded by each often has differences - some minor and some major, depending on one's point of view - from each other. What catches the eye and mind of one may not even had been noticed or thought about by the other. Furthermore, if all accounts line up verbatim in every detail, the accounting may become suspect. My question, then, is: If the writers of the synoptics had a Q document as reference, might it not have been Mark's rendering? or at least might not Mark's gospel be the closest to Q? And, would this mean that Mark's is the most accurate?

Jesus' enemies were concerned that his disciples would come to the prepared tomb to steal his body away. It would seem that the chief priests, etc. had been closely watching and listening to Jesus for they seemed to understand to some extent the meaning of Jesus' teaching about his own resurrection. Even though they didn't believe that a resurrected Jesus was possible [nor any of his claims,] their influence [power?] amongst their community would be diminished or even trashed if the people believed that he had risen from the dead. For then, Jesus would be recognized as the Christ/Messiah. So they needed to ensure themselves from any unexpected outcome. Were they in for a surprise! Neither Jesus' enemies or his followers expected him to rise... if I was one of his followers at that time... neither would I.

Ralph asks two thought provoking questions above... The statement "I am" by Jesus reverberates throughout history. With those words, Jesus identifies himself as the great "I am" the one who spoke to Moses in Exodus 3 when he said "I am who I am... I am has sent me to you." "I am" created all that there was, and is, and will be. "I am" was there at the foundation of the universe and brought life forth from darkness and will continue to bring forth life... even after death... in the resurrection to come. Jesus, the Christ, is the one who raised the dead when he walked in human form on this earth, and promises that he will raise the dead at the last day. "[E]very one who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life." [John 6] Thanks be to God.

Darrell, Thank you for this. Well said. But, now I'm in the position that John Wesley wrestled with until the end of his life. I must ask myself, have I loved the Lord with all my heart, mind and soul? And, have I loved my neighbor as myself? Have I always prayed for my enemies? I could ask myself a great deal more questions of this ilk.... and, if I am honest with myself, I would have to answer "No, I haven't." If left there, I would surely be among the unrighteous, destined for Sheol. Oh, I may have done well in these from time to time but alas, I and like St. Paul, do the things that I don't want to do and don't do the things that I should.... But, thanks be to God, there is a way out of my trouble and that is the righteousness of Christ. It is the Christ's righteousness that is imputed to me, for I am justified - made right - by faith in Christ otherwise I'm stuck in the Law and in my sin and my failures. [Romans 5 & 8]

For the righteous: Resurrected to eternal life... At this point the question becomes: Who are the righteous & what makes them righteous? What places them into this [righteous] category? That question may lead to earlier Bible studies.

A couple of quotes from the Jewish Publication Society's 1985 Tanakh translation: Job 14:14: If a man die, may he live again? All the days of my service would I wait, till my relief should come-- Job 19:25-27: I know that my Vindicator lives; In the end He will testify on earth -- This, after my skin will have been peeled off. But I would behold God while still in my flesh, I myself, not another, would behold Him; Would see with my own eyes: My heart pines within me. For me, it is always good to read other renditions to perhaps get additional perspectives. I believe that, at one time, at least some of the Hebrews writers understood that death and the grave was the end. Job's view, however, may differ in that his expectation is to see with his own eyes while 'still in the flesh' his Redeemer/Vindicator after death. As I don't think that Ps. 6 or Ps. 88 - quoted earlier in the study - predate the writing of Job, it seems to me that, even during the most ancient of times, there were variations of belief/understanding among the Hebrews regarding the possibility of resurrection. Progressive Revelation: In my own words I'd define it as 'the unveiling of God's mind based upon the Hebrew and Christian scriptures as time proceeds.' Some would say that this unveiling goes beyond those particular scriptures in that the Hebrew and Christian scriptures may be added to... that is, appended [or addended?] I don't agree with that.

I agree with Tabatha on this. Thank you Tabatha.

Thank you, BJB123. I just came back from a marriage retreat with 35 National Guard soldiers who had returned from combat in Iraq and Afghanistan and their spouses. The focus was on giving tools for communication ... listening [how to] and how to work through conflict [that occurs in every marriage] with one's spouse. I believe one of the tools of submission is learning how to listen. 'Listen to each other in submission to Christ?' Blessings in Christ.

Indeed, she is a gift from God and should be treated as such. Thank you for that.

Ralph: I think rescued puts it very clear. "Rescued from what?" may be asked.. so what I use for openers is "Rescued from yourself " and we go on from there.

It shows, in one sense, the result of the human condition after the result of The Fall of Adam and Eve. I believe that we've been separate from God since that time. God adopts us and places us in a special position 'in Christ' as a child of God [implied by 'sons'] not because we deserve this position, but again by God's grace, through Christ. I'm encouraged b/c I know that I don't deserve to be adopted, yet I am.

I've never considered it as 'scary' in the sense of being frightened. I've always thought of God's predestined plan for me as being surrounded by God's grace. That means in my calling, God by grace, doesn't show me all the 'bumps in the road' ahead, but just the ones nearby that by his grace and power, I can overcome or get by. God is there with me, in spite of my inadequacies or failures. Paul is praising because, I believe, he well knows the meaning of God's grace. I like that. :-)

Let me preface my answer by saying that it was during a Bible study in Ephesians that I became aware of the legacy, gift and challenges of becoming/being a Christian. Four days into the study, I asked Jesus to come into my heart and life, forgive my sin, and lead me on the way. This was 36 years ago. Now to the question: To be 'in Christ' [short answer] for me is to be incorporated - installed, if you will - into a body of believers in Christ, locally, worldwide and, actually, including the saints of old in the heavenly realms as well as those that haven't bee born as yet. The primary implication to me is the the presence of Christ in my life: his protection, leading and spiritual gifts. Also important is the fellowship and support of the church in all areas.

Hello! My name is Marty and I'm a retired clergy person. I live in northern Vermont where, at present, it's below zero. I'm a veteran and do volunteer work with returning combat veterans and their families. As I'm starting this study a bit late, I'll try to catch up. Blessings in Christ. marty