Were peter james and john really Jesus' favourite disciples? I don't think that makes sense or even seems fair since the bible says God is no respecter of persons; he doesn't show partiality (Romans 2:11). God doesn't reason like we do. Others say its because they were the ones that need most supervision so he kept them close, but why would he ask them to watch and pray with him only for them to fall asleep and why would he let these 3 especially see him transfigured? the 2 viewpoints don't make sense for me. Wasnt this just for his divine purposes or because they were the ones who chose to draw nearer to him or something else? The 2 views are man based reasoning and can be harmful, I think. I think there are various factors: their eagerness to draw near to Jesus, their potential for leadership (like Peter), and the divine purposes and teachings involved in those specific events that Jesus maybe selected them for. But each disciple played a crucial role in the establishment and growth of the early Church and I think Jesus showed love and care for all his disciples??
Well said - much of the perceived "favoritism" could be viewed as being read into the Gospel, but you mention the passages that give us reasonable cause to suppose they enjoyed some degree of favor (not to the disgrace of or at the expense of the other disciples, but merely to their own credit), namely, their place at the Mount of Transfiguration, the Garden of Gethsemane, but also their presence at the raising of Jairus' daughter in Mark 5. The Gospel of John also mentions the disciple "whom Jesus loved," as a distinct yet unnamed disciple, which speaks to the impulse to not elevate one follower over another. But it is thereby clear that there is at least one disciple whom Jesus had particular affection for. Again, this does not mean Jesus hated or had no love for the others, but merely that His love was especially noted for this beloved disciple. Another factor beyond the presence of scripture which speaks to special moments with Peter, James, and John, we also have the absence of scripture regarding the other disciples. Some are only barely mentioned in the Gospel, such as Simon the Zealot, or Matthias who replaced Judas Iscariot after the resurrection, but who was said to have been among the followers of Jesus from the time of His baptism by John the Baptist. We simply do not have much Gospel to go off of regarding these figures. And the other disciples exist somewhere on a continuum between them; between known and obscure. Early Church tradition and unconfirmed historical mentions are where we get most of what little information there is. The love Christ had for certain disciples should perhaps not be viewed as indicative of God's approval or disapproval, but indicative of the heavenly rewards those apostles would receive for their efforts. You mention Romans 2:11, but Paul is specifically saying there is no partiality for God between Jew and Greek - he was still butting heads with the Judaizers in the Early Church who believed Christians could only be saved through first entering the covenants of Abraham & Moses, that they first needed to become a part of God's 'chosen people' in an Old Covenant sense. This misconception was born of a certain elitism and self-righteousness which was understandable to many in Christianity's earliest days, so Paul is reminding them that God's new covenant is not available ONLY to Jews, but is available to all non-Jews ("Greeks"). But the passage overall is about how God rewards those who serve him, as Paul states in verse 9, God who “will render to each one according to his deeds”; Later in Romans 9:13 he even reminds us, "So it is written: "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated." So while both Jew and Greek are now equal in God's new covenant, individuals will reap the good or bad deeds which they sow. We can suppose then, that, despite the faults and shortcomings of James, John and Peter, they were among those who would sow and reap that which Christ was most pleased to reward them for. -Enduring Word Team
To God be the glory, honor, and praise. Amen
Excellent message and I need to work on these things. You are truly a man of God.
Pray for me
Praying.❤
Amen
JESUS CHRIST IS THE GREATEST
Were peter james and john really Jesus' favourite disciples? I don't think that makes sense or even seems fair since the bible says God is no respecter of persons; he doesn't show partiality (Romans 2:11). God doesn't reason like we do. Others say its because they were the ones that need most supervision so he kept them close, but why would he ask them to watch and pray with him only for them to fall asleep and why would he let these 3 especially see him transfigured? the 2 viewpoints don't make sense for me. Wasnt this just for his divine purposes or because they were the ones who chose to draw nearer to him or something else? The 2 views are man based reasoning and can be harmful, I think. I think there are various factors: their eagerness to draw near to Jesus, their potential for leadership (like Peter), and the divine purposes and teachings involved in those specific events that Jesus maybe selected them for. But each disciple played a crucial role in the establishment and growth of the early Church and I think Jesus showed love and care for all his disciples??
Well said - much of the perceived "favoritism" could be viewed as being read into the Gospel, but you mention the passages that give us reasonable cause to suppose they enjoyed some degree of favor (not to the disgrace of or at the expense of the other disciples, but merely to their own credit), namely, their place at the Mount of Transfiguration, the Garden of Gethsemane, but also their presence at the raising of Jairus' daughter in Mark 5.
The Gospel of John also mentions the disciple "whom Jesus loved," as a distinct yet unnamed disciple, which speaks to the impulse to not elevate one follower over another. But it is thereby clear that there is at least one disciple whom Jesus had particular affection for. Again, this does not mean Jesus hated or had no love for the others, but merely that His love was especially noted for this beloved disciple.
Another factor beyond the presence of scripture which speaks to special moments with Peter, James, and John, we also have the absence of scripture regarding the other disciples. Some are only barely mentioned in the Gospel, such as Simon the Zealot, or Matthias who replaced Judas Iscariot after the resurrection, but who was said to have been among the followers of Jesus from the time of His baptism by John the Baptist.
We simply do not have much Gospel to go off of regarding these figures. And the other disciples exist somewhere on a continuum between them; between known and obscure. Early Church tradition and unconfirmed historical mentions are where we get most of what little information there is.
The love Christ had for certain disciples should perhaps not be viewed as indicative of God's approval or disapproval, but indicative of the heavenly rewards those apostles would receive for their efforts.
You mention Romans 2:11, but Paul is specifically saying there is no partiality for God between Jew and Greek - he was still butting heads with the Judaizers in the Early Church who believed Christians could only be saved through first entering the covenants of Abraham & Moses, that they first needed to become a part of God's 'chosen people' in an Old Covenant sense. This misconception was born of a certain elitism and self-righteousness which was understandable to many in Christianity's earliest days, so Paul is reminding them that God's new covenant is not available ONLY to Jews, but is available to all non-Jews ("Greeks"). But the passage overall is about how God rewards those who serve him, as Paul states in verse 9, God who “will render to each one according to his deeds”; Later in Romans 9:13 he even reminds us, "So it is written: "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated."
So while both Jew and Greek are now equal in God's new covenant, individuals will reap the good or bad deeds which they sow. We can suppose then, that, despite the faults and shortcomings of James, John and Peter, they were among those who would sow and reap that which Christ was most pleased to reward them for.
-Enduring Word Team
I believe what you say, I have repent, I have asked God to forgive me and family,but I am so darn empty
Praying for you, don't give up. Have faith in God, all things are possible with him.❤