<< Did Jesus believe that he was evolved from the prophets or that He was the fulfillment of what they were prophesying about? >>
I'd say that he strongly felt a kinship to the prophets and the tradition they represented and articulated. I don't think he thought of himself as anything particularly great. He was clearly more concerned with others, and likely gave relatively little thought to himself.
<< Jesus was always looking to bring others into His world. >>
I would say he was always looking to give. I think we are probably saying roughly the same thing.
<< But I cannot help but see that there was something more to this man that sets him apart and makes him worthy of praise and adoration. >>
He sets a lofty goal, to be sure. But as for praise and adoration... I think he would disagree, and would not seek praise or adoration, and would probably find it pointless and if anything, counterproductive.
Personally, I don't see any point to it either---it is anthropomorphizing, and so discordant from reality. That would be something like gazing upon the majesty and beauty of Yosemite Valley or the Grand Canyon and praising and adoring them.
I really don't think El Capitan and Half Dome can be improved or benefited by my praise and adoration, nor can they be denigrated by my lack of praise and adoration, or even by my disrespect. These things are irrelevant, and the object of praise, be they Half Dome or Jesus, are unaffected either way. They speak for themselves. Or... as it is so profoundly articulated and repeated for emphasis in Exodus 3:
Moses said to God: Lo, I shall go to the children of Israel, and say to them: 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you.' If they shall say to me: 'What is his name?' What shall I say to them?
God said to Moses: 'I AM WHO AM.'
He said: Thus shall you say to the children of Israel: 'I AM has sent me to you.'
... all IMHO, of course. I don't expect anybody to agree or disagree. I believe what I believe because of my experience, and I didn't ask for, create or fashion that experience, it just showed up on my doorstep. Your experience is different. So I would expect you to believe differently. And that really is just fine by me.
Am I "correct?"
Beats me. I wouldn't even begin to know how to ascertain that.
T |
