The bible again.

The “but did it really happen this way”.

“John proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptised you with water; but he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit.”

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptised by John in the Jordan.  And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him.  And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”” Mark 1:7-11

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“I remember it well.  It was a Wednesday afternoon.  Just before afternoon tea I recall.  You know what I mean – those little cups we all drink.  Plenty of sugar and a good slurp.  Gave the clothes time to dry off afterwards.  But what I remember most is John’s discomfort.  He who had a problem with my sandals having to do the immersion and blessing.  He who went before (as he said) having to cope with the here and now (as I said).

It was a muddy old stream that day.  John had been dipping and blessing all day long.  The silt was all over the place.  Quite the production line.  And then my turn.  And the small disagreement with John.  The small disagreement with my chaps.  The “But you don’t need to” from all sides, “You’re the messiah”. 

All the hindsight written into this account that never ever happened on that day at that time in that place.  I was just one of the crowd, one of many: queue up, say the words, gets immersed, come up with a splash and … next… 

I have no idea if that “voice from heaven” was as audible as the account records.  Does it really matter?”

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Does it really matter?

It is a question I ask more and more.  Why do we need to feel the holes of the nails, touch the garment of power, have something physical of the spiritual world for us to believe the “spiritual world” exists?  And just how different are the (apparent) polar opposites of “Christian belief” and “Secular disbelief” as they both require the same thing of the same bible: proof and evidence?  Because as far as I can see we are all talking degrees of “proof and evidence” to justify our belief/disbelief.

And why – if it matters – does it matter?

Why do we need to agree the form and function of something that can never be proven or disproven to everyone’s satisfaction?  Why do we need to worship an agreed being that can never be proven or disproven?  Why do we need forgiveness from this disagreed being that can never be proven or disproven?  Why do we need to fight each other over something (or nothing) that can’t ever be proven or disproven?

And why – if this something (that can never be proven or disproven) has only ever and always been about love without condition would we ever want to?

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