Religion Information

Jesus Christ, King of the Jews


In 132 CE, Simon Bar Kosiba organized and led a large guerilla army in revolt against Roman occupation. He succeeded in actually throwing the Romans out of Jerusalem and Israel and establishing, although for only a brief period, an independent Jewish state.

Jewish accounts describe Simon Bar Kosiba as being a man of superior intelligence who possessed tremendous leadership abilities and incredible physical strength. His success caused many to believe that he came from the line of David. He was nicknamed "Bar Kochba" or "Son of Star," an allusion to the Book of Numbers (24:17). In fact, he was actually proclaimed the long awaited Messiah of Israel by the Sanhedrin. Strangely, very few people know of him or have even heard of him today.

But there is another Jewish son we have heard of. He was born poor and, like Kosiba, was also of the family of David. He, however, fought no battles, was not known for His strength, and virtually ignored the politics of His times. He never attended college, starred in any movies, or won any awards. Yet, His personality has somehow been fused into the very soul and consciousness of humanity. More books have been written about Him, more changes have resulted because of Him, more conversation and controversy has taken place because of Him than any other figure in human history. In His name, the apostles conquered the world. For His sake, martyrs sacrificed their lives. He is like a portent moving through two thousand years of history touching lives. Jesus Christ, King of the Jews!

The Teacher

He was an exceptional teacher,
Had received the highest degree.
From the College of Life Experience
He earned his Ph.D.

He taught what it meant to live
A life of self-sacrifice.
He was totally devoted to others,
Though He paid an exorbitant price.

He was one solitary life who
From a grace procured from above,
Sacrificed so much of Himself
Motivated by nothing but love.

He was wholly and solely committed,
Honor bond to set men free.
So He died on Calvary's cross that day,
To redeem all humanity.

Yes, He was indeed "The Teacher,"
And "The Teacher" He will forever be;
For none who lives or has died
Can compare to such as He.

Rev. Saundra L. Washington, D.D., is an ordained clergywoman, veteran social worker, and Founder of AMEN Ministries. She is also the author of two coffee table books: Room Beneath the Snow: Poems that Preach and Negative Disturbances: Homilies that Teach which can be reviewed on her site. Her new book, Out of Deep Waters: My Grief Management Workbook, is expected to be available in July.

You are welcome to visit AMEN Ministries: Your Soul's Service Station for spiritual refreshing, soul edification or to browse our newly expanded mini shopping mall.

Blessings to all!


MORE RESOURCES:

AFP

Boehner Calls HHS Contraception Mandate an 'Attack on Religious Freedom ...
ABC News (blog)
House Speaker John Boehner today called the Obama administration's move to compel nearly every employer to offer insurance that covers contraceptive services “an unambiguous attack on religious freedom in our country.” In an uncommon floor speech today ...
US Republicans: Obama attacking religionAFP
Obama's assault on religious freedomPolitico
Obama administration looking to resolve contraception controversyCNN (blog)
University of Wyoming News -CBS News -Washington Post (blog)
all 2,136 news articles »


Religion news in brief
San Jose Mercury News
One of the banners was signed by The Knights Templar, a violent, pseudo-religious cartel from the neighboring state of Michoacan. The cloth banners with hand-painted messages were found and quickly removed on Tuesday, a few weeks after the local Roman ...

and more »


Telegraph.co.uk

Proposition 8 and the new religious reality
Washington Post (blog)
In 2008, the “gays versus religion” frame was strongly entrenched in the mentality of the American public. Much of the driving force behind Prop 8, in terms of both organization and money, came from the leadership of the Roman Catholic and Mormon ...
Gay Marriage Ruling a Memo to Justice Kennedy: Noah FeldmanBloomberg
Prop 8: Why 18000 Is The Critical NumberABC News (blog)
Romney, Gingrich blast Prop 8 rulingCBS News
Yahoo! Contributors Network -Huffington Post -Big Government
all 3,163 news articles »


California Catholic Daily

Religion: Contraceptives-coverage letter reopens chaplain debate
The Republic
In it, Archbishop Timothy Broglio joined with most of America's Catholic bishops in blasting new US Department of Health and Human Services rules that will require the vast majority of religious institutions to include free coverage of all Food and ...
Crossroads for freedom of religionNews & Observer
Obama Admin Silenced Catholic Army Chaplain on New MandateLifeNews.com
Archbishop to US Troops: Obamacare Reg 'Is a Blow to Freedom'Catholic Online
Human Events
all 36 news articles »


Atlanta Journal Constitution

Lawsuit Filed Over Jesus Statue on Public Land
ABC News
The Freedom From Religion Foundation argued in their lawsuit that the Forest Service is unconstitutionally sanctioning the Catholic statue maintained by the Knights of Columbus. The religious nature of the statue has been made clear in special-use ...
Group to sue over Jesus statue decisionFlathead Publishing Group

all 126 news articles »


10 reasons religious conservatives love Rick Santorum
CNN (blog)
(CNN) - For all the attention paid to the clout of fiscally focused tea party conservatives and of the primacy of jobs in the 2012 election, Rick Santorum's trifecta victories Tuesday night are a good reminder of the powerful role religious ...

and more »


Religious structures in govt places, HC notice to state
Times of India
MADURAI: The Madras high court bench here on Wednesday has directed the state government to file its counter on a petition seeking to implement a government order (GO) banning new structures for religious worship or prayer, within the government office ...

and more »


Telegraph.co.uk

Putin: Compulsory Religion Classes Must Engage Students
RIA Novosti
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin came out in favor of robust religion and secular ethics classes in Russian schools, saying they should be taught by theology specialists or priests. Banned during the Soviet era, religion classes returned to middle schools ...
Putin says specialists needed to teach fundamentals of religion at schoolsInterfax-Religion

all 292 news articles »


Center For American Progress

10 Things You Should Know About Religion in the 2012 Elections
Center For American Progress
By Catherine Woodiwiss, Sally Steenland | February 8, 2012 On January 24 CAP hosted an event, “God and Politics: Examining Religion in the 2012 Elections.” Panelists included Joanna Brooks, columnist for Religion Dispatches and author of the upcoming ...
Romney vs. Evangelicals?Wizbang (blog)

all 7 news articles »


USA TODAY

Gay-marriage amendment would exclude religious-school chapels
The Seattle Times
Although the same-sex-marriage bill the House will vote on Wednesday is more accommodating to religion than the version introduced in the Senate, some worry it still doesn't go far enough. By Lornet Turnbull Is it too much to expect the truth on this?
GET UPDATES FROM Robert P. Jones, Ph.D.Huffington Post
Overheard on CNN.com: What is a 'marriage' anyway? Prop 8 commenters debateCNN (blog)
Growing Public Support for Same-Sex MarriagePew Research Center for the People and the Press

all 593 news articles »

Google News

home | site map
© 2006