The Jews have a particular three word saying that goes with any question regarding God’s relationship with man. God is just. It’s simple, it’s direct and makes our relationship pretty personal. It doesn’t matter what our parents, friends, or government leaders do, it’s what each of us do and what our personal relationship with God is. I have a very personal relationship with Him and the Christ just as everyone who has ever heard or experienced the name has. None of us are the same ergo our relationship with Him is not the same but above all I depend on the fact that: God is just. I live my life the best that I can, you live your life the best you can and neither of us can judge the other concerning our individual relationship with God because that’s God’s job and.....God is just. Back to the OP. I pretty much align myself with @Ken Anderson for a myriad a reasons. The Jews were looking for someone quite different than Jesus. Someone more along the line with Maccabee or even more of a Davidic stature. Would I believe in a man of peace or await the coming of the savior I expected: someone preaching war and uprise. Dunno. If I simply went back in time and could observe His works it’s a no brainer because I’m already a believer but to mentally observe myself as an ignorant individual devoid of any knowledge of who this man of peace is, I do not know. The hopes I have for myself is that yes, I would acknowledge Him and follow His teachings but in a day of slavery, kings, mass oppression, illiteracy and a host of other gods complete with their representatives preaching another faith....?
When my mother died suddem Oh yes for sure, I'd start to think that there was something more to this than I first thought...
How about if you actually saw Jesus divide those couple of fishes and loaves of bread among a few thousand people and then gathered up the leftovers that filled up 12 baskets...then could you believe? Jesus did some fascinating things. I think I would have freaked out if I had personally seen Him walk on water...and even though I have faith I don't think it's strong enough to keep me from sinking if I tried to walk on water.
I was taught that the real miracle of the loaves and the fishes was that Jesus got the people in the crowd to share what little food they had with each other. It was explained to me that in those days when people wore long flowing robes they had deep pockets that they kept small amounts of food and other items in when they traveled. The people were so moved by Jesus that they took the food from their robes and began to share with each other. I don't know if that interpretation is correct or if it is unique to me and my family.
It's not the story that is written in the Gospels of the Bible I can tell you that for sure Beatrice...so I think you would be correct in saying that interpretation would be unique to you and your family. I know when my daughters were young I often embellished the Bible stories in ways they could understand...so maybe that's what your family did too. There's loving and sharing with each other in your unique story too and those things and more are what Jesus is all about.
Actually, all he'd have to do is look directly into your face and you'd know...…..YEP, it's him. With a smile.
Religious discussions sometimes cause friction between those who previously got along just fine. Therefore I never get into such discussions. Rev. Hal Pollner