"A Man of Sorrows"

Jesus and Mary of Magdala

"For he grew up before him like an infant and like a root out of the dry ground; he had no form nor comeliness; and when we saw that he had no beauty, we denied him. He was despised and humbled of men; a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and we turned our faces away from him; we despised him and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our sorrows and carried our griefs; but we considered him stricken smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was slain for our sins, he was afflicted for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have strayed; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the sins of us all. He drew near and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; he was led as a lamb to the slaughter; and as ewe before her shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment; and who can describe his anguish? For he was cut off out of the land of the living; and some of the evil men of my people struck him. He made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, although he had done no iniquity, neither was there any deceit in his mouth. Yet it pleased the LORD to afflict him; he has put him to grief; he laid down his life as an offering for sin, that posterity may see, and his days shall be prolonged, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. He shall see the reward of the travail of his soul, and be satisfied with the knowledge; he shall justify the righteous; for he is a servant of many, and he shall bear their sins. Therefore I will divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he has poured out his life to death; and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bore the sins of many, and died the death of transgressors"

(Peshitta Isaiah 53: 2-13).

We're having movie night! This Saturday, we will be watching "The Last Temptation of Christ." Our class will be exploring the full humanity of Jesus as it relates to his personal struggles as one who was both wholly human and wholly divine. As I've previously stated, this bible study series is on "Relationships in the Bible." As such, we will explore the possibility that Jesus not only had a romantic relationship with Mary of Magdala, but may have even married her! While Martin Scorsese does take generous artistic license - as any artist does - this is a wonderfully daring and exceptional inquiry into the "what ifs" of the man we have come to know as Jesus the Christ. Although I wish you all could be there. I have no doubt it's going to be a deliciously delicate, yet delightful discourse. Can't wait to tell you all about it next week. Until then, Peace.

© Dorinda G. Henry, 2010

THEOLOGIA HABITUS EST!