Cheryl Schatz

Hi Vance, There are two things that I am working off of. The first is the actual words of John and the second is the response of Jesus. John could have sent his disciples to ask Jesus, “Should my disciples be following you or should they look for another?” John included “we” in his words and his disciples would have been on the same page because where the leader goes, the disciples follow. The main argument is from Jesus. After all Jesus knows the heart. If Jesus didn’t tell us about his personal words to John about taking offence at Jesus, we would not have known the problem. How does one work with the evidence of John’s words of doubt along with Jesus’ specific word about offence? We must be able to exegete the Scriptures with both parts working together to know the truth. So how do you account for Jesus’ words said “to” John about taking offence “at” Jesus? The next things that must be in the mix is Jesus’ words to the crowd that although John was the greatest he is not in the kingdom. These three puzzle pieces have to be placed together. In what way does all three pieces lay alongside each other without coming up to the conclusion that John is not in the kingdom because he is no longer believing that Jesus is the Messiah and he has taken offence at Christ? I welcome this kind of dialog. It is good and healthy for us all.