Nathanael/Bartholomew, about whom we know ~nothing makes an extraordinary declaration of faith & receives an extraordinary promise. What then to make of the tortures he suffered? Does God make treacherous promises?
Notes
Transcript
Faith
John 1:49 ESV-CE
Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”
Promise
John 1:51 ESV-CE
And he said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”
Martyrdom
Nothing is certain, but evidence suggests his martyrdom was exceptionally brutal.
Is God:
Capricious?
Malicious?
Deceitful?
Cruel?
Do these images suggest something else happening here?
Does God’s promise include freedom from suffering?
Is it rather, the gift to transcend whatever we may have to endure?
