That is not in the Bible!! Is it?

In yesterday's post Bible College isn't like Sunday School I promised to post some of the things I have already learned about scripture or people in the scriptures' that I did not already know.  Here are some of the high points so far.

• Many Christians know and even quote Mark 14:7a  ~ "The poor you will always have with you" but I did not realize the complete scripture ~ as spoken by Jesus to his disciples ~ is this:

"The poor you will always have with you and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. (physically)" ~ Mark 14:7  Don't hear a lot of folks quoting that "and you can help them any time you want" part of the verse.  Just sayin......

• When I read this next enlightening comment in my textbook I blurted out, "WHAT!?!?" and laughed loudly!! "...Jesus relied heavily on the support of others....including considerable help from a strategic group of well-to-do women."  Then I read the scripture reference ~ and there it is ~ I had no clue!

Luke 8:1-3 -  After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, ² and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; ³ Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.

Wow!  That is all I can say, "WOW!"  I am quite surprised every pastor I've ever had forgot to mention that.

Next I was extremely surprised at my lack of knowledge of the 12 disciples.  Appears some of these guys got a lot more press than others.  Example ~ ever heard of Bartholomew? Thaddeus?  Simon the Zealot?  Me either!!  Of the 12 I could have named maybe 4 but would have thrown in 3 or 4 men who I THOUGHT were disciples - but weren't.  Here is the list:

(1) Simon (Peter) and his brother (2) Andrew

(3) James and his brother (4) John

(5) Philip

(6) Bartholomew

(7) Thomas

(8) Matthew the tax collector

(9) James son of Alphaeus

(10) Thaddeus

(11) Simon the Zealot

(12) Judas Iscariot

To make this even MORE interesting there are 3 men I have always ASSUMED were disciples - but were not ~ Mark, Luke, Paul ~ Again, WOW!

I have now read in Matthew twice Jesus saying, "I desire mercy, not sacrifice". (Matt 9:13).  I am having to ponder that. Don't remember hearing this before and I am not completely positive the meaning. This is one of those things I want to Google but will wait for my Instructor's lecture to see if it comes up. (If not I'll make it come up! ~ SMILE).

I could keep going but it is late.  Hopefully you can tell I am quite surprised at how much I truly do NOT know about the Bible.  But my surprise yields quickly to the excitement of learning more about the "truth" of what is (and isn't) known about the scriptures; as opposed to what I have always assumed or thought to be true.  And just think!  I am still in the first 1/2 of Matthew! I have how many more books to go!?!? REALLY!  How many more?  I don't know for sure.......sixty-something maybe......