Saturday, April 23, 2011

How Many Choices?

In honor of Good Friday and Easter we have this photo and a question.  The photo was taken on Route 110 where Lowell becomes Tewksbury.
The Three Crosses is obvious—Jesus and the two rebels (leading to the story of the "Good Thief")

It is the "Two Choices" that is a question. I guess that if one thinks that choosing Jesus or rejecting Jesus are two choices, then it makes sense.  However, my dictionary says...
an act of selecting or making a decision when faced with two or more possibilities:  the choice between good and evil.
So, it seems to me there is only one choice and two possible responses.

I think this all goes back to the King James version of the Bible.  This verse from Moses, found in Deuteronomy (30:19) might lead one to think there are two choices:
I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:
Or not.  Frankly the New American Bible isn't much different.

The other "choice" line that comes to mind is from Joshua (24:15):
And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell:  but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
Here the New American Bible uses the word "decide".

I am going with three crosses and one choice, with two options.  But, still, the message is clear.

Regards  —  Cliff

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