How to do you handle anti statements or actions?

[prisonchaplain]

Traveler, Nicodemus may have converted. We just don't know from the discourse in John 3. We are told that Jesus confounded the Pharisees, though. He frequently engaged them. And again, Paul was an anti of antis, yet he came around. Since we do not know the deepest recesses of a soul, perhaps we should consider passionate opposition to mean, at least in some cases, the person really is hungry for spiritual truth, deep down.

[Traveler]

Originally Posted by prisonchaplain

Traveler, Nicodemus may have converted. We just don't know from the discourse in John 3. We are told that Jesus confounded the Pharisees, though. He frequently engaged them. And again, Paul was an anti of antis, yet he came around. Since we do not know the deepest recesses of a soul, perhaps we should consider passionate opposition to mean, at least in some cases, the person really is hungry for spiritual truth, deep down.

I am not sure that Jesus sought out the Pharisees (as his lost sheep). It appears to me that he went about "calling" to his sheep and that his sheep "knew" him and responded. I think Jesus engaged the Pharisees when they sought him in an effort to discredit him.

I do not recall that Jesus ever told his followers to "demonstrate" or attempt to distrupt the Pharisees (or anyone else) when they worshiped. It is my understanding that Jesus sent his desciples to those that would listen. Even after the anti Paul was converted Jesus sent Paul rather than sending someone to Paul.

The Traveler

[Hemidakota]

Elder Bruce R. McConkie stated concerning the 'Lost Sheep' -

Parable of the Lost Sheep

This parable was given twice. Indeed, it may be that all of the parables were given numerous times to different groups of hearers and with differing purposes and applications.

As recorded by Matthew, the Parable of the Lost Sheep was given in Capernaum of Galilee in response to claims of pre-eminence by those who wanted to be first in the kingdom of God. In it Jesus is the Shepherd who has come to save the "little ones" who otherwise would be lost. The emphasis is on keeping the sheep from getting lost, on showing how precious the sheep are, and on how reluctant the Shepherd is to lose even one.

Luke's account tells what happened more than a year later in Perea. There the parable was given in response to the murmurings of the Pharisees and scribes that Jesus ate with sinners. This time the Master Teacher places the emphasis on finding that which is lost; he shows the length the Shepherd will go to find the sheep and the rejoicing that takes place when the lost is found. This time, in applying the parable, the complaining religious leaders, who considered themselves as just men needing no repentance, become the shepherds who should have been doing what the Chief Shepherd was doing—seeking to find and save that which was lost.

In further interpretation of Luke's account, the Prophet said: "The hundred sheep represent one hundred Sadducees and Pharisees, as though Jesus had said, 'If you Sadducees and Pharisees, are in the sheepfold, I have no mission for you; I am sent to look up sheep that are lost; and when I have found them, I will back them up and make joy in heaven.' This represents hunting after a few individuals, or one poor publican, which the Pharisees and Sadducees despised." (Teachings, p. 277.)