Tags

, , , , , , , , , ,

Radical Jesus

Jesus has the number of the religious elites. They are constantly trying to trap him. They are constantly trying to undermine the message of God for the people trying to follow him.

Religious legalism is abhorrent to God. That isn’t what Jesus shows me I am to focus on.

I am warned. Am I a fraud? Being religious isn’t what Jesus is after. Jesus is clear. God commands obedience to the goal of love. That is the mission.

Here is what Jesus thinks.

Why do you use your rules to play fast and loose with God’s commands? God clearly says, ‘Respect your father and mother,’ and, ‘Anyone denouncing father or mother should be killed.’ But you weasel around that by saying, ‘Whoever wants to, can say to father and mother, What I owed to you I’ve given to God.’ That can hardly be called respecting a parent. You cancel God’s command by your rules. Frauds!

~Jesus | Matthew 15:1-9

What is God’s command? Following a silly rule or actually loving? It isn’t about religious rules that lead away from love. It is about real love.

Jesus shows me the way. I am a slave of Jesus. As my Master, Jesus teaches me how to love. God gives me the Holy Spirit and all the fruits of the Spirit.

Here are the final thoughts of Jesus on this, for now.

These people make a big show of saying the right thing, but their heart isn’t in it. They act like they’re worshiping me, but they don’t mean it. They just use me as a cover for teaching whatever suits their fancy.