FRIDAY JULY 23, 2021 LOVE WINS FRIDAY

 FRIDAY JULY 23, 2021 LOVE WINS FRIDAY

The Radical Jesus

I’ve been listening to a podcast that says “Jesus was a radical”, and implies that early Christians were radicals.  If you will, if you were a Christian and practiced your faith, you probably did it carefully or you would be imprisoned - or maybe sent to the Colosseum to fight against gladiators.  You knew that at almost any day and time, a knock on your door could mean arrest.  The speaker suggested that if you were a Christian until the year 313 (when Constantine approved Christianity), you lived kind of a double life - a public life and a private life - where you practiced your faith.  

But, with the official state approval of Christianity, it became “acceptable”.  Oh yes, love your neighbor, be kind, be nice, don’t be trouble for the government, live peacefully.

I have mentioned that I’ve been listening to an audiobook “Unconditional” by Brian Zahnd.  Mr. Zahnd suggests that even from the earliest days of Christianity, it has been a radical thought.

That author suggests that Jesus “platform” (using a political term) is well laid out in the Sermon on the Mound (Matthew 5 and 6).  I’m using verses 38 to 48 today.  Reread it and see how really radical it was and still in.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to the other cheek also.  And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well.  If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.  Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

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Turn the other cheek?  Give them your shirt and your coat?  Go with them two miles?

Cmon - this isn’t real - this is just hyperbole!!!

And, if this wasn’t enough:

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“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

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Love your enemies - pray for those who persecute you!!!  Really?  I’m to love my enemies???  Get real!!  Pray for the government - maybe even especially if you don’t like our president!!!  Love my enemies??? 

And, from my travels, that the people in Kazakhstan and Belarus and <wherever> do love their families - even the evil people around us love their families.  It seems so impossible to love those outside “my” area.  Can I love the homeless?  Can I love those with different beliefs?  Can I love gays, lesbians and others?  Can I love those with COVID?  Those who have a physical defect?  

Have you seen the bumper stickers ‘God bless our troops, especially our snipers”.  I suspect that isn’t loving your enemies as the Sermon on the Mound suggests.  

The sun rises on all people, the rain falls on all people.  

And, maybe the most radical - he wants me to be “perfect”??  Ha - little chance of that happening!!  I’m going to try to be perfect - but come on now - I might get to 85% - but never to 100% on the “perfect” scale.

Aside - he “sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” - we can’t pray “rain on my land - but don’t rain on Farmer Bob’s land because he is unrighteous!!”.  And, when it rains on the righteous and the unrighteous, the righteous get wetter!!  (That’s because the unrighteous have stolen the umbrellas of the righteous!!)

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I’m not implying that people have to be Christians - it works for me; but I am implying that being a radical lover, loving your friends, family, neighbors, AND enemies is the way to go.  (And, not, I am not there).  

I write “LOVE WINS” - and it does win - ultimately.  It might not be today, but some day!!!

HUGS!!!

Karen