Episodes
Monday Nov 30, 2015
Command #85 - Do Not Doubt
Monday Nov 30, 2015
Monday Nov 30, 2015
We have spoken several times about Jesus' use of hyperbole, exaggeration, and metaphor. We do not actually "eat his flesh" when participating in a communion or Eucharist service. He does not really want his followers to "cut off" their hands or "pluck out" their eyes to rid their lives of sin. These are symbols and images which Jesus used skillfully to get his points across.
Friday Nov 27, 2015
Command #84 - Let Your Yes Be Yes and Your No Be No
Friday Nov 27, 2015
Friday Nov 27, 2015
Again we encounter Jesus making a point with overstatement. No one seriously expects us to go through life saying nothing but yes and no. Jesus himself did not do so either. Once more we gain further insight into his words from the Lord's brother James, who gave this command in its more familiar form: Let your yes be yes, and your no be no. (James 5:12)
Wednesday Nov 25, 2015
Command #83 - Acknowledge Your Discipleship
Wednesday Nov 25, 2015
Wednesday Nov 25, 2015
It is easy to hear words such as, "He who is ashamed of me and my words...of him will the Son of Man be ashamed." (Mark8:38, Luke 9:26), and read ourselves right out of the text.
Monday Nov 23, 2015
Command #82 - Do Not Speak Carelessly
Monday Nov 23, 2015
Monday Nov 23, 2015
It continues to be astonishing, once we see it, how much of Jesus' teaching concerned the simple things of life - such "unspiritual" things. Where is all the theology and doctrine? Of course we can turn to Romans or Ephesians if we want that sort of thing. But where is it in the Gospels? It's not there.
Friday Nov 20, 2015
Command #81 - Love Truth, Speak Truth, Do Truth
Friday Nov 20, 2015
Friday Nov 20, 2015
One of Jesus' most familiar "I am" declarations in John's gospel is, I am the truth. To love Jesus, therefore, one must love truth.
Wednesday Nov 18, 2015
Command #80 - Give the World Its Due and Give God the Things That Are His
Wednesday Nov 18, 2015
Wednesday Nov 18, 2015
Many of the Commands of Jesus emerged out of free-flowing conversations with those around him. It can therefore be difficult to perceive his higher intent in the midst of a specific exchange.
Monday Nov 16, 2015
Command #79 - Judge Rightly Not By Appearances
Monday Nov 16, 2015
Monday Nov 16, 2015
Most Christians are well familiar with Jesus' injunction against condemnation: Judge not. We are less acquainted with the form of judgment he does tell us to make.
Friday Nov 13, 2015
Command #78 - Don't Swear
Friday Nov 13, 2015
Friday Nov 13, 2015
Literalists eager to discover loopholes in the Commands will easily be able to dismiss a blanket injunction against obscenity.
Wednesday Nov 11, 2015
Command #77 - Take My Yoke Upon You
Wednesday Nov 11, 2015
Wednesday Nov 11, 2015
The unfortunate image conjured up by this passage in the minds of many is of a poor suffering beast of burden, a hundred pound slab of oak laced to his back, a plow tied behind, laboring in the hot sun from sunup to sundown. Not a very appealing life!
Monday Nov 09, 2015
Command #76 - Come to Me With Your Burdens and Find Rest
Monday Nov 09, 2015
Monday Nov 09, 2015
There are two ways to read Jesus' invitation, Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.