Episodes
Thursday Jun 28, 2018
Command #85 - Do Not Doubt
Thursday Jun 28, 2018
Thursday Jun 28, 2018
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.
Tuesday Jun 26, 2018
Command #84 - Let Your Yes Be Yes and Your No Be No
Tuesday Jun 26, 2018
Tuesday Jun 26, 2018
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)
Thursday Jun 21, 2018
Command #83 - Acknowledge Your Discipleship
Thursday Jun 21, 2018
Thursday Jun 21, 2018
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.
Tuesday Jun 19, 2018
Command #82 - Do Not Speak Carelessly
Tuesday Jun 19, 2018
Tuesday Jun 19, 2018
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.
Thursday Jun 14, 2018
Command #81 - Love Truth, Speak Truth, Do Truth
Thursday Jun 14, 2018
Thursday Jun 14, 2018
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.
Tuesday Jun 12, 2018
Command #80 - Give the World Its Due and Give God the Things That Are His
Tuesday Jun 12, 2018
Tuesday Jun 12, 2018
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.
Thursday Jun 07, 2018
Command #79 - Judge Rightly Not By Appearances
Thursday Jun 07, 2018
Thursday Jun 07, 2018
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.
Tuesday Jun 05, 2018
Command #78 - Don't Swear
Tuesday Jun 05, 2018
Tuesday Jun 05, 2018
Literalists eager to discover loopholes in the Commands will easily be able to dismiss a blanket injunction against obscenity.