Walking the path

(2-minute read)

I’ve been trying to study to understand the crowd’s beliefs as Jesus spoke. Often, he put together what they already knew in a simple way that gave them a greater understanding. But he also taught something they found fresh and new. He spoke of the Kingdom of God.

Jesus spoke to crowds about 85% of the time, primarily influenced by Pharisee beliefs. He spoke about 9% of the time to those influenced by the Sadducees. These two groups and Jews in general believed scripture was written for this life and not the life to come. The Sadducees believed in God but, unlike the Pharisees, did not believe in the resurrection. They thought that when you die, you no longer exist, that God had a relationship with nations but not with individuals. They didn’t believe in heaven.

Laws are essential even if you don’t believe in heaven. As in our modern world, without traffic laws, driving to work in the morning would be dangerous, and life would be extremely difficult. As part of their beliefs as well as in their culture, Jews believed that following the laws that God gave in scripture would ensure the best life on earth for everyone.

Jesus came announcing the Kingdom of God, in which individuals could have an intimate personal relationship with God. This was new, and it was big. It was “the reason for the planet” big. After laying the groundwork, he told them that an intimate relationship would also involve others. Speaking to his followers, Jesus said, “I am in the Father, and you are in me, and I am in you,” creating a unity that we must adjust to. The most significant adjustment was with other people.

Back when the weight of this first struck me, I thought, “Lord, there are people who hurt me that I don’t want to be in an intimate relationship with them. I want to avoid them.” Either my mind or the Lord immediately challenged me, “Don, you need to get over it. Just let it go, it’s not worth it. You know, ‘forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.’ Forgiveness is basic stuff.” Jesus explained the details to the apostles; they explained it to others; and now it looks like he wants me to invite those I know, not just the people I like.

The Kingdom of God requires love. Sure, it’ll need a little faith and a little hope, but a massive amount of love. Love is like breathing, and without it, nothing else works. Love is the essence of God.

I have a long way to go. The Lord is taking it easy on me at the moment. He has me trying to understand the feelings and perspectives of the people I meet without judging them. Lord, I pray I’ll get better at this.