When Jesus Christ walked this earth, His daily interactions exemplified a flawless demonstration of compassion, love, and selflessness. He tirelessly served others, immersed in the trenches of their lives, and made an impact. When He stood before people, He taught with authority and conviction. Yet, much of what He said, I fear, often goes unnoticed by too many of us, myself included. Therefore, I’ve been slowly reading the four Gospels, seeking to absorb every word of Christ Jesus.
I can’t help but notice a stark contrast between the teachings of Jesus and the actions of us today who profess to follow Him. It’s striking how often we, as Christians, seem to selectively embrace certain aspects of His message while neglecting others. We have a tendency to emphasize certain teachings that align with our beliefs and lifestyle, using them to assert our righteousness, yet we often overlook or dismiss the more challenging commands of Christ.
Perhaps it’s because these teachings force us to confront uncomfortable truths about ourselves. Jesus spoke with gravity, never shying away from addressing aspects of our lives that demand a complete reevaluation. Confronting these truths can be tough. If we truly examine His words, we may find that we fall short of the genuine discipleship He calls us to.
It's easier to brush aside or explain away these teachings than to face our own shortcomings in following them. But when we do that, we're just acting fake and moving farther away from the essence of His message.
Take, Luke 14:12-14, as a prime example. Here, Jesus challenges our conventional ideals of hospitality and social circles with words of profound weight: “…When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee. But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.”
Those words hit home for many of us: we often find comfort in sticking to our inner circles. Yet, Jesus commands us not to overlook those who are typically left out—the poor and homeless, disabled, the downtrodden—without expecting anything in return. It’s a call to do what’s right simply because it’s the right thing to do.
Let's take a moment to face reality. Hosting feasts and celebrations is something we've all done, inviting loved ones to share in the joy of togetherness. But how often do we extend that invitation to complete strangers in need? I wager most of us can’t give an answer. How many of us welcome the homeless or needy into our celebrations? It's a rare occurrence because it goes against the grain of our culture. However, our Lord is radical, and He is correct in commanding us to break away from the cultural norms, prioritizing inclusion over exclusivity, and opening our doors to all. In doing so, we embody the spirit of compassion and generosity.
These aren’t merely some friendly suggestions from a self-help book; they’re the commands of our Lord Jesus Christ, spoken by God Himself. Yet, why do we overlook them, along with many others, as if they do not exist? Are they not relevant? Do they not carry significance in our lives? If so, why don’t we heed them❓
I know of an individual who regularly hosted feasts and celebrations at his home. He had a unique habit of inviting complete strangers, including the homeless and lonely, to join these gatherings. Despite having a beautiful home, his joy was palpable, and he cherished the opportunity to meet new people and forge meaningful connections. He often expressed how blessed he felt by being a blessing to others. He shared how he gained valuable lessons and wisdom from these complete strangers. Indeed, there is profound wisdom in his actions, finding that inner peace from valuing people is more important than material possessions—such as a stained rug, broken dishes, or occasional inconveniences.
So, it's time for us Christians to shed our hypocritical, self-righteous attitudes, and instead, humbly submit ourselves before God. Let's get acquainted with all the teachings of Christ and apply them to our lives, even if they challenge us. Though His words may demand much from us, they serve an essential purpose. By obeying His commands—every single one of them—we open ourselves to gain riches, blessings, and a deeper sense of connection with others, surpassing anything we could achieve through our own selective efforts.
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I can’t help but notice a stark contrast between the teachings of Jesus and the actions of us today who profess to follow Him. It’s striking how often we, as Christians, seem to selectively embrace certain aspects of His message while neglecting others. We have a tendency to emphasize certain teachings that align with our beliefs and lifestyle, using them to assert our righteousness, yet we often overlook or dismiss the more challenging commands of Christ.
Perhaps it’s because these teachings force us to confront uncomfortable truths about ourselves. Jesus spoke with gravity, never shying away from addressing aspects of our lives that demand a complete reevaluation. Confronting these truths can be tough. If we truly examine His words, we may find that we fall short of the genuine discipleship He calls us to.
It's easier to brush aside or explain away these teachings than to face our own shortcomings in following them. But when we do that, we're just acting fake and moving farther away from the essence of His message.
Take, Luke 14:12-14, as a prime example. Here, Jesus challenges our conventional ideals of hospitality and social circles with words of profound weight: “…When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee. But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.”
Those words hit home for many of us: we often find comfort in sticking to our inner circles. Yet, Jesus commands us not to overlook those who are typically left out—the poor and homeless, disabled, the downtrodden—without expecting anything in return. It’s a call to do what’s right simply because it’s the right thing to do.
Let's take a moment to face reality. Hosting feasts and celebrations is something we've all done, inviting loved ones to share in the joy of togetherness. But how often do we extend that invitation to complete strangers in need? I wager most of us can’t give an answer. How many of us welcome the homeless or needy into our celebrations? It's a rare occurrence because it goes against the grain of our culture. However, our Lord is radical, and He is correct in commanding us to break away from the cultural norms, prioritizing inclusion over exclusivity, and opening our doors to all. In doing so, we embody the spirit of compassion and generosity.
These aren’t merely some friendly suggestions from a self-help book; they’re the commands of our Lord Jesus Christ, spoken by God Himself. Yet, why do we overlook them, along with many others, as if they do not exist? Are they not relevant? Do they not carry significance in our lives? If so, why don’t we heed them❓
I know of an individual who regularly hosted feasts and celebrations at his home. He had a unique habit of inviting complete strangers, including the homeless and lonely, to join these gatherings. Despite having a beautiful home, his joy was palpable, and he cherished the opportunity to meet new people and forge meaningful connections. He often expressed how blessed he felt by being a blessing to others. He shared how he gained valuable lessons and wisdom from these complete strangers. Indeed, there is profound wisdom in his actions, finding that inner peace from valuing people is more important than material possessions—such as a stained rug, broken dishes, or occasional inconveniences.
So, it's time for us Christians to shed our hypocritical, self-righteous attitudes, and instead, humbly submit ourselves before God. Let's get acquainted with all the teachings of Christ and apply them to our lives, even if they challenge us. Though His words may demand much from us, they serve an essential purpose. By obeying His commands—every single one of them—we open ourselves to gain riches, blessings, and a deeper sense of connection with others, surpassing anything we could achieve through our own selective efforts.
RETURN TO ALL BLOGS
