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Jesus said two things about the OT that shook the religion of his day:
Matt.11:11
and this:
Matt.22:37-40
Basically Jesus was saying, "if you look at and follow me, you are already better than the entire OT, including Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, Noah and all the rest."
The common people heard his words with gladness. (Mk. 12:37 and Lk. 8:40) I believe God was already preparing people's hearts for the Spirit that was to be poured out at Pentecost.
But the religious leaders refused to hear him, because they were jealous and envious. This is confirmed by their decision to stone Stephen when they heard his message of Jesus. He was considered a heretic. (Why is it, religion seems to rely on heresy in order to survive????)
Jesus broke the rules of religion for the sake of Love. In other words, when faced with the decision of: my religion's rules vs. love, he chose love.
So he actually changed the religious rules of his time. Many people today say they follow Jesus, but they don't understand that God is alive and moving today just as He was back then. Following new rules today makes us fall into the same trap of the religious folks back then. We must decide: religious form, or love?
This is why religion (the letter) can kill. Because when we get nestled down into our doctrines, we miss the fact that God is alive today, forgiving and healing man.
"Love thy neighbor as thyself" was supoerior to everything to do with violence and sacrifice back in the OT. And it is still superior today. Paul didn't preach that people were going to hell. And neither did the early church. What they preached was this: "God has reconciled you to Himself. So reconcile yourself to Him!!"
If we choose to walk in Love, both towards God and our fellow man, today, we shall see salvation.
Praise God for His grace!
Blessings,
brian
There is so many contradictions in the Bible, it could go either way. I personally believe that all the miracles Jesus performed, and all the "good" he represented, was all done on YHWHY's behalf. YHWHY is who he gave his props to, when he SHOULD have condemned him as the most evil God of terror that was ever concocted. It is because of Jesus the terrorism of the YHWHY thrives and is in power today.
John 4 : 21
Jesus = “ 22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews."
17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
There is so many contradictions in the Bible, it could go either way. I personally believe that all the miracles Jesus performed, and all the "good" he represented, was all done on YHWHY's behalf. YHWHY is who he gave his props to, when he SHOULD have condemned him as the most evil God of terror that was ever concocted. It is because of Jesus the terrorism of the YHWHY thrives and is in power today.
Rider back off the anti-Christ rhetoric. You are blaming Jesus for what His ignorant savage followers (centuries after His death) did . . . and every religious leader within the mainstream Christian churches have done, as well. They retained the ancient ignorance and savage beliefs and superstitions of our primitive ancestors about a jealous and vengeful God . . . all in the name of Faith in God!!! They are responsible for corrupting Christ's Gospel of love . . . NOT Jesus.
Yes, the point that the whole Law was summed up in these two, and that the spiritual reality of that as opposed to the formal requirements was what was important in relating to God and man is what was really revolutionary........ along with extending the meaning of "neighbor" to include all mankind (the last few verses of Matt 5).
It is pretty clear the OP had no idea "love your neighbor" was a quote from Leviticus. That's why he thought it's brand new, and revolutionary.
It is pretty clear the OP had no idea "love your neighbor" was a quote from Leviticus. That's why he thought it's brand new, and revolutionary.
Well...... Jesus never said you have heard it say love your neighbor, but I say unto you love your neighbor. Love your neighbor
This is what he said........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,. Much of what we have heard that's been said is similar.
This ^^^^^^^indeed was revolutionary. Notice Jesus never said "Leviticus says".
You will never love your enemy while you see his fault.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were STILL sinners, Christ died for us. A hard saying yes but it is the narrow way to Life, and few are finding it.
Exodus 23:4 “If you come across your enemy’s ox or donkey wandering off, be sure to return it. If you see the donkey of someone who hates you fallen down under its load, do not leave it there; be sure you help them with it.
Prov 25:21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
Prov 24:17 Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice, or the Lord will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from them.
Exodus 23:4 “If you come across your enemy’s ox or donkey wandering off, be sure to return it. If you see the donkey of someone who hates you fallen down under its load, do not leave it there; be sure you help them with it.
Prov 25:21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
Prov 24:17 Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice, or the Lord will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from them.
Who is saying it isn't. Love your enemies is the teaching of Jesus.
Who is saying it isn't. Love your enemies is the teaching of Jesus.
Sure, and since Jesus=God, it was also taught in the OT times. Love your neighbor and love your enemies are wonderful instructions for Christian living, but the real revolutionary message Jesus brought us is John 3:16, and the same message is repeated 200 times. Paul clarified it further in Eph 2:28 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.
Last edited by Finn_Jarber; 06-06-2013 at 06:19 AM..
Faith is indeed a gift from God. We didn't "dig it up" or "invent it" or "borrow it" or "find it." It was God's gift to us. No merit of our own. If someone doesn't have the gift, it's because God hasn't given it to them. Do all men have faith? No.
[quote=ahigherway;29881714]In fact, on a spiritual level, we might suppose that Jesus did in fact begin his reign, by sitting on the throne of men's hearts, and driving out unrighteousness. In this light, Jesus fulfilled the prophesies.
RESPONSE:
But on the historical (or factual) level, Jesus never sat on the throne of David. Thus Jesus did not fulfill a prophecy of the nessiah.
The sign above him was "He said, I am the king of the Jews." There's a difference, imo, even though subtle. The religious antagonists (as usual) could bear the idea that he might be king. That's why they requested that Pilate change what was written. And yet, Pilate said "no. What I've written, I've written." A VERY interesting social dynamic. The "righteous" were wrong, and the "unrighteous" (Pilate was not a Jew) were, in fact, right.
RESPONSE:
Jesus was crucified for being an insurectionist in allowing it to be believed that he was the messiah, and consequently "King of the Jews."
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