The Jesus Gospel
Sharing the teachings of Jesus that the world would like to ignore.
Jesus was not the King expected.
Instead of a mansion he was born in a manger.
He taught His followers to love their enemies, turn the other cheek and go the extra mile.
They had wanted a conquering military Messiah.
They received a Christ crucified on the cross.
He stayed true to what he taught.
And asks us to do the same.
Jesus' Example
Jesus did not have to die on the cross.
He had done no wrong.
He could have just walked away.
Peter tried to stop those who would arrest Jesus and drew his sword injuring the servant of the high priest. Jesus rebuked Peter saying... “Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?" (Matthew 26:52-53)
Jesus touched and healed the man Peter had injured.
And Jesus was arrested and tortured and crucified.
He died not only for us but also those who beat and mocked Him.
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Jesus and the Death Penalty
Consider the situation with the adulterous woman in John 8:1-12.
“But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Now early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them. Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?” This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him.
But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
According the Mosaic Law adultery was a death penalty offense. The scribes and the Pharisees asked Jesus about the fate of this woman to test him so “that they might have something of which to accuse Him.” What was the test? What did they hope to get from His response so that they could accuse Him? The only logical explanation is that they knew Jesus, from his teachings, would not condemn this woman to the fate of death by stoning. And if He did not condemn her they would claim He was against the teachings of Moses.
Jesus' reply of “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first” thwarted their plan.
There was only one person, based on Jesus’ statement, who could rightly condemn her to death and that was Jesus.
The Example Left by Jesus
"But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls." 1 Peter 2:21-25
What Paul said:
"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross." Philippians 2: 5-8
Jesus said it. Jesus followed it.
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Are those Christians who follow the non-violent Scriptures without weapons and protection?
Think again!
God’s Armor
And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Romans 13:11-12
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds… 2 Corinthians 10:3-4
But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing. Ephesians 5:8-11
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. Ephesians 6: 11-20
We may all face difficult times. Did Jesus give us specific instructions on how to respond during such times? If so what did He say?
It is amazing to learn the history of the early church. They were often persecuted but had been taught to live a life of non-violence in response to the persecution. Who told them to respond this way? It was their Lord Jesus.
Jesus did not waste words on His Sermon on the Mount. This was His sermon to His people. Yet this sermon is rarely ever taught in today’s churches. Recently a best selling Christian author was asked on a national news show if there were cases he would not love his enemies. He replied there were and gave examples of his family and his personal freedom. I know he must have read the Sermon on the Mount. I am certain he has not understood that Sermon.
Matthew 5:38-48 gives divine instruction that seems to be counter to what the popular preacher stated. I am not surprised he did not quote them.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.”
When was the last time you heard a sermon on the application of those verses for us today? These words were also difficult for the first Christians to accept. But Jesus kept speaking them, he kept giving examples to live by and finally with the power of the Holy Spirit the early Christians not only accepted them but lived by them.
For a moment consider the life of Peter, to whom Jesus entrusted so much. It was Peter who drew a sword to physically defend Jesus. And Jesus rebuked him for it. (Matthew 26:51-54) It was Peter who denied Jesus three times out of fear. And Jesus forgave him. (Mark14:66-72) And it was Jesus who made Peter whole.
The Gospel of John records the following in chapter 21:15-19. As you read it consider the statements made by the popular Christian author.
“So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.” He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.”
Jesus asks Peter three times if Peter really loves Jesus. Peter adamantly states he does. Jesus then tells Peter what that human price will be to him for his love to his Lord: He will lose his freedom and his life. Tradition tells us that Peter’s wife was also crucified with him. In a time of agony he exhorted her to remember their Lord.
After Jesus tells Peter he would lose his freedom and his life, Jesus gave him two simple words: “Follow Me.” It appears the Christian author is unwilling to follow Jesus in the same way Jesus asked Peter to.
Without the Spirit of the Lord embedded in his heart Peter drew a physical sword and denied his Lord three times. With the Spirit of the Lord in his heart Peter never again is reported to use the physical sword even when it meant he would lose his freedom, his family and his life. Even while being tortured we never again hear of him denying his Lord.
It is easy to put the joys of the present world above all else. But Jesus asks us to put Him above all else and to "Follow Him". The only question is will we?
1 And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. 2 Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:
3 “ Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
For they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
For they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
17 “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18 For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. 19 Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds therighteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
27 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. 31 “Furthermore it has been said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32 But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immoralitycauses her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery.
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. 41 And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? 48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
1 “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 3 But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.
