much time and hot air is spent on talking about what followers of Christ should be doing with their lives. or not doing. or saying and not saying. or not thinking. or thinking. and it’s a huge mess. i’m very interested in understanding (and then acting upon) how we should live and what sets apart a believer from a follower and why, frankly and devastatingly, being a believer is not enough. there’s a fallacy that subtly allows Christians, should they choose to internalize a certain popular belief system, to let themselves off a hook that is actually far sharper and far more deeply embedded than they realize. and while this post springs from a memory of an exercise conducted during a theology class dealing with old testament versus new testament, i can’t get there yet since i’m tired. i’m exhausted and it feels like i’ve been holding my breath for a very long time now, swimming frantically from the bottom of a very deep ocean. beams of sunlight are dancing around me with increasing intensity as i get closer to the surface, and i know that if i can simply refrain from inhaling water, that i’ll be ok in a few strokes, a few seconds. but omigod, how slowly those seconds slide by. like Chinese water torture. or American water boarding, more appropriately.
and i wonder what i could possibly say to the interrogator to convince it that i’ll do what it wants.
the Chinese, although their oppressive communist government does some pretty awful things, get a bum rap about torture. think of all the great things they have brought to the world. like fireworks. and pandas. and chow mein. and water torture. you just can’t get away from it.
so i attempt to address the questions begging, at the table, looking pathetic with big, soft puppy eyes: what is following? what is believing? over the course of about 20 minutes, i started reading through the gospel of Matthew. the following sentences are recorded orders Jesus gave. things that Jesus said “do” which may reasonably be applied to a general audience, to anyone who has ears, rather than a direct command to an individual or specific group.
think of this as an introduction to steps, broad or narrow, that are only paces behind Jesus as he walks. as he leads. there are a lot of them. and i stopped after my eyes crossed from staring at a computer screen after many hours of work. but there were a lot of laws and instructions given to Israel. and as Jesus came not to abolish the law, but to fulfill it, perhaps these orders take a new precedence? perhaps not. but be blessed by the very words (as best as we know) of Jesus Christ, Son of David, Son of Man, Son of God.
-repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.
-come, follow me and i will make you fishers of men.
-let your light shine before men that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
-do not think that i have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets.
-anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment.
-if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. first go and be reconciled to your brother, then come and offer your gift.
-settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court.
-if your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out. if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off.
-do not swear at all, either by heaven… or by the earth… let your ‘yes’ be ‘yes’ and your ‘no’ be ‘no.’
-do not resist an evil person… turn the other cheek… let the one who sues you take your tunic, and let him have your cloak as well… give to the one who asks you.
-love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you… be perfect.
-be careful not to do your acts of righteousness before men.
-when you give to the needy, do so discreetly.
-when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites. go into your room. close the door and pray. don’t keep on babbling like pagans in prayer.
-this is how you should pray: our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name…
-when you fast, do not look somber… put oil on your head and wash your face.
-do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth. store up treasures in heaven.
-do not worry about your life… or about tomorrow.
-do not judge. do not give to dogs what is sacred or throw pearls to pigs.
-ask. seek. knock.
-do to others what you would have them do to you.
-watch out for false prophets.
-go, and learn what this means: ‘i desire mercy, not sacrifice.’
-(since workers are few), ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest field.
-as you go, preach this message: ‘the Kingdom of heaven is near.’ heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. freely you have received, freely give.
-don’t be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.
-come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and i will give you rest.
i’m trying to go to Jesus, with every ounce of effort i have left in me. where are you going?





