I can’t imagine reading and wading through all this human muck, contained in hundreds of thousands of pages in commentaries about a 1600 page collection of books we call the Bible.
List of Bible Commentaries
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_biblical_commentaries
Now, all these words, from the wordy, have become an occupation, hobby and doctoral level pursuit. The all important “study to show yourself approved” which Paul uttered in exhortation (64 dollar word for encourage) to his young protege’ Timothy to whom he wrote two letters. These letters are included in the canon (64 dollar word for “that’s what I’m talking about”) collected and compiled by pre-reformation priests of the catholic church, if I have it right.
Jesus gave us one command, in John 15: 17, to cover all the commands. The cost of love is sacrifice. Sacrifice which Jesus in paramount demonstration beginning later that night and through the next day did, finishing the work at John 19: 30. “Tetelustai”, when translated: “It is finished.”
In that instant thousands of things were fulfilled. Too numerous to list, however, Daniel was vindicated as a prophet, the curtain concealing the Most Holy Place in the temple was torn top to bottom, the sky grew dark and most significant one of the Romans soldiers who nailed Jesus to the prior prophesied cross, standing witness, fell to his knees and said, “surely this was the Son of God.”
I earned a mechanical engineering degree and read 100 or so books to include the basic liberal arts getting an AA in Liberal Arts with a Minor in math. After earning it (BSME) I am on top of the overview of the curriculum. Unable to maintain intimate relationship with all the details of the individual subjects and the math to Differential Equations in Matrix Algebra. Most engineering does not require this level of knowledge. But I know which book to find it in and having completed it can reestablish as required.
I know who Einstein, Pascal, De Carte and Newton are, but I don’t know what they individually thought or said and this, God being the engineer over the mechanics of his creation it is mine to discover or to apply in design. In this arena I am very confident in my competence and unafraid, also knowing where to go when I meet any doubt or need to remember.
Jesus spoke to the rich young ruler who asked, sincerely apparently, because he was sad and went away when Jesus was finished answering. Luke 18: 18-29:
A certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
[19] “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good — except God alone. [20] You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.'”
[21] “All these I have kept since I was a boy,” he said.
[22] When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
[23] When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was a man of great wealth.
[24] Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! [25] Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
Jesus interjected the cost of love here. Of course the commentaries focus on the commandments and begin reading Jewish Law, after its demise, at the hand of God, outside Israel (where it was given and applicable) and after its end into their study and over their flock. Oooops!
[26] Those who heard this asked, “Who then can be saved?”
[27] Jesus replied, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.”
[28] Peter said to him, “We have left all we had to follow you!”
[29] “I tell you the truth,” Jesus said to them, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God [30] will fail to receive many times as much in this age and, in the age to come, eternal life.” (NIV)
Here the commentators, probably, (I’ve never read them and have zero intention of doing so, ever) fail to connect this up with Jesus in another place. Mark 8: 34; Matthew 16: 24:
“If you want to be my disciples you must deny yourself, pick up your cross and come to me.” (NIV)
This is one of the commands of Christ. Beginning to do this everyday brings transforming maturity through persevering with Jesus.
Jesus here (Lord Please Don’t make me write commentaries) spoke the the young man the First Commandment. Love the Lord Your God … but Notice he did not quote from the Stone Tablets of Moses … . Peter’s question in it’s essence is “When I am Secretary of State Won’t I be rich and comfortable … like the young ruler … Jesus???”
Alternative Commentary [my own to demonstrate absurdity]: Hey why not use it to justify multiple wives Jesus bring me a doctor, a lawyer, a dentist, a widely published professor and a dishwasher, all loaded and sexy with collections of exotic cars. And a Learjet, “I’m in the High Fidelity First Class Traveling Section Think I need a Learjet.” Pink Floyd.
Those claiming the BIG LIE in their obeying the law of Moses which Peter, Paul, John and James admit they could not, nor is anyone justified by doing so, is just as in the flesh as the rich ruler or the Alternative commentary. If you’re going with the law you might as well go with the harem and the Learjet.
Nor is this a blanket call to poverty and piety. If the Lord blesses use it wisely for eternal treasure.
JESUS MADE AN EXPLICIT ARRANGEMENT TO CLARIFY
It apparently goes unheeded!
Plainly he tells us in Matthew 10:
“These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7 As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ [NO MOSES?] 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy,[a] drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.
9 “Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts—10 no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep. 11 Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave.12 As you enter the home, give it your greeting. 13 If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. 14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet. 15 Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.” (NIV)
So why do people not accept as the truth (Command of Christ: Believe in me) in Matthew 15: 24:
“He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” (NIV) What does ONLY mean?
And why, being Gentiles, don’t they listen to this command of Christ, as Ananias did Act 9: 15:
“But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.” (NIV)
Not the long list of commentators (comment taters), Not Peter, Not Titus, Not James, Not ad nauseum. Paul, expert in the law, Roman Israelite persecutor and Murderer taken by Jesus right in the act of sin, as Gentiles are taken. Wisdom: “God does not have any grand children.”
Your demonstration of power meant nothing too them at all, Lord. The country is under judgment by corrupt FBI just precisely as you told them through me. Chris Queen 2/8/2019. Please seek Jesus through believing him and ask him to speak by his Spirit (John 16: 12-14) and teach you his will. Abide in the vine, as he commands (command of Christ) with discernment through the Spirit of truth and the Word. If you are new read John, then Acts realizing the church began for Gentiles in Acts 9, and read Paul’s Letters (Epistles) since he is the Lord’s chosen instrument to proclaim his name to you, like the Bible says, in red letters.
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