Comments on: How many Christians understand Jesus’ teachings?

By: OhHolyKnight

OhHolyKnight — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 23:56:05 +0000

I understand the teachings of Jesus. I believe he said it best when he said, “Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household. He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it.” (Matthew 10:34-39)

“I did not come to bring peace”! Isn’t that the truth! How many conflicts have arisen because of that lunatic! Oh, did I misconstrue the passage? Alright, how about you guys tell me the snippets of the bible I should read and the other parts I should ignore.

By: What’s New With Mick :: Christian Challenge

What’s New With Mick :: Christian Challenge — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 05:54:47 +0000

[…] pointed out this excellent response to a local controversy over a poster depicting Jesus washing the feet of world leaders including […]

By: rrrryan

rrrryan — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 16:53:06 +0000

The presence of Obama, I mean Osama … woops. (no offense to Obama) … Adds a dimension for me. The simple fact that a righteous leader (as Osama claims to be) seeks to serve. Jesus contrasts the behavior of every person in that row, including that of a leader who brainwashes people with promises of eternal sex with 70 something virgins (do they stay virgins or what? I mean that would be strange, wouldn’t it?) to mutilate themselves and civilians for the leader’s own whims. I am not offended to see my Lord’s humble example flying in the face of human values. Especially in a message that translates to a global culture. For some folks on this planet that is bigger than America Osama is the good guy and Bush the bad guy.

BTW… we could have done without the petty comments about oral sex. At least my mention of virgin promises has some basis in fact and the issue at hand.

One final note though, however not offended I am by the image, I do disagree with the context. I am reasonably convinced that Jesus’ command to “wash each other’s feet” applied to the fellowship of believers. We are to pray for our enemies, and we are to love them as well (ouch), however until the “body is cleaned” cleaning the feet would be entirely futile. In short, I am convinced I should pray and try to love my enemy, but that doesn’t mean I help them accomplish their plans. I’ll focus my help on things like orphans, widows, sick, and hungry… I’ll leave the killing and stuff to the folks in that row.

Final, final note… anyone else having trouble shaking the relief over Hussein being gone? I’m sure if I knew him I would find a way to miss him.

By: dave

dave — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 08:42:56 +0000

jesus would not wash their feet today, the foot washing was an example, george bush should wash bin ladens feet, america should wash the worlds feet, then peace may come

By: Mat

Mat — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 16:17:58 +0000

As High Priest Jesus came to wash the feet of everyone. Jesus doesn’t decide whose feet get washed or not… the people in the chairs do and from what I know many of them have told him to piss off.

By: James Forsyth

James Forsyth — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 12:27:54 +0000

I agree with several others who have basically said that this picture bears no relation to what actually happened. First, Christ washed his disciples’ feet, not anybody else’s, and clearly not anyone who disagreed with him on religious issues, like Bin Laden. Second, if those whose feet he was washing did not actually follow him (i.e. both literally - 3 years of ministry and figuratively - as Saviour & Lord), then the picture is a silly provocation.

However, that said, I think I’d like to see both the painter of this picture, and the writer of this blog, make a similarly offensive gesture towards Islam. Oh, we can’t vilify Muslims, now, can we?

By: No_Angel: Disturbia p.2

No_Angel: Disturbia p.2 — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 12:23:29 +0000

[…] instead of the perpetrator, I hope i get to see a pastor coloring that page in a church near you…Golly Jesus what are you doing ! Here is a very intriguing painting by Lars Justinen of the Justinen Creative Group, now the funny […]

By: Cherie

Cherie — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 19:31:37 +0000

I think that Jesus is willing to cleanse anyone who would be willing to come clean. He also washed the feet of Judas even though He knew that he would betray Him. I think that what He was illustrating was that He has already made provision for whosoever will come to Him to be cleansed. The thing about the picture is that most of the folks illustrated probably don’t think they need cleansing and would never go to Jesus to appropriate the salvation which He has so graciously provided by shedding His precious blood on the cross to whosoever will come to Him.

By: Lon

Lon — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 14:56:47 +0000

@Troy C Pearsall: You ask who I am that I think I’m the final word on the attributes or behaviors that a Christian should have […]. In response, I’d first say that as all humans, I’m certainly fallible and am in no way the final word on anything.

However, inasmuch as I present a view that Jesus himself quite obviously shared, I do believe that it is as close to a final word on a given subject as is possible to obtain. Although there are insurmountable difficulties in determining Jesus’ exact words and His exact meanings of some of the things He allegedly said, I strongly believe that some of His teachings are indeed crystal clear and plain. There are overarching themes which don’t stand or fall based on on one or two random utterances, which source manuscript one uses, which translation one uses, or some logic-stretching exegesis which calls upon Paul’s embellishments or support from the Old Testament.

No, there were a couple of Jesus’ themes which don’t need scholarly research to determine. There are themes for which any rational person, spirit-led or not, can easily see with clarity. These themes hold true regardless of which source manuscript or translation one uses, and there cannot be any rational argument regarding them. And it is those themes that I use when making statements such as I do regarding these issues; it is those themes I use when evaluating other scripture and doctrine by using my god-given intellect and my spirit-borne intuition.

The fatherhood of God. The corresponding brotherhood of mankind. The concept of selfless service to both God and man, good works, being both the sublime expression of faith and the manner in which one can achieve the kingdom of God. That the kingdom of God is something that is within you.

These concepts are non-negotiable, and it is not just this human writer who has claimed them to be. Jesus Himself was repetitive and very clear on these points, not just by telling us so, but by living a life which exemplified these ideals. If you disagree, I’d return your charge that you should spend more time with the scripture, notably the parts written in red in the synoptic Gospels, and in prayer.

In short, if one disagrees that God is like a father, and all of mankind are like siblings of that Father, I respectfully submit that they are patently wrong. If one says that selfless service to one’s fellows is not something which exalts the one doing the service or that it does not move one towards the actual realization of the kingdom of God, I’ll definitively call them wrong. And I do so, not simply because any truly spirit-led individual can see/feel the truth in it for himself, but for the obvious fact that Jesus Himself insisted that these things were true.

By: Troy C Pearsall

Troy C Pearsall — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 05:45:36 +0000

Your opinion is your own and I have no problem with it. what scares me is that you would say that painting serves well as a litmus test for detecting false prophets.
Who are you that you think God has made you the final word on what attiributes or behaviors a Christian should have with relations to a painting or any other thing for that matter?
In truth I like the painting, but what scares me is that your writing would suggest that view which differ from your view is wrong.

I pray that you will come to know God and the teaching of Jesus Christ not with your man sented intellect but with spirit.

Just because your blog has aluded to the teaching of Christ Jesus does not mean you even have a clue to his teaching. I would suggest a little less time writting blogs for which you have no spiritual knowledge and more time reading the scriptures, prayer and meditaitons.

with Love your brother in Christ
Troy