Random Thoughts: Today’s Environment and Jesus – Lay Person’s Perspective Part Two

 

The Good Shepherd (or The Way of Jesus)

I’ve seen quite a bit of comments on various social media sites, sharing thoughts and opinions regarding the outcome of the election. I just want to recommend that we all take a breather before we start judging those who are posting their personal thoughts and opinions. They have every right to share these thoughts and opinions. Also, we are into the holiday season. A time for family and friends to gather and share memories and future dreams.

There is much that I can say about the outcome of the election. I won’t!  It’s a done deal and we must move forward. Let’s take this holiday season to be grateful for all of our blessings. If you are, at this moment, still experiencing any anxiety, frustration, or disappointment, please stop and write down three things that are a blessing in your life right now, today. Then reflect on it for a few moments.

Now back to what I want to say….

Remember do not be reactive. Take the time to be responsive. That requires us to think as carefully and objectively as possible before commenting. Be polite and respectful if responding to comments made via text, social media or while talking in person.

In the past couple of years, I have seen an increase of people making a comparison of Trump as a “savior” of America. I will do my best to do so without any judgment.  I hope to give a perspective that is not based on my personal political or religious views.

I will be making a comparison with some religious thoughts and stories that are in the Bible. I do this because of all the comparisons to the vision of the Messiah mentioned in the Old and the New Testament.

This is not to make a theological statement but to present an objective approach to viewing what is happening today in the political and religious sector with the history in the Bible.

No, I am not a bible scholar. But I have read the Bible and still do regularly. I read it to learn how my faith has evolved over the years. The Bible has influenced my spiritual growth and provided me with a baseline for ways to show compassion, generosity, and love. I also read it understanding that it has been first, passed down by word, and shared within families and communities. In time, writing (scrolls) became another way to pass down the history of the Jewish people and their faith at synagogues.

I have seen many, (way too many), references to specific sections of the Old Testament. I am not repudiating their historical accuracy. But I wonder if some of the commentators have pondered on the actual events. 

For those who have taken the road to seeing Trump as the savior of this country because you believe he has been anointed by God or is the second Messiah, beware of where you are taking that view from and why.

In the following statements, I am providing you with some things to consider.

·       In Samuel (1Samuel 8:4-20) in the Old Testament, when the Israelites asked that God appoint a king, God was not pleased with that request. Keeping in mind that God has given us a free will, according to scripture, God did as his people asked. 1Samuel 8 tells us how Israelites wanted a kind because the surrounding groups had a king. Samuel went to God in prayer. God reassured Samuel they were not rejecting him (Samuel) but God as their king. Read very carefully the words written in verses in 1Samuel 8.

·       If you see where we are today, the Jewish people do not have a king. Why?  I imagine is because a flawed human being is not capable of leading its people in a truly righteous way. Even King David, beloved by God, was unable to truly lead with righteousness. David’s human flaws caused him to sin against God. Finally, a time came when the Jewish people went through a series of events that changed their status throughout the centuries. Today they have a Prime Minister elected by the people.

In the Old Testament God has promised his people a Messiah that will free them from sin. Through the prophets, God provided signs of a Messiah that would be the savior of all nations. That Messiah would be born to a virgin.  That messiah was Jesus Christ. The Messiah would be born free from sin. He would be called, the “Son of God.” We learn about him in the New Testament.

Again, throughout the Old Testament and the New Testament as well as in historical data available to us, there are different beliefs of who this Messiah is, if he will have an earthly or heavenly reign, when he will appear, and how he will reign.  It is interesting to learn how pastors of different faith denominations are spreading the “Good News” of Jesus Christ. Ask yourself, ask them, where did their words come from? Is it based on the bible or someone's interpretation? How do they what Jesus taught? Do they adhere to what is emphasized in the Beatitudes, or do they mix and match what is in the letters and epistles by the writers of the New Testament

I caution you to remember, that most of the first followers of Jesus were the Jewish people. Their tradition was extremely important to them, and they followed many of those traditions while in exile and evangelizing.

Now to those who are comparing Trump to the “anointed,” “chosen,” or even, “Messiah.” Be very careful when making this comparison to another human who has been born in sin. Remember, Christ was born sinless.

Let me begin here with those who have taken to being cruel and dismissive of those who do not share your own views and then pointing to the Bible to justify that behavior. How is that being a follower of Christ, the Messiah? Where in those words and actions are you emulating Jesus when he walked the earth? Where, in the New Testament, do you read that Jesus called anyone a word that is belittling or

 If you are a Christian, then being cruel and dismissive of others is not what Jesus taught. Take a moment to reflect on that and if necessary, go back to Matthew 25 and read the Beatitudes that might help.

We are entering the Advent Season. Now might be a good time for all of us to read the scriptures that reference the coming of the Messiah and its significance to all of God’s children. Then, after the Advent Season, we will be entering the Passover Season. That’s a time to reflect on what Jesus teaches the apostles, the growth of his followers and the first 100 years after Christ was crucified.

I also urge you to remember that the first disciples and followers consider following Jesus, “The Way.” “Christians” mean followers of Christ. For me, there is a distinction. “The Way” is the path I take in my personal life based on what Jesus Christ taught. “Christian” means that, as Jesus taught, I will speak and act in ways that reflect I am following Jesus’ “The Way.”

Just food for thought.

Have a blessed day!