Jesus’ Calling Matthew 22:37-40

I finished my study of the gospels. It was a two-year adventure. Granted, I could have completed it faster, but it wasn’t a race. I’d read a few pages, and something would be revealed to me that I would write about and post at http://wrongwaylizzie.me. In 2018 and early 2019, I wrote nearly every day. I don’t write so much now. The books that have been milling around in my head are calling.

I read through them to know Jesus better—His words, His teachings. What did He care about? If I am going to do this thing right, I need to model me after Him.

I learned what I thought I would, that Jesus’ focus was different than most of today’s Christians. Not one word of homosexuality—not one. The sexual sin Jesus talked to was pointed right at heterosexual men (Matthew 5:31-32), “Go ahead and divorce your wives, but you cause her to commit adultery.” (Paraphrased)

Always, always Jesus was pointing people to look at themselves—to open and change their own heart, and from there, the changing power of love could flow. Yes, Jesus cares about unborn babies, but He also cares for the mother who is scared and alone and worried about how she might handle this new challenge. Jesus stood to protect many women, and even at the well (John 4),  He didn’t belittle the Samaritan woman or attempt to guilt her. He met her where she was, offered compassion, and helped her feel understood—the power of love to change a life.

I don’t see much of this sort of faith in broad sectors of the Christian faith. Willing to vote for a President because he is against abortion while he puts babies in cages and cuts programs that parents need to care for their children. If we want to save unborn babies, shouldn’t we meet their mothers at the well to offer compassion and understanding?

Matthew 22:37-40 (NIV)

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

I do not understand how so many Christians are missing what Jesus called us to do. I am so grateful I read the four books that were an account of Jesus’ life (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). So many mornings I felt like I was there with Him—there with them. It energized and renewed my faith. I’ll be reading Acts as I begin my book. I want to feel the passion of those in the early church. My spirit craves some of that.

Dearest Heavenly Father (Mother), please guide our word and deed with your compassion and understanding of others. It is only you, through love, that changes a heart and makes the world a better place. Please help me to be an instrument in your Grand Plans to bring people closer to your Healing Grace. In Your Mighty and Holy Name…