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Jesus of Nazareth was a Jewish carpenter that was born about 2,000 years ago in Bethlehem, which is now a Palestinian city located in the central West Bank about 10 kilometers south of Jerusalem. Over the course of a very short period of time (about a year) Jesus developed a large following as a miracle worker and religious teacher. He was publicly executed by crucifixion around the year 35, and many millions believe the historical narrative that he was raised from the dead after three days in a tomb, and later ascended into the heavens.
Below is an English translation of one of Jesus' very famous outdoor lectures, which was widely shared by his disciples that were present, and eventually written down circa 70-90.
If you take 5-10 minutes to read this sermon, then you will know what being a Christian is actually supposed to mean.
I like to read this first thing in the morning, immediately followed by a few minutes of meditation where I sit quietly listening. I would not expect everything in the reading to speak to you, but I believe something will, as is always the case for me.
Excerpted the Gospel of Matthew - Chapters 5-7
The Beatitudes
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Salt and Light
“You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot.
“You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
The Law and the Prophets
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Concerning Anger
“You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not murder’; and ‘whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, ‘You fool,’ you will be liable to the hell of fire. So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.
Concerning Adultery
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell.
Concerning Divorce
“It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I say to you that anyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
Concerning Oaths
“Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.’ But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let your word be ‘Yes, Yes’ or ‘No, No’; anything more than this comes from the evil one.
Concerning Retaliation
“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.
Love for Enemies
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Concerning Almsgiving
“Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven.
“So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Concerning Prayer
“And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
“When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
“Pray then in this way:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And do not bring us to the time of trial,
but rescue us from the evil one.
For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Concerning Fasting
“And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Concerning Treasures
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
The Sound Eye
“The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light; but if your eye is unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!
Serving Two Masters
“No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.
Do Not Worry
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
“So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
Judging Others
“Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. For with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbor, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ while the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor’s eye.
Profaning the Holy
“Do not give what is holy to dogs; and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under foot and turn and maul you.
Ask, Search, Knock
“Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for bread, will give a stone? Or if the child asks for a fish, will give a snake? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
The Golden Rule
“In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets.
The Narrow Gate
“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
A Tree and Its Fruit
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will know them by their fruits.
Concerning Self-Deception
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many deeds of power in your name?’ Then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; go away from me, you evildoers.’
Hearers and Doers
“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great was its fall!”
Now when Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.
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I know that carousal you ride. Forever turning but always going nowhere. Ride the hate my friend until you've had enough. It's your choice. But you are here looking for answers under the vehemence. That is better than apathy.
Miffed
Maybe there is a way to share without all of the personal details? I am interested.
I have been tempted to submit it to Tyler for consideration. It is allegorical so personal details would be only understood by myself. It is my journey but there are others who helped me along the way and walked with me for a while when I was lost and in trouble. But in the end I discovered it was my journey and mine alone. If it were to help others on their Way, I would gladly do it.
Miffed
Miffed, no disrespect intended, but I would wager that nearly everyone could tell a story about a struggle in their life and almost everyone has demons in the form of internal emotional upheaval at some period in their life. For some, the struggle only ends when they do. The thing is to see everyone around us with compassion and grant their struggles the same importance as we do our own. I see so much ego in religion despite its claim to selflessness. As corny as it sounds, the answer to every question is love. There are two main emotional reactions in the world - love and fear. We can choose to live in fear or we can live in the absence of fear, which is love.
Peace
Absolutely agree. This is why I am reticent. To share something of my journey has Ego. It may have the implication I am " higher" or somehow more spiritually advanced than another. This is not my aim whatsoever because simply, I am not. I'm just a microbiologist working in a lab day to day. No bodhi tree anywhere in sight. I would not feel right if this would hurt another on their path. Thanks for your perspective. This helps.
Miffed
"It may have the implication I am " higher" or somehow more spiritually advanced than another."
Ummmm.........I wouldn't be too concerned about that.
As any alcoholic, drug addict, etc can tell you... there is usually a low point required in order to change drastically. A crisis where you are faced with your consequences and forced to make a decision. That low point is either used as a pivot point where you decide you've had enough, or it's just another speed bump on your downward spiral.
Yawn.
~H L Mencken
Puritanism: The haunting fear that someone, somewhere, may be happy. H. L. Mencken
Blessed are they who expect nothing,
for they shall not be disappointed.
Rhoda's mother, from some long dead sitcom
Hedgeless, thanks for the post. as a long time friend of Bills I have truly seen miracles happen. When a thousand forms of selfishness is replaced with a simple concern for others and time spent in the service of those less fortunate, the Spirit awakens.
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name..."
Interesting, note "ME". I noted yesterday many talkin about the "favorable religion list" post, stating "Christians believe Jesus is the Son of God", saw no one really explain that ACTUALLY CHRISTIANS BELIEVE JESUS WAS GOD COME DOWN FOR A VISIT.
That's what most miss, when comparing Christianity to other "religion", it's not about religion to the Christian, start by understanding this.
+1 hedge
Yeah, so if any of you are married and have looked upon another woman with lust, please tear your right eye out. NOW.
LOL.
Is it possible to have a negative number of eyes? Poor Mr Miffed must be in the thousands. Why should I care? He loves me and holds me in his heart. He is also a lusty male who have given me his heart as well. When you express love for each other and laugh at your animalistic tendencies, the grabbing and wanting to possess another fades. Freedom and contentment are then possible.
Miffed
Is that you honey?
Thanks for adding to the discussion BV, that made no sense given the context of the article. You almost make as much sense as the CDC... do you work for the .Gov?
The Sermon on the Mount was not written for "you" or for "them". It was written for ME! I see an awful lot of, "Yeah! THOSE PEOPLE!!! in the comments above.
What does this passage have to do with the FED? Not a thing.
What does it have to do with .GOV? Absolutely nothing. With your neighbors or your co-workers? Does not apply to them. This is one of those things where you read it, and know that "It's all about ME" this was written TO ME!!
And if you take that position, if you believe in that position and practice the things in this passage, then you will "get it", apply it, and your life will change.
As I read it through I didn't think about the other people in the world. I thought about me. I thought about each little part of it, and used it as a measuring stick for my life. "How am I doing with THIS? Hummm... I could do better with that one. Oops! Messing up there."
I will now think of YOU, and make a suggestion. Reread it. Yeah... it's kinda long - but so's eternity. YOu have "things to do, but what's more important than getting it RIGHT? If you sincerely examine your life NOW, I bet ya a little investment of time NOW will make your life, and eternity, a whole lot nicer.
Exactly. Same with the 10 Commandments. If you are a Jew or Christian and you actually get past the 1st Commandment and think "I got that one covered" you aren't being very honest with yourself.
Which is the entire point of Christ on Earth. Right?
Amen.
Who killed Jesus ? If you can answer that one question out loud then you know the ills of the last 2000 years. But don't condemn any group of people because of a few SCUMBAGS.
Actually, I did. That's what every single honest Christian should actually respond with to your question, if they are honest with their religious beliefs. I killed Him.
And what has changed in 2,000 years? Nothing, the nature of man and the human condition is timeless. If there is a Hell, it is likely overflowing.
Matt 5-7 is the greatest, highest communication in the he history of the world. There are parts of it that prove to me there is a God because no mere man would or could say the things in this passage much less expect others to live it.
So in one society u have a bunch of scientist, mathematicians, educators, billionaires, and whomever else our society holds dear today and worships. In the other society you just have people who "love their neighbor as themselves". Which one would you want to live in? Well, you do live in one of those societies. How's that working out? No problem with math or scientist. I am just contrasting what people today think is important vs. what is. I am still looking for the college that offers a degree in character.
Always amazes me how many people hate God, Jesus (God in flesh), and those who follow Him as if we r the problem with the world or we hate everyone. Thanks HH for reminding people what the definition of Christian really is. None of us live it well or all the time (another proof of divine origin) but those of us that are real, truly desire to live it.
Of course the Rabbi Jesus was reminding and teaching what was forgotten and/or perverted by the Priests of the Temple of Roman accommodation. Today's churches are not Biblically based for the most part either. They represent the 'Temple of Olsteen.' I'm not against the guy, but he isn't teaching the Book.
Pretty words. I have NEVER met a self proclaimed christian yet that comes any where near following them........period. The sheep always scurry to the comfort of the herd when the wolves are howling in the shadows. Humans are absolutely pathetic, and predictable. Intelligent people should know better, but we just can't seem to shake off those deep seated instincts. Sad. But, hey.......if you find comfort in this sort of pablum, good for you. Unfortunately, it is far too transparent for me.
"I have NEVER met a self proclaimed christian yet that comes any where near following them........period."
And you make the entire point of Christ's ministry and Christ's death and resurrection and the deperate faith with which so many Christians live. Of course no Christian comes near to following Christ's example or His teaching. Christians are, after all, human. What they are, in fact, is men and women just like you, but they recognize that their sin mandates a sentence of eternal damnation, BUT FOR Christ. You, and those of the "I am too intelligent to ever believe 'pablum'" ilk (e.g., Stephen Hawking), simply fail to appreciate sin and/or that no man can live if he dies in sin. Only those whose faith opens their hearts can be saved, through the Grace of God and his gift of Jesus Christ, and live eternal life. If you remember nothing else in all of life--if you believe in nothing else--remember and believe what Christ said: "I am the Way and the Truth and Life. No one comes to the Father but through Me."
Just as any man can claim to be spreading God's word, and many may follow the wolf in sheep's clothing.
I believe the "rapture" will happen in my lifetime.
I believe the "rapture" will not hapen in my lifetime.
OK, let's take a little survey. Just for you fantasy fans!
Even if I do not hold all of these beliefs, why would I purposely and publicly spit on the Bible?
Are you trying to say that if a person doesn't believe a book to be true, that person is spitting on that book? Wow, what a good christian you are! This is the typical christian mentality on display right here. I guess you have been banned from the public library by now for covering the fiction section with your bodily fluids. Nice.
I don't believe in a "rapture". It's not in the Bible. Of those who I've asked, (from believers who have questioned it) they are told that it's based on the "disappearance" of "the Church" after Rev chapter 4. To them, I suggest they keep reading.
It looks to me like a "Christ without cost" issue. ie if a person REALLY believes, they won't have to go through the persecutions/murders/tortures of the "end times" - God is giving True Believers (TM) a get-out-of-crap-free card. I'd suggest they tell that one to the 1st century Christians. I'm sure they'll get a hearty laugh from it.
Toolshed,
The eschatology or end times stuff is not something that all Christians agree on. Why? Jesus didn't talk a whole bunch of specifics about it. Why? It's not core Gospel. The core Gospel is simple: 1) You cannot live a perfect life, but you should still try anyway. 2) Jesus died to cover the parts of your life where you're not living a perfect life.
Sort of like math, we all agree on fundamentals like 2+2. But when you get into the highest echelons of math there is debate on the finer points like Infinity http://www.livescience.com/37077-infinity-existence-debate.html
The Bible is absolutely LOADED with end-times prophecy.
Daniel and the Revelation are the most prominent, but Isaiah and Jeremiah are full as well. Isaiah 2:2 clearly states "And it will come about in the last days." Read the following text, and tell me it doesn't describe EXACTLY what is going on right now. Read Revelation 18, and tell me that it didn't describe The United States to a 't.'
It's there. "He who has an ear, let him hear."
Yeah. Problem is, no one knows what Jesus said since no original writings by him exist today. The bible, old and new testament, have been re-written by human men many, many times. Any time a human re-writes or translates a document they tend to apply their own interpretation, or "spin". The only major religious text, that I am aware of, which still exists as originally written is the Quran.
I think that the Koran was also written years, even decades after Mohammed's ascent to Heaven.
Exactly. The whole point of Christianity is in two premises 1) You cannot live a perfect life, but you should try to anyway. 2) Jesus died to cover over the parts of your life where you failed at being perfect.
Amen!
For the record:
There is no historical evidence for the existence of Jesus as described in the New Testament. What chronology exists based on cross referencing ancient Roman records to early Christian accounts put his birth year 2-7 BC. He was not Born on Dec 25...that was written later.
He did not gain a large following during his lifetime.. Saul of Tarsus (later St Paul), a younger contemporary was the great builder of the Chrisitan tradition.. he never met Jesus at least in the flesh.
Jesus if he existed, left no written words.. surprising but true..his most memorable alleged sermons were recalled later by some of his disciples and committed to paper afterwards.. the New Testament.
He seems to have been some kind of liberal/socialist with a fondness for turning the other cheek, persecuting the rich, hanging out with prostitutes and fishermen... not at all like the Christian demagogues who pollute our airwaves today, looking for even more of your money.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronology_of_Jesus
The Roman historian Josephus references Jesus.
There are actually 24,000 documents(some redundant but separate, admittedly) from roughly the period conforming Jesus. The "guy" existed. Who was the "guy"? That's the question. Wiki is a mixed bag, to say the least. By all means study further, "TrulyStupid"(aren't we all?)
Where do you get the liberal/socialist? He said for me to help the poor, he didn't tell .gov to do it. Since when do socialists turn the other cheek? Last I checked the progressive/socialist movement in the 20th century was responsible for more murders and deaths than all of human history.
Best check again.
20th century wars:
WWI - arch conservatives paraded the "patriots" of each country into one anothers WMD by the hundreds of thousands for no apparent reason whatsoever.
WWII - National Socialists (corporate-statists) (Germany, Italy, Japan) embarked on genocidal attacks on Communists (Russian corporate statists). In Asia the new Imperialists (Japan) took on the old conservative reactionary regimes in China and the remnants of the British Empire.
Vietnam- Imperial America (Military Industrial neo fascist) gets its ass whupped by democratic- socialist Vietnamese after murdering 2MM Vietnamese.
Don't see any any progressive/socialist regimes murdering more people than all of human history...could you elaborate?
So, your "name" is "TrulyStupid," you cite wikipedia as authority for denying Christ, and you expect to be taken seriously?
I certainly don't expect to be taken seriously by the deluded, but just for the record the Wikipidea entry is a decent summary of facts... This article started with several outright falsehoods so it follows that subsequent statements are at best of questionable validity.
Wonderful reminder on a truthful and great web site zerohedge.
Amen!
Elderly Man: In the church, they say to forgive.
Creasy: Forgiveness is between them and God. It's my job to arrange the meeting.
from "Man on Fire"
Or, for more pithy movie mouthiness, I say WWCD!? "What Would Conan Do?"
I know not, for I never met the Cimmerian in my Hyborian travels as a corset and sock merchant. I do, however, know his answer to "what is best in life".
"To crush your enemies, to see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentations of their women!" -- Conan, from Conan the Barbarian
Thank you Hedgeless; I concur, a wonderful start to the week.
Therein lies the solution to nearly every issue raised on ZH.