Jesus On Current Issues Of His Day Which Still Apply Today

Jesus on Current Issues of His Day Which Still Apply Today Kelly Durant

Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.

2. Racism: The Good Samaritan Luke 10: 30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.

31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.

33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,

34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.

36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?

37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise. And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

What do we conclude from this example? Jesus made it clear that the one who does God’s will to help and heal, no matter the religion, position, or race is the one whom God favors because he chooses to show mercy. This is God’s all-inclusive love! Then said Jesus unto him, “Go, and do thou likewise”. Do what? Love those whom you may hate! God’s love is not limited by the differences or actual hate people have between their selves over race or religion. Samaritans were half Jew brothers to the Jews and they hated each other over the rude treatment which came from both sides. Religiously they did not see eye to eye either, but love is blind to color, race, ideals, culture, and past cruel history.

Infanticide and Pro-Life: Matthew 18:3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Jesus always exalted children, the innocent ones, the playful, joyous ones as the example of how we must be in our behavior concerning the way God wants us to live.

The implied here in Jesus statement is that children are wanted! In the Old Testament there were cultures that would practice infanticide and throw their babies into a fiery statue for sacrifice to the gods such as Molech. Here is a verse that proves how an Israelite stood up to this horrific practice. 2 Kings 23:10 And he defiled Topheth, which is in the valley of the children of Hinnom, that no man might make his son or his daughter to pass through the fire to Molech.

Here is another thing Jesus spoke about not offending an innocent child. Matthew 18:6 ‘But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.’ Life’s heartbeat begins after a few days of conception and we must respect the creator of life and allow our society to be full of children which will mellow us as adults into being more loving, innocent, and happy creatures as they are.

Bearing Arms: Luke 22: 38 And they said, ‘Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.’ Jesus and his disciples at times carried weapons.

Considering that Jesus escaped getting stoned by the Jews several times before he was crucified, we can conclude that His approach was more ‘flight’, than ‘fight’. Obviously none of his disciples ever used their swords to attack anyone,(expect when Peter cut off an ear and Jesus put it back on) but Luke 22: 38 confirms they owned swords. In other words Jesus propagated the idea that defense is good but offense is not. His offense was always with words, penetrating words of truth. Jesus words are “sharper than any 2 edged sword” and yet they are comforting within the discomfort of the truth. They are enlightening, saving, convicting, and His words also expose the hypocrisy and false teachings of those who pretended to be of God but were not.

And finally, Luke 11:21 ‘When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace:’ This verse implies being ready to defend from an attack but Jesus was not militantly aggressive. There have been some militant Christians throughout history but this is the wrong approach as Jesus made it clear in Matthew 26:52 Then said Jesus unto him, ‘Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword’.