AS – imperatives for listeners

“Instead I state to you, the listeners: Love those opposing you! Do good to those hating you! Announce good towards those cursing you! Pray for those mistreating you! To the one striking you on the cheek provide the other also! And from the one taking away your coat you may not withhold your shirt also. Give to everyone asking you! And from one taking away your things do not ask back! And just as you desire that the people might do to you, do likewise to them!” (Luke’s AD 60 research report re Jesus: Chapter 6: 27-38)

Luke’s researches led him into recording these recollections of Jesus’ teachings around AD29. This occasion saw a “great multitude … who came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases.” He “was healing all” and had then shocked all (see Info AR) with his ““Blessed ones the poor … But alas to you the rich ones …” Reality in a veneered world. Jesus continued to speak to this “great multitude”, this time (see red above and below) by commands to them all. His extensive use of the imperative tense can be seen when identified by exclamation marks. Was this, at that time, a kind of new Ten Commandments? If so, and if we everyone, even now, carried out Jesus’ commands, would the world change? Would the Ukraine war cease? Are these instructions dis-arming? The problem with it is that, whilst you may do the commands, others won’t. Given that to be the case, will you continue with the present world order?
“And if you love those loving you, what grace is in you, because the sinners also love those loving them? And if you may do good to those doing good to you, what grace is in you because even the sinners do the same? And if you may lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what grace is in you: sinners also lend to sinners so that they may receive back the same?”	.
To continue with the present world order – that is, to ignore Jesus’ commands above – is not a bad thing, is it? ‘Help me and I’ll help you.’ Three times Jesus asked them, those who followed this world’s order, “what grace is in you?” Is there any “grace” in me at all if I never love one who harms me? What, actually, is this “grace”? Do I need it? “On the contrary, love those opposing you! And do good! And lend, hoping nothing back! And your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the highest, for he himself is benovelent towards the ungracious and evil.” Jesus reverted to his imperatives, his commands to the “great multitude”. In doing so, he adds an amazing new dimension to those who follow his commandments – “your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the highest…” A “great reward”. Could human beings in that “great multitude” actually become “sons of the highest”? At present “the highest” in the world is either President Trump or President Xi Jinping. Do you want to be adopted by either, to become their son? Maybe not, because “the highest” to whom Jesus was referring “is benevolent towards the ungracious and evil”. “Become compassionate! Even as your Father is compassionate.” Another imperative. Another reason to obey the imperative. Your eternal God and “Father is compassionate.”
“And judge not! And you may never be judged. And condemn not! And you may never be condemned. Set free! And you will be set free. Give! And it will be given to you. They will give into the lap of you all fine measure - pressed down, shaken together, overflowing - because the measure which you measure will be measured back to you.”	.
More imperatives. Another reason Jesus gave in every case was the proportionate reciprocal good for the doers. The initial imperatives were good in themselves. Then a blessing arose from them – “grace” in you when you obey. Then two more blessings – “great reward” and “sons of the highest”. Then indications that doing the imperatives change the doer to be like “the highest”. Finally, the obeyed imperatives will be “good measure” for you – proportionally.

Sinner Syvret

Email this newsletter to a friend
*All mandatory fields must be filled in
Friend`s name
Friend`s email address *
Your name
Your email address *
Message

Send comment
*All mandatory fields must be filled in
Your name *
Your email address *
Your comment *