This was the recent request of a friend who probably is somewhat fed up finding my posts, which he sees as often combining my views on religion (of a fundamentalist ilk) and politics (right wing) and not about those things he cares about and, in his opinion, so did Jesus.

This was in response to my posting a link to a video on my Facebook page to do with Climate Change and the foolishness of a culture that embraces wrong teaching on it (I should add – not a particularly helpful one but done in order to accumulate information to be able to later more robustly argue my case) exposing the errors being pushed and how Jesus might have tackled the issue. This is a subject that I will return to in due course, because I am perturbed finding good Christian people conned on this and other matters while ignoring concerns they should be addressing but, as for now, I will take up my friend’s challenge, even though it is more by way of off the cuff than deep dive. While I have deeply examined Jesus’ teachings on many subjects, I have been helped here by Meta AI. I give my thoughts on my friend’s subjects, which were:

1. Jesus and wealth
2. Jesus and loving your neighbour
3. Jesus and taking care of children
4. Jesus and adultery and divorce
5. Jesus and peace, non-violence, loving your enemies and turning the other cheek
6. Jesus and judging other people
7. Jesus and religious rules
8. Jesus and how to be better human beings

Jesus and wealth

One thing we learn from reading the Four Gospels is that Jesus engaged with many individuals from all walks of life, including the very poor and very rich. While He had a special affinity for the poor and His own lifestyle was one of having few possessions, He also had compassion toward the rich. While He would not indulge them if making money their love and god (e.g. ref. the story of the Rich Young Ruler and His teaching on the lure of riches to away from God), He didn’t rebuke them for being wealthy. But He would have been appalled at today’s prosperity preachers and commended those who were prepared to give up everything in order to follow Him. Wealth was a commodity which could/should be used to further the Kingdom and not for self indulgence while neglecting the poor.

Rather than elaborate on the subject here, I refer readers to my series, titled “What is the right Christian approach to money” I wrote seven years ago (see here and see here), where I argued the case that I believe is consistent with Jesus’ teaching, which in effect is we are meant to be good stewards of what we have. While this is to do with individual wealth, Old Testament principles of justice to the poor and proper use of wealth by authorities were ones He supported. He did not call to overthrow the political system. He did call on His followers to obey the powers that be and “render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s” Matthew 22:21.

Jesus and loving your neighbour

“The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these” Mark 12:29-31. These words of Jesus show us what were His priorities. And to leave us in the no doubt who is our neighbour and what loving him/her entails, He told the story of the Good Samaritan. This teaching along with what has become known as the Golden Rule: “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” Matthew 7:12, has enormous implications for us in the way we deal or should deal with our neighbour.

Jesus and taking care of children

One of the earliest Bible texts I can recall was: “But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God” Luke 18:16. One that I came across later was: “It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones” Luke 17:2. Both texts highlight the love Jesus had for children. He was drawn toward them as much because of their innocence and simple trust, which he wanted all of us to follow, along with His concern for their welfare and protection.

Taking care of children is of utmost importance and no doubt Jesus followed the teachings of the Old Testament where this was primarily seen as the responsibility of parents. One of the grave tragedies of our age is the exploitation of children through sexual and other abuse, including the widespread trafficking of children, as well as more subtle forms, e.g. bullying or not teaching them the right way to live or cultivating good values and habits or failing to help their development, and their indoctrination, e.g. schools promoting a transgender and permissive ideology. Not only should parents be encouraged to take their parental duties seriously but society needs to protect children by not pushing ideologies that are not according to Jesus’ teaching, but rather those that are.  

Jesus and adultery and divorce

Without ascribing motives to my friend, who is gay, I suspect he takes exception at gay bashing Christians while at the same time ignoring these subjects. According to Meta AI (and I agree):

Jesus’ teachings on divorce, adultery, remarriage, and homosexuality are rooted in his emphasis on love, commitment, and the sanctity of marriage.

Divorce and Remarriage

Jesus taught that divorce is only permissible in cases of sexual immorality (porneia), and even then, it’s not a command but a permission. He emphasized that marriage is a lifelong commitment, and divorce can lead to adultery. In Matthew 5:32, Jesus says, “Anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery”. This teaching highlights the gravity of breaking the marital bond.

Adultery

Jesus expanded the definition of adultery beyond physical acts, saying that lustful thoughts can also constitute adultery (Matthew 5:28). He emphasized that adultery is a betrayal of the marriage covenant and can be grounds for divorce.

Homosexuality

Jesus didn’t explicitly mention homosexuality, but his teachings on marriage and sexuality imply that he viewed marriage as a union between a man and a woman. In the context of his time, Jesus’ emphasis on faithfulness and commitment suggests that he would not have condoned same-sex relationships as a form of marriage.

Jesus and peace, non-violence, loving your enemies and turning the other cheek

The first thing to say is it is what Jesus taught us. The second is that we live in a time of war, violence and enemies who hate us, able and willing to strike us on our cheek (or worse), begging the question how to respond? When Jesus says “blessed are the peacemakers” (Matthew 5:9) my heart’s response is let me be one of them. We are also told to live in peace with those around us as far as we can. With so much by way of conflict going on in the world, some (maybe much) of which affects us personally and some of it avoidable if there was more give and take, good rather than bad people leading the way, failing to understand or respect those who see things differently to us, we can see how much peacemakers are needed. As for the people who hate and harm us (personally) or just do us wrong, I have found through hard experience that it is difficult not to retaliate or harbour grudges, yet that is what Jesus tells us to do. But there may be a case for bearing arms and fighting to protect our family, community or country. Also, as I have found out from painful experience, we should not allow ourselves to be bullied or manipulated by others, or else have to face the consequences.

Jesus and judging other people

Jesus’ teaching on “Judge not, lest ye be judged” (Matthew 7:1-5) is a call to humility, self-reflection, and compassion. Jesus warned against judging others hypocritically or self-righteously. When He said this, He didn’t mean we shouldn’t discern right from wrong, but rather that we should avoid condemning others, without good cause or in the right spirit or pretending to be perfect. Judging those who differ from us in the way they live or what they say or do is something even the best among us succumb to. There is something to say for what Meta AI says in response to my question: “What is Jesus’ teaching on judging others”? Key Principles – Humility: Recognize our own flaws and limitations, Self-Reflection: Examine our own hearts and actions before judging others, Compassion: Treat others with kindness and understanding, rather than condemnation. Jesus’ teaching encourages us to focus on our own spiritual growth, cultivate humility and compassion, and leave judgment to God. I have found (but not always practiced) before speaking/writing on a subject that could be seen as judging others that I should ask three questions: is it true; is it necessary; is it kind?

Jesus and religious rules

When I asked Meta AI what was Jesus’ approach to keeping religious rules, it told me:

Jesus’ attitude towards keeping religious rules was centered around prioritizing love, mercy, and compassion over strict adherence to rules and traditions. He often challenged the Pharisees and religious leaders of his time for focusing too much on the letter of the law, rather than its spirit.

Love and Mercy Over Rules:

Jesus emphasized the importance of loving God and loving others, quoting the greatest commandments as “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” and “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-39).

Challenging Traditions:

Jesus broke rules and traditions when they got in the way of helping others or showing kindness. For example, he healed on the Sabbath, touched lepers, and ate with sinners, which were seen as violations of Jewish law and tradition.

Prioritizing People Over Rules:

Jesus taught that the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath (Mark 2:27), emphasizing that rules should serve humanity, not the other way around.

Condemning Hypocrisy:

Jesus criticized the Pharisees for their hypocrisy, saying they “honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me” (Matthew 15:8-9). He denounced their focus on tithing and external appearances while neglecting justice, mercy, and faithfulness.

Fulfilling the Law:

Jesus didn’t come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17). He taught that the law was meant to guide people towards love and righteousness, rather than just following rules for their own sake.

Overall, Jesus’ attitude towards religious rules was one of balance and compassion. He emphasized the importance of following God’s laws and principles, but also recognized that these laws were meant to serve humanity, not control it.

I agree! It is said there are 613 commandments in the Old Testament and as a good Jew Jesus kept them all! But He wasn’t religious! His raison d’être was to do His Father’s will. That should be ours too!

Jesus and how to be better human beings:

We have already referred to Jesus’ teaching commonly referred to as “The Sermon on the Mount”. Where better to begin than by referring to it (Matthew chapters 5-7). But Jesus wasn’t primarily about telling us we need to be better human beings and how to go about it, but rather His was a call to repentance and faith, to follow Him and His Father. If we do that, the rest will surely follow!