I spend some time each morning with the Bible. Needless to say, it is a big and complicated book. Sometimes it seems to be going in two directions at the same time. Recently I have come to understand the different parts of the Bible better by looking not only at what they say but why they say it. I spend some time considering what God was accomplishing.
It’s like peeling off the layers of an onion. Each layer of the Bible has a different purpose. Taken together, they are a cohesive whole with a profound message.
The first layer is the old testament. This begins with a history that begins with broad strokes and becomes more specific as it goes along. It transitions to a series of prophets who tell us what is coming…….what to expect. The old testament is foundational. It establishes basic rules. It sets the groundwork for a revolutionary change in how God runs the world.
The next deeper layer is the Gospels, and the letters of the new testament. These are supporting documents that establish the character of Jesus. They support his divinity. They tell us who Jesus is.
The final, and deepest layer is the teachings of Jesus……the “words in red”. This is the very heart of the Bible. The words of Jesus……his teaching……tell us why he is here. They tell us why we are here. And they tell us where we are going. The teaching of Jesus show us our destiny. As such the teachings of Jesus are the most important ideas in human literature.
So……..every human being needs to read these teachings. Even if you think that the Bible is nothing but a collection of outdated myths……..you need to read the words of Jesus. It only takes a few hours.
The words…..the teachings……of Jesus are the bedrock of Christianity. Your decision to accept or reject Christianity must be based on these words. Don’t get hung up on details from the old testament or some controversy in the gospels or the letters.
Judge Christianity based on what the man said……himself.
If, at the end, you accept his teaching…….say a prayer of thanks and begin preparing for your eternity……in paradise……with Jesus.
If, at the end, you reject his teaching…….if you conclude that Jesus was a madman (because that is the only other conclusion)……..I ask you to consider this.
What was it that Jesus said that offended you?
What did he tell you to do that was a bad thing?
What did he prohibit that was a good thing?
Not much. The teaching of Jesus is sound. It is a great blueprint to build your life on.
So, we come to the final question.
If the teaching of Jesus is sound……..and there is no doubt that it is………why do you reject it?
The answer to that question will be the explanation for the popularity of secular humanism. It will define for you the logic behind most of the choices that you will make today.
“you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
Jesus….Mark 12:30-31, ESV
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Jesus……Mathew 11:28-30, ESV