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Friday, November 2, 2018

If Jesus repeats Himself, should we pay special attention to what He says?


Here is what prompted this question.

Luke 9:1-5(NKJV)
Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. 
He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. 
And He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey, neither staffs nor bag nor bread nor money; and do not have two tunics apiece.
“Whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. 
And whoever will not receive you, when you go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet as a testimony against them.”

Luke 10:1-16(NKJV)
After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. 
Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. 
Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves. 
Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals; and greet no one along the road. 
But whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ 
And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it; if not, it will return to you. 
And remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not go from house to house. 
Whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you. 
And heal the sick there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ 
But whatever city you enter, and they do not receive you, go out into its streets and say, 
‘The very dust of your city which clings to us we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near you.’ 
But I say to you that it will be more tolerable in that Day for Sodom than for that city.
“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. 
But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. 
And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades. 
He who hears you hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me.”

Jesus lays the foundation of the principal in Chapter 9 and then expands on it in Chapter 10.   

He sent people out to preach.  If a town accepted them then bless that town.  If not then curse the town.  Jesus says that those who reject His message will be punished with eternal damnation.  (brought down to Hades) 

So it seems to me that if Jesus took the time to say something twice, it must be pretty important to Him. 

Now let me introduce another dimension.  I saw a bumper sticker yesterday that said something like "I don't think Jesus meant kill them when He said love your enemies".  It seems to me that a lot of people who don't really study the Bible like to use cute little sayings like this to say that killing anyone or anything is immoral. 

I would however disagree with their premise.  I don't think loving your enemy necessarily  precludes killing them.  What do I base that view on?  The words of Jesus in both chapters cited above to start with.  Jesus said very specifically that those who refuse to accept His message will be condemned to Hell.  He loves all people including those who reject His message but that doesn't prevent Jesus from taking action against His enemies while He loves them.  So unless you want to go out on a limb and say Jesus acted in an immoral manner, I think the logic stands.  

And just in case you doubt that Jesus even has enemies let me provide another reference.

Philippians 3:17-19(NKJV)
Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. 
For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 
whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things. 

Now let me be crystal clear here.  I am not advocating that people should just go out and kill your enemies.  I'm not advocating that in any way.  What I am saying however is that if your enemies attack you, you are morally justified in defending yourself to the fullest extent needed to stop the attack that justified your defending yourself to begin with. 

Does that make sense?

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