Sitting through a very educational class yesterday, I learned that a lot of preconceived ideas I have about specific stories in the Bible, were incorrect. In some cases, the original language shed light on where the English language could not possible provide the actual intent. It was best effort really.
In other cases, my beliefs were built on tradition, or the history in which I have been told. Not unlike the time of the dark ages, where the Word was in Latin and people were simply told what it said, I can see the influence of being taught certain ways misses the meaning.
To that end, I think most of it was well intentioned. When you begin to understand the culture, the audience, the writer, and more importantly when you wrap them together as a single message, the Bible can take on new and exciting meanings. It was incredible to dive into parts of the scripture to discuss what was going on at the time!
All that being said though, none of that should take away from the “red letters”. We may get engrossed in discovering why Paul said this or that. Why Luke included certain things. The list goes on. But Jesus warns us, that when we start to hold onto these “laws” (or rules, or traditions) that we can easily lose sight of what He wants for us.
When He was asked what the greatest commandments were, Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:37-39 NIV.
Jesus did not discount the other commandments, He simply said these are the greatest. If you do these things, you will be far closer to the servant He desires us to be.....