Note: This series is written as a first-person narrative in order to present Jesus in the context he walked with the unknown disciple that narrates presenting my thoughts and sparking more thoughts with his questions. Enjoy.
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”
Seriously? I don’t think I ever heard a teacher teach such radical dependence on God.
“Which of you,” Jesus waved his arm over the crowd, “if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”
My father was a good provider, and it makes sense that God would be an even better provider. A loving parent doesn’t give their children anything that can harm them.
“So in everything,” Jesus bore down on ‘everything’, “do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”
Really? Well, I don’t want to dishonor my parents, kill anyone, commit adultery, steal, lie, or covet people’s things. That’s six of the commandments that focus on my behavior towards others. That’s actually a very nice sum up.
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”
Now, this is different. We’ve been taught most Jews would be saved. Yet Jesus is saying most would be lost because the way is narrow. How do I know where the narrow gate is!?
Matthew 7:7-14
A Ronin's Journey 