Please enable JavaScript.

Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.

How should we (Christians) live?, Context, Jesus’ Commandment of love =…

- - - - the way people should behave if the want to be part of God's kingdom
  - - - (Q = material in Luke & Matthew, not in Mark)
- - - - i.e. they are principles of behaviour rather than specific rules. thinking & application required. Jesus rarely gave specific rules
  - - - love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those wo curse you, pray for those who mistreat you
      - 1 - doing nice things for those who you like gains you no credit with God ... 'even sinners do that!' (Lk 6:32-45)
      - 2 - 'LOVE' is a practical requirement! don't just ignore them... actively DO things to show love
        
        LOVE = AGAPE (Greek) –the sort of love that comes from God and is based on God’s nature. Agape is when a person has a genuine concern and interest for the welfare of others, even when they are treated badly by that person
    - - if some one takes you coat give them your shirt as well
      - e.g. the parable of the God Samaritan - who pays for all costs
      - turn the other cheek
    - - 3)b Golden rule
        
        'do unto others as you wold have then do unto you' (Lk 6:31)
    - - e.g. an eye for an eye
    - - = to treat people better than their words/actions deserve
      - be merciful just as the Father is merciful
    - - the teaching are "a compass rather than an ordinance map; it gives direction rather than directions"
        
        these are examples to convay teachings
  - - - i.e. people upon whom God looks with favour
    - - This supports the reversal of the ‘current order’ that Luke wants to show that the KoG brings i.e. when the KoG arrives, “the first shall be last and the last shall be first” (Luke 13:30)
        
        note: this theme is evident in story of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:25) and in the Magnificat(Luke 1:52ff.)
    - - the HUNGRY ---> will be satisfied
      - those who WEEP ---> will laugh
        
        note: could be in terms of 'realising their own sin' as well as just having a difficult time
      - the POOR ---> the KoG belongs to you (richness of KoG)
        
        note: Mt uses 'poor in spirit' (i.e. realised their need for God). Using just 'the poor' is more in line with lukan theme of universalism & the poor. also link to lukan birth narratives in which the poor shepherds visit
      - those who are HATED, EXCLUDED, INSULTED & REJECTED because of their beliefs ---> will rejoice because your reward is great in heaven
        
        note: see in context of time Luke was writing - early Christians being persecuted by Rome. Also picks up on Lukan theme of Jesus' compassion for outcasts & those on margins of society
    - - the WELL FED ---> you will go hungry
      - those who LAUGH ---> will mourn & weep
      - the RICH ---> you have had your 'comfort'
      - those who are SPOKEN WELL OF ---> will be ignored just like the prophets were
  - - - development of Golden rule
      - 'do not judge ands you will not be judged, do not condemn and you will not be condemned, forgive and you will be forgiven'
    - - 'give and it will be given to you. a good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. for with the measure you use, it will be measured to you'
      - parable about judgement - Lk 6:39 - "can the blind lead the blind? will they not both fall into a pit/"
        
        you have to help people see where they are going , in terms of their ethical behaviour
    - - Lk 6:41 - "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?"
- - - - How difficult it is for the wealthy to enter the KoG (Christian reference - camel & eye of needle teaching)
      - How stubborn the Jewish religious leaders are in refusing to listen to Jesus’ message of good news
      - The need to embrace the values of the KoG & treat people well NOW (KoG required immediate actions)
      - the concept of the ethical use of wealth (wealth in itself istn’t bad, it depends on how you use it)
- - - - fits with Lukan theme of UNIVERSALISM
      - Powerful message of equality
  - - - you must respond to the teaching
- - - - emphasis is on the idea that followers of Jesus should treat others as they would wish God to treat them (a development of the Golden Rule)