>>1957536

Jesus is the master communicator. He uses aphorisms, hyperbole, irony, metaphors, personification, similes, etc. He grabs you, shakes you violently, roots around in your motives and deepest desires.

For instance, how many handless Christians do you see walking around, yet Jesus said, "If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell." How many Christians are turning their backs on their wives and children, yet Jesus said, "If any one comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters - yes, even his own life - he cannot be my disciple." How many Christians do you see carrying a literal, heavy wooden cross on their backs all day, yet Jesus said, "Anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple."

If you take time to read the four gospels, and let Him teach you how to understand how He communicates, the eyes of your heart will be opened. But it is not enough to read as a bystander. Jesus expects us to read with an active trust in His words: "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and PUTS THEM INTO PRACTICE is like a wise man who built his house on the rock..."

Of all people, I'd expect the autists on this board to not be so narrow in their thinking that they'd try to filter Jesus through the 21st Century interpretive grid. Let Jesus speak for Himself. If you need help understanding Him, then look to the Epistles of Paul, Peter, etc. They are simply theologizing on the life and teachings of Jesus. And for added depth for understanding Jesus, look to the Old Testament because Jesus, Himself, said, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory? And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself."