What if Jesus returned not yet for the final Rapture, but just to do a quick, interim inspection of His followers? What would He say about their hearts?
“The Heart’s Permeability” is the second of an imagined series of ten speeches given in the first person by Jesus, focused on the efforts of modern-day Christians. Short excerpts found in the Bible concerning God’s Kingdom are expanded. Additional details are based on expert translations, authoritative Bible commentaries, and historical accounts. Although still closely adhering to the first-century Gospels, these lectures extrapolate into our modern-day, complex world.
If you are comfortable with your present understanding of Jesus or are fully satisfied with the doctrines taught by your particular Christian group, you may find parts of these fictional lectures uncomfortable or even offensive. However, if you have a deep love for the Biblical Jesus, wish to delve deeper into His thinking, and long to move ever closer to God, you may find these fictional lectures both intriguing and thought-provoking.
As with many other fictional depictions of Jesus found in books, music, and movies, “The Jesus Lectures-2” should be “taken with a grain of salt.” Rather than starting from a set of doctrines taught by some particular Christian group, lecture #2 instead focuses entirely on the time-honored, validated texts of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. As such, descriptions and elaborations may differ from officially sanctioned interpretations. Readers are advised to discard what’s not useful for them, while treasuring any new “nuggets” of wisdom.
The author’s intent is not to create controversy, but to deepen our appreciation for Jesus’ transcendent first-century teachings. Rather than advocating a fresh list of rigid Rules, “The Jesus Lectures-2” explains dynamic Principles for fully opening our hearts to the presence of God.
“The Jesus Lectures-2” challenges Christians’ present-day understanding of the following five topics: 1) food; 2) money; 3) divorce and remarriage; 4) prayer and sacrifice; and 5) emptiness. Although conversational and friendly, centered around “folksy” stories and tense confrontations, this first-person lecture moves far beyond accepted traditions and standard sermons.
Welcome to Lecture #2. I, Jesus of Nazareth, am delighted you are here today, listening to my second of ten lectures. Whether you heard or read my first lecture “The Kingdom of God,” this second talk will reveal to you YOUR OWN HEART. Mastering your own heart is critical to entering and remaining within the Kingdom of God. Yes, sometimes life gets tough. But hang in there. I promise I’ll prove I’m on your side!
In my first lecture, I described to you seven deadly conflicts that can poison your heart to God. After removing those seven deadly conflicts from your mind, to remain in the Kingdom of God you must then still allow godliness to permeate your entire life! So, what does this mean? Well, in every aspect of your life, every second that you are conscious, every thought in your head, every action that you take—there must always be God!
Yes, God is all-knowing, all-powerful, and everywhere. But we can choose to ignore this reality if we wish. Just because God is here with us now while you and I interact at this moment, does not mean that we will necessarily recognize or appreciate that fact tomorrow. Just think if all people everywhere saw God with them every moment of their existence, how would that change what they thought, said, and did?
This is what it means to let godliness permeate your entire life: an acute awareness that God is listening to every thought in your heads, hearing every word that comes out of your mouth, and watching every action you attempt. No, He is not there as a vengeful Judge looking to condemn your every loose thought, careless word, or mistaken action. Rather, He is there as a dear friend, our loving Father. He is our most-enthusiastic “cheerleader” urging us onward, helping us to get back up when we inevitably fall.
Also, our Heavenly Father is greatly saddened when we choose to do things which hurt ourselves and others. This causes Him great pain, seeing his children embracing evil. Thus, those that love the Lord would in no way deliberately cause Him to be pained. Rather, they do everything in their power to make Him happy with us his dear children.
But this is tough to do. I’m reminded of a time when I was lecturing a crowd about the FUNCTION OF LAMPS…