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 how they deal with difficult people?
“Dealing with Difficult People” is the third 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.
Or, if you've been turned off by established religions, yet appreciate the positive impact of Jesus' teachings across the centuries, you may find this lecture a fascinating introduction to his mind-blowing Principles. Told in the first-person, his words excite modern-day people as powerfully as they did back in the first century.
As with many other fictional depictions of Jesus found in books, music, and movies, “The Jesus Lectures-3” should be “taken with a grain of salt.” Rather than starting from a set of doctrines taught by some particular Christian group, lecture #3 instead focuses entirely on the time-honored, validated texts of Mathew, 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-3” explains dynamic Principles for each of us becoming the greatest in the Kingdom of God.
“The Jesus Lectures-3” challenges Christians’ present-day understanding of the following five topics: 1) the greatest in the Kingdom of God; 2) helping to encourage little children; 3) a tax-collector and a Pharisee; 4) washing each other’s stinky feet; and 5) eating raw flesh and drinking blood. Although conversational and friendly, centered around “folksy” stories and tense confrontations, this first-person lecture moves far beyond accepted traditions and standard sermons.
It is with great pleasure that I, Jesus of Nazareth, speak to you today! This is my third lecture on my overall topic of MOVING CLOSER TO GOD, today focusing on “Dealing with Difficult People.” How you relate to and deal with other people, particularly difficult people, reveals the PERMEABILITY of your heart.
If you do not have a heart that is fully open to godliness, you will not remain in the Kingdom of God. If you cannot deal appropriately with your fellow humans, how can you do so with God who is so much greater than they? Thus, how you deal with your fellow men and women reveals the true state of your heart toward God...
God puts those puzzling people there for your good. Even the grouchy, mean, irritating people will cause you to grow in godliness. Indeed, often you will learn a lot more from difficult people than from the nice, helpful, agreeable ones! Embrace the pain of this life for TEACHING you the most important lessons…
That’s true Godly Humility. And it’s the only way we can fully transform our inward hearts: by letting in the difficult people around us! Only then do you have a chance of becoming the GREATEST IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD. Let me give you an Example from my ministry in the first century. We were traveling along a road toward the town of Capernaum...