There are many themes in Jesus’ teachings, but the most prominent theme and perhaps the core of his teachings is forgiveness. He says, “…Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also…Do to others as you would have them do to you...Forgive, and you will be forgiven…for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.” (Luke 6: 27-38) This passage from the Gospel of Luke shows the forgiveness that is at the heart of Jesus’ teachings.
Jesus taught that forgiveness is important in this current life, for it will allow us to be rewarded in heaven by God. Sometimes, however, people mistake this concept of forgiveness as an easy way into heaven, rather than a way to better the world around us and become closer to God. Some assume that if they don’t hit someone back when they are hit, they will be favored in the eyes of God. But I don’t think that this is what Jesus meant. From this passage it seems that Jesus taught people to forgive and “do to others as you would have them do to you” with good, pure, true intentions. He teaches that God will reward only those who truly forgive and “turn the other cheek” because God knows what we are really thinking and is, essentially, a part of us (the Kingdom of God is inside of everyone). This passage further reveals the core of Jesus’ teachings, for he says to “pray for those who abuse you.” By this he means to forgive and pray for those who mistreat us because they will not be rewarded by God and have not accepted what Jesus thought was God’s way.
2 comments:
Good point, I agree that Jesus was big on the forgiveness. One question: how does forgiveness as a central theme of Christianity fit in with some of Jesus' other teachings of carrying swords, etc?
good question! I'm not exactly sure. But I do think that when reading/learning about Jesus' teachings, we should take everything with a grain of salt. With all the teaching he did and speeches that he made, he was bound to contradict himself somewhere. But on a more substantial note, (I don't remember his exact words)perhaps his use of "swords" isn't literal. Maybe he means that sometimes we need to be a little harsher on some people than on others when it comes to accepting God. Maybe some people need a more forceful hand to guide them toward the "proper way". What do you think?
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