Following Whom?

Gospel: Matthew 5: 12-17

Christians will claim to be followers of Jesus, but how often are other figures referenced when seeking to justify behavior and decisions one has made that are directly opposed to the words and deeds of Jesus? When genocide needs to be justified or ignored, Joshua is invoked.  When serial marriages need justification, Solomon and David provide the warrant.  When horrid leaders are followed, Cyrus then becomes the model.  And when we seek to exclude others from care and concern, tribalism is the fallback position.

Jesus was asked to destroy an entire town by his disciples; he did not do so.  When the disciples wanted to take up the sword he commanded them to put it away. Jesus' words on marriage are rather clear.  Jesus did not bow the knee to Pilate or Herod, but instead died at their hands. And every time the disciples wanted to exclude someone from being healed, liberated, or fed at table, Jesus ignored them and cared for everyone.  Not a single instance exists where Jesus refused to care for someone in need.  

Not all scripture is of equal weight.  In the Jewish tradition the Torah is of highest weight; the remainder of the scriptures are commentary on it.  For Christians the Gospels are of highest rank, which is why in liturgical traditions the congregation stands for its proclamation, it is kept in a book by itself, and they are adorned with candles like the tabernacle itself.  Today we reflect on whom it is we actually follow, and if it be the Lord Jesus we seek each day to follow him alone.