Jesus said what? (Part 3)

This is the final week of looking at statements Jesus made. This week we'll actually look at four statements he made that seem a little 'backwards' at first glance.

(Move your mouse over each link to read the verses)
-Luke 14:11
-Matthew 20:16
-Mark 10:43-44
-Matthew 5:44

When first reading these statements it may appear that Jesus is being very illogical. It may seem that he's lost it, that 'the hamster has fallen off the wheel' as some might say. But the fact remains, Jesus spoke these statements. So what do we do with them? Was Jesus being serious when he said these things?

An important thing to do when reading the Bible is to make sure you aren't pulling verses out of context as you read. These 4 verses all take place within a story and/or situation that provides us background on what is going on. In order to understand what Jesus is talking about, we must read the whole story.

I won't type all the links and verses out here, but I will give you the key verses in each section that reveal the perspective of Jesus as he's talking.

-Luke 14:11 (key verse is Luke 14:15)
-Matthew 20:16 (key verse is Matthew 20:1)
-Mark 10:43-44 (key verse is Mark 10:37)
-Matthew 5:44 (key verse is Matthew 5:19)

Once you've done that you realize that in every situation that these statements are made Jesus is talking about heaven (also worded as the Kingdom of God or the Kingdom of Heaven). When Jesus makes these remarks he's not looking at things through an earthly perspective. His perspective is on heaven.

When we change our perspective to heaven as well, these statements begin to make logical sense. If I'm living for heaven it is logical to place others before myself. If I'm living for heaven it is logical to love those who've hurt me (Jesus loves me even though I've hurt him). If I'm living for heaven is it logical to humble myself.

We ended the night with a challenge to truly put others first (or serve them or love them or honor them) in our lives. The highest way to do this is to help them understand the love God has for them. It's great to offer food, money, and time as we serve (and those things are all good!), but the best thing we can offer is God's love. Will you look at things through the perspective of heaven this week and live a 'backwards' lifestyle?