Did Jesus Really Say Give Away EVERYTHING?

Did Jesus really say give all you have to the poor?

Yes, he did. Or, maybe.

In fact he said to sell up the lot and give away! Sounds impossible? But -  look very carefully!

Jesus - The Christ Recognised! Who? How? When? What? (3Ed)

Jesus recognised as The Christ? Who? How? When? What?

How do you learn new stuff? Various senses may be involved, for example, touch ("Ow, that is really hot!").

I have posted previously on Jesus being The Christ (ie, The Messiah). I have included information from disciples who show differing levels of understanding and conviction. But, how did it come about in the first place that they had become disciples of Jesus as being The Christ?

Jesus - the Prophet - the Messiah - The King!!

From very early Jesus was seen as king. Jesus claimed a kingdom, not of this world.  He is king of his kingdom. He has and welcomes servants (followers) but his retinue is unique.  "The Kingdom of God/Heaven" was a major topic for Jesus. At the time many wrong (human) ideas about God's kingdom were prevalent. Jesus rejected use of force or compulsion.

Did Jesus R e a l l y Say Buy MACHETES? (Edn 2)

Yep; he sure did.

(Actually not that M word.*) And not only that...

Jesus referred more than once to the sword. Edged blades as weapons were commonplace in the era of Jesus. The sword was a vital part of the soldier's equipment.

I don't think the disciples did buy machetes!

A striking earlier moment is connected with Jesus sending out his disciples to represent him in the land. He told them that they were to go "softly" and accept what they were given. If they were rejected, then they were rejected, and were to move on. His message was not universally welcome nor was Jesus universally loved.

Did Jesus Really Get ANGRY?

A Day of Anger - Jesus' anger and their fury.

Truly sad to say, one Sabbath day people were so very angry when Jesus healed a man.

Did Jesus Really NOT CARE for Her? (or, Martha's Mistakes)

Did Jesus actively care for Martha?

Martha, a kind, hard-working, and dutiful lady had to learn about what is better and to recognise, after all, that Jesus was truly caring for her. Luke gives us a brief compressed pericope, with two unusual words, and it comes with even some alternative (puzzling) clauses.

Copyrights, The ©

Scripture quotations are extensive in this blog. This is intentional, because

Like Jesus' Glorious Body (Revised 2)

This phrase comes from Paul, the Apostle of Jesus. 

Here it is with some more context. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself (Philippians 3:20-21 ESV).

Voter help - Perhaps ! AFTERWORD (4)

An election enquiry is current (03/09/25) and wants to hear from you:

https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/Electoral_Matters/2025federalelection

The voters have made their choice and the election is over (apart from the little detail of the scrutiny = the count of every ballot paper). There will be many envelopes to receive and open - it will take a few days.

I went to a busy polling place on the Saturday and saw the crowd and the congested footpath. I also saw the strength of our democratic process. (That word, "democracy", is originally about the "ordinary" people having power.)

Changing Reactions on the Day Jesus Rose! (Edited)

A day is a long time - in already frightened people experiencing a resurrected Saviour!
The first mentioned reaction on the day Jesus rose* from the dead was on the part of tomb guards.

Risen from the Dead - Jesus!

 Such incredible news at the time. Is it now less so?

Jesus' (borrowed) tomb held only wrappings and spices..

Jesus' Last Words - which were not Final!

Jesus’ final utterances (but which were not final!)

Garden Arrest; Coins Earned: Jesus Betrayed (Edn 2)

 The final few minutes of Jesus' freedom were spent in a garden. It may have been hereabouts.

The location was known as Gethsemane.

Jesus and That Coin (edited 4)

Give Caesar's to Caesar, and God's to God. 

Jesus wanted a denarius. Why? But, knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, “Why put me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me look at it” (Mark 12:15 ESV).

Wine, Skin, and Bread

 Did you ever see a water bag of canvas, or hessian?

The canvas water bag was not a skin but it could hold water, and even cool it. There was some loss, with water moving through the fabric. However, it was durable and effective.

Consider these words of Jesus: No one pours new wine into old wineskins. The wine would swell and burst the old skins.[b] Then the wine would be lost, and the skins would be ruined. New wine must be put into new wineskins. Both the skins and the wine will then be safe (Matthew 9:16-17 CEV).

An old/new controversy re "marriage equality" (edited)

I saw a recent "The Other Cheek" report on this - now old news!

Here is a lengthy exract:

Opportunity lost - Opportunity taken (Men Healed)

Could Jesus really give to different men exactly opposite directions to follow?

Do you see here that men grateful to Jesus had opportunity to do exactly as Jesus said...