Dawn of the New Age

Dawn of a New Age

February 8, 2023

In the Bible’s book of Matthew, chapter 19, verses 16 through 26, I just found several new aspects I had not focussed on before. The first is that the discussion occurred before Jesus established God’s New Covenant, or Testament, with Mankind. Before I get into it, Merriam Webster gives a very interesting definition. Not only is a testament a contract or confirmation of an agreement, it is “an act by which a person determines the disposition of his or her property after death.” The New Testament went into effect after Jesus death. This conversation I am referring to occurred before the New went into effect.

That conveniently introduces one aspect of my new insight: Jesus had not yet fulfilled the main purpose of His ministry. The discussion below occurred before His crucifixion where He proclaimed as He died, “It is finished!” So, the conversation is still under the auspices of the Old Testament. The old agreement had not yet been completed. It was not finished.

A person came to Jesus about what good deeds he must do to earn eternal life. Keep in mind that this question was asked while the Jews were still under the regimen of the Law of Moses. The good news of salvation by the grace of God was still down the road a piece.

So, to become perfect under the Law of Moses, this is how a part of the discussion went:

“I’ve obeyed all these commandments,” the young man replied. “What else must I do?”

Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

Jesus answer has two parts. First, in order to act perfectly to earn for oneself eternal life, one needed to sell everything they owned and give all their money to charity, and second, they would need to partner with and follow Jesus.

There are many nice people all across the globe. Most people try to follow some moral and ethical standard. Often they have gotten that standard from religion in particular, but I want to confine this essay to Christian denominations.

If a person considers themselves as nice and that they are living a righteous life, but exclude God the Father and Jesus, that aversion prevents the testament to be completed. The proposed contract remains in abeyance. The person has not earned eternal life.

Remember the old testament had two parts also: One, love the Lord God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength. Two, love one another as you would want yourself to be loved.

I have many critiques about established Christian denominations and other religions in general, because they are almost entirely made up doctrines with only a slight nod to the Bible’s teachings. A lot of editing is done to make Christianity palatable and tasty to congregants. The essential part of the meal set before the church members is sugar coated or left in the kitchen cupboards.

That’s something I believe we should really think about while sitting in the pews. The reason? For instance, why don’t the priests and ministers and reverends teach the Gospel, starting with “You must be born again.”? Jesus did. Why don’t they teach people that it’s impossible to earn eternal life? Peter, Paul, and John did. Why don’t the church leaders emphasize the walk and the internal growth needed in exercising and fulfilling faithfulness?

Jesus might have the same rebuke today as he had for those religious leaders in His era: “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.” Matthew 23:12. Nevertheless…

I think the question we ask ourselves is much like the question in this conversation emphasizing the man’s dilemma… What must we do to obtain eternal life?

Nonetheless, while people may try to be perfect or at the least be nice, pleasant folk, and even pretty successful in doing so… maybe giving money to charities and all… are those efforts being credited to the account investing in one’s future eternal life? The Bible says in God’s new arrangement says, “No.”

The stumbling block apparently is the second aspect I noticed: the call to follow Jesus. Getting “saved” is not a once for all deal. The often thought difficult process of discipleship is a rarely taught aspect.

“The term ‘disciple’ represents the Koine Greek word mathētḗs (μαθητής), which generally means ‘one who engages in learning through instruction from another, a pupil, an apprentice…’” — Wikipedea.com

Now then, aren’t we or haven’t we been like the man in the discussion? This his reaction to discipleship: “But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he had many possessions.” So, here’s the conundrum: We hold on tightly to what possessions we have obtained for ourselves during the course of our lives, and beyond the material, we assess even a higher value on personal liberty. We don’t like the idea of anyone else telling us what we should do. Not to fear, since it’s always a choice no matter how far down this path you walk.

Perhaps we have the same reaction to Jesus as the disciples who were absolutely astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked. Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.”

Their mindset was still wrapped up in the old where works were the be all and end all. Beyond that, their thinking was that material wealth was given by God as a reward for righteousness. Again, not to fear, because Jesus has spiritual wealth for us, but will also provide for our needs, the essentials for living.

In conclusion, Jesus says, “I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness.” John 10:10. We seem to forget about that aspect, that possibility God has for us: “Life in all its fullness.”

Here’s the whole text I have used for this essay, Matthew, chapter 19, verses 16 through 26:

Someone came to Jesus with this question: “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?”

“Why ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. But to answer your question — if you want to receive eternal life, keep the commandments.”

“Which ones?” the man asked.

And Jesus replied: “‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. Honor your father and mother. Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

“I’ve obeyed all these commandments,” the young man replied. “What else must I do?”

Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is very hard for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. I’ll say it again — it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!”

The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked.

Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.”

Explore the possible.