Entryway

My first thought this morning — well, my first thought after making coffee and taking my pills — was that possibly the Beatitudes (Matthew 4–5) and The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20) were parallel and might even correspond with one another point by point. I really thought I was on to something special.

Not exactly.

As I “wondered as I wandered,” strolling down the well lit path, I soon realized that maybe they were not corresponding, but one was for the Old Testament which was the contract God had made with His Chosen People. However, the Beatitudes were for a new agreement being revealed in the New Testament. Yet, they were not diametrically opposed, but melded together from the outset: Jesus was asked, “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:35–40, New International Version)

That is where life truly begins. A personal relationship.

I think most people have only a little trouble with loving one’s neighbors and believe that is why we are here, or at least, that it is the best way to get along in life. However, there seems to be a huge problem with the part preceding: loving God. Yet, that two-part directive represents the hinges on which the great Door hangs. (You remember that Jesus was born into a family working in the Trades — like Carpenter or Stonemason.)

People have to stand at the Door and open the Door when they hear someone knocking. How else can we enter or exit a home?

So, I concluded both the Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes were both like entryways to the Door of the Old and the New contracts offered to us here on Earth — agreements offered to us to sign onto or to reject wholesale. They are starting lines in each individual’s minds where they have a good chance to see the finish for personal victory. Still, they have to run the race according to the rules set out that give the opportunity to run at their own pace.

The choice, as always, is ours to make.

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me …He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says…”

Finally, I think that people who try to obey the Commandments or have character traits found in the Beatitudes have to take the next step: “Whoever calls on the Name of the Lord will be saved.”

Jesus said, “I am the sheepgate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.” (John 10:9, NIV)