John 14:1-7
Jesus Comforts His Disciples
1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”
5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”
Matthew 5:43-48
Love Thy Enemies
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
G. K. Chesterton said that, Christianity has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and not tried...
As one reads through the gospels, one finds the most beautiful of words and teachings in it as we read the through the four books...I have my own favorite stories and teachings of Jesus, but all of His words and teachings are the greatest words ever spoken...
Then at the same time, the most beautiful of words are interwoven with some of the most difficult of words and teachings...The good news is interlaced with some of the most difficult of teachings...For example, when Jesus comforts His Disciples says we read some of the most beautiful and great words and then He adds to His great oration by telling them that He is the Truth, the Way, and the Life...But in His teachings at an earlier time He tells us to love our enemies...And then He tells us to be perfect, like His Father is...These are most difficult things to do...Somethings are very hard to do...
The most beautiful of words come together with some of the hardest and toughest of teachings there is...I agree with Chesterton, in that the difficulty of Jesus’ teachings are hard and many do not try or test these teachings...This is particularly true of the one's that aren't our favorite of the verses or teachings...