I have been doing some thinking over the last year on the actual words that Jesus said.
I think, because I have been in church most of my life and listened to a lot of teaching ABOUT the words of Jesus, I have a library of phrases in my mind that are connected with those words. So when I start to read a familiar passage, mentally I go straight to the interpretation that I have been taught instead of taking in what Jesus actually said.
So, I am trying to slow down - slow down and force myself to meditate on what His actual words were. And then I am asking myself if I have been living like I believe them.
Of course, Jesus did not intend for every single word He uttered to be taken literally. But often, I think we have been too quick to generate a what-He-was-really-trying-to-say version of His words, instead of letting Jesus speak for Himself. And often, we do that because His words are calling us to a radical way of life, and that makes us fearful.
In the end, however, we have to come to the place of knowing that anything Jesus said was said in love and for our benefit. We can and must trust Him. And if we really believe Him, really take Him at His word, then we will do the things He said.
