In The Last Temptation of Christ, Jesus encounters Paul. He hears Paul talk about the Christ, saying that Jesus said things he never said, preaching hate and bigotry and violence. Jesus approaches him, saying, “Jesus never said those things, he preached love and compassion.” Paul looks him up and down, finally saying, “I like my Jesus better.”
Recent news has reminded me of that little passage. And made me think of these passages…
(Mark, Chapter 5, Verses 38-47)
Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.
And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust
For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? Do not even the publicans the same?
And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? Do not even the publicans so?
Matthew, Chapter 10, Verses 14-15)
And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.
Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.
(Matthew, Chapter 13, Verses 41 – 42)
The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;
And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
(John, Chapter 3, Verse 36)
He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
(Luke, Chapter 12, Verse 5)
But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.
(Luke, Chapter 3, Verses 8 – 9)
Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
* * *
One Jesus forgives, no matter what.
The other Jesus is a hateful bigot who holds grudges and sends anyone who won’t listen to him to Everlasting Burning Suffering.
You can follow one example but not the other.
Choose wisely.