When my oldest was very young, he had one question. All the time. Every day. Hundreds of times per day. Why? (That was the question.) i would say anything and he would ask, why? Time to get your shoes on. Why?Dad will be home soon. Why? Let’s clean up. Why? Time for bed. Why?
His life was a fact finding mission. He was and is curious about so much. I don’t remember when he stopped asking so often.
Recently I went on a reading retreat where we read the Bible together all weekend. I was lovely to slow down and read. This time we read our way through Matthew, I marked all the questions the Lord Jesus asked. It begins in Matthew 5, Sermon on the Mount.
““You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt should lose its taste, how can it be made salty? It’s no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled on by men.”
Matthew 5:13 HCSB
https://bible.com/bible/72/mat.5.13.HCSB
Salt is a preservative. Definitely used during this time to preserve meats, etc. I don’t think that’s what Jesus was asking. He is talking about taste. Salt brings flavor to the surface. Salt enhances foods. So, we, being born of God, live our lives to call to attention the love of Jesus. The ways of Jesus. It is shown through our words, but more importantly our actions.
“For if you love those who love you, what reward will you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing out of the ordinary? Don’t even the Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Matthew 5:46-48 HCSB
https://bible.com/bible/72/mat.5.46-48.HCSB
Further down in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tasks us with loving those who frustrate and disagree with us. It is easy for me to love my people. To love those who love me well. It’s safe. It’s comforting. Jesus is asking us to step out and love those around us. Pray for them. Serve them. Let’s look at the word perfect:
teleios: (b) “complete,” conveying the idea of goodness without necessary reference to maturity or what is expressed under (a), Mat 5:48; 19:21; Jam 1:4 (2nd part); 3:2. It is used thus of God in Mat 5:48;
I read perfect and think, God is asking me to be perfect. Right now. Simply not the case. God is asking us to practice. To be maturing and growing. God is perfect. We are following in his steps.
Today, as I think of these questions Jesus asks, I am reminded to love as Jesus loves. I am reminded to walk towards the truth, be a blessing. Be a sweet aroma.
Blessings to you.
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