Estimated reading time is about 20 minutes

We ask you to take a moment out of the hustle and bustle, and reflect and grow with these paragraphs about Jesus’ Love, message, and ransom. Our hope is to recenter you with His Truth, and expand your love for existence, yourself, and others.

Agápē (Ancient Greek: ἀγάπη) (/ɑːˈɡɑːpeɪ/ or /AH-guh-pay/) refers to the highest form of love, characterized as unconditional, sacrificial, and volitional rather than merely emotional.

Jesus was Agápē in motion, an embodiment in the flesh, of the Love of God for all of God’s creations.

There are various denominations of Christianity these days, but all are still Christian. The suffix -ianus, which shortened looks like -ian means “follower of”, follower of Christ. Different denominations have different practices and things such as afterlives and purgatories, but they are all Followers of Christ. In this writing we will try to stick to the word and message of Jesus, and will use some examples from the Old Testament to correlate the thoughts.

The point of such a writing is the shocking concerns of individuals harming, or celebrating the harm of others, under the guise of Christianity. It’s been over 2,000 years and it seems people forgot the message that the Son of God was trying to teach. Many people have delivered similar messages over the ages in various cultures, but for the sake of this writing we will stick to the Bible itself, to contradict the hypocrisy of some modern day followers of Christ.

It seems safe to assume that people who are Christian know WHO Jesus was, the Son of God. They likely know that he died for our sins on a cross and was resurrected 3 days later. This does lead me to wonder however, the amount of people who feel they can live a life full of sin, and then ask for forgiveness and feel absolved of their wrongdoings? Is this one of the main barriers standing between people living Christ-like and living a hedonistic sinful one? 

Though born of a miracle, Jesus did not have the easiest life growing up. When he was a young boy, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph had to flee to Egypt to avoid the killing of all male children by order of King Herod [Matthew 2:13-15]. This technically marks him as a refugee, seeking asylum, and one could say he was an immigrant. He was born in Bethlehem, which is located in modern day Palestine; his location of birth is mentioned here because oftentimes his features seem forgotten. He had “bronze skin” and “hair like wool” [Revelation 1:14-15], meaning he likely didn’t have blonde hair, or blue eyes, or a pointy small nose, as many people like to portray him. It made his appearance more digestible to Europeans as Christianity spread through the continent during the Middle Ages.

This deception leads me to another point of Christ that he said later.. “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” [John 8:32] as Jesus was a believer of “The Truth” and never tried to deceive people to gain followers, and valued the truth overall. He valued truth so much that he died for it, and still continued to talk “The Truth.”

“Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor.” [Ephesians 4:25]

As a refugee, Jesus also opened his heart to people of different cultures, borders, or tribes. One example is “Good Samaritan” [Luke 10:25–37] as the people of Samaria were both different religiously, and ethnically. Jesus would use these people as an example for neighborly love, or “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” [Matthew 22:39]. Ways that one could go about loving the neighbor as they love themselves, can be shown in ”Welcoming the stranger” [Matthew 25:35] where he goes to talk about treating others, the vulnerable, as acts of devotion to the Lord. He talks of offering drinks to the thirsty, food to the hungry, cloth for the naked, aid for the sick, for all walks of life regardless of being an immigrant or not, for this is devotion to God.For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.. 

The full quote for loving thy neighbor goes as such 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.’” [Matthew 22:37-39] This is second to loving God, that’s huge! How could we forget to love our neighbor as our own selves? It seems there has been a disconnect between people in different walks of life, vilifying them so they are no longer seen as humans, as our neighbor. People use words like “thugs” or “illegal” or “criminal” to describe people they haven’t even met, and they forget that these people too are made in the Image of God. 

This mindset also comes with clinging to tribes, borders, countries, states, cities, sports teams, political parties, etc. These often start off as micro-transactions of us vs them, but this keeps solidifying the idea with enough hammering of the same nail. These individual identities make people feel closer to those who identify as the same tribe, and see others as potential competition, before it might have been for food or water, or nowadays potentially jobs.

“Woe to you… you shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.” [Matthew 23:13] 

Maybe people these days see others doing things they do not approve of. Maybe they don’t like the way someone dresses, or talks. Maybe they don’t like the color of their hair, or the way they wear it. Maybe they don’t like the car they drive, or the fact that they don’t drive a car. All these “don’t likes” are just judgements cast upon other people. These judgements, not only show that the individual holding them possesses some insecurities of their own, but also feels the need to have others act in accordance with how they believe they should live. This judgemental person, who are they to tell someone how to live their lives? Who are they to feel they are mightier, and more worthy than another of God’s love? “Judge not, that you be not judged” [Matthew 7:1] 

“There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?” [James 4:12]

In the same tribalistic mindset, if we must really cling to these boundaries as who we are, we must still love the “them” in the “us vs them.” This concept seems harder, for loving your neighbor, when they might be considered “enemies” but that is God’s way. “But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.” [Luke 6:35 ] 

Maybe one struggles because they see someone as their enemy, and they judge that person for the wrongs that person has done or caused. Well here’s a quote that can help with that mindset. “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? … You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” [Matthew 7:3-5] The dust in the eye is an old metaphor for deception, confusion, ignorance, causing an error in the way one sees something. This quote seems to say you seem to look at the wrongdoings of another, yet can’t seem to realize there’s a large piece of wood obstructing your own perspective. It goes further to declare you a hypocrite for trying to judge that person, and if you could remove your own deception you would understand the proper way to help clear another’s.

“Leave them; they are blind guides. If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.” [Matthew 15:14]

These days there seems to be a lot of strict obedience to administration, regardless of the outcome to living beings. What traits define someone not being worthy of human rights? Their actions, their voting history, the color of their skin, their religion? Our first Old Testament reference is So God created mankind in his own image [Genesis 1:27] Does this not mean all mankind is not equal in God’s image? Who is anyone to determine otherwise other than God themselves? If unspeakable things were happening to one’s direct family, tribe, etc, would they rejoice in the suffering of others? If their own loved ones disappeared without contact, would people laugh and tell their family they were asking for it or would they get upset and try to do something?

The first step was to create an “us vs them”, and label the “them” as all violent individuals, so that way when bad things happen to “them” the “us” feels like it was justified. We go to our second Old Testament quote with “Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles, lest the Lord see it and be displeased, and turn away his anger from him” [Proverbs 24:17-18] Even if it was justified, even if the person was a murderer, one should not rejoice when their enemy falls. It is one thing to rejoice in your own safety, but to celebrate the suffering of another is not the way.

There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. [Galatians 3:28]

People these days believe in Punitive Justice, to punish the “criminals” and “illegals” , while ignoring second chances that Jesus advocated. Sometimes the individual’s mindsets spirals into “I should have MERCY, but YOU should have LAW!” But Jesus called for mercy for all, for forgiveness for all. When Peter asked how many times to forgive, Jesus replied, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times,” showing unlimited mercy [Matthew 18:22] 

Back to people blindly obeying administration. People have their thoughts validated that people are not human enough, and deserve bad things, and when they suffer, people celebrate. This seems by design, to have people turn on their own neighbors, their own brothers, without even realizing what they are doing.

When people were hurt and suffering, be they blood, or enemies, Jesus advocated for mercy and compassion to them. Jesus challenged the Pharisees and the Roman Empire for their laws that lacked mercy for humans and harmed others. Jesus was always guided by love, and not for the written word of law. If you’re not familiar, the Pharisees were the most religious, and law-abiding, respected individuals in society. “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices… but you neglect the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter without neglecting the former.” [Matthew 23:23] Hypocrites once again. Jesus also reiterates that the word of God is beyond the written word of man “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.” [Matthew 15:8-9] 

The Pharisees attacked one of Jesus’ disciples for breaking the Sabbath, for taking a grain for consumption. Jesus declares these are strict man-made rules that were in violation of the true spirit of what the law was about, and again Jesus offered grace and compassion. “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” [Mark 2:27]

In [John 4] Jesus talks with a Samaritan Woman. At the time, Jews were not supposed to talk to Samaritans, and she was a woman, of a different ethnicity, and a different religion, and yet he sat down and talked with her. This story shows us  that God offers his salvation, purpose, and love to everyone, regardless of past, social standing, gender, or religion. In this story Jesus sees beyond her sin, and offers the woman hope, and transforms her into a missionary after offering her “living water.”

Jesus also spoke out when a woman was to be stoned to death for adultery, as was the law. He said “Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.” [John 8:7] Are we the ones who live without sin? Thus, as sinners, it should not be us who cast punishment onto another. Jesus always went for mercy, compassion, and forgiveness.

Maybe people still believe in an Eye for an Eye, but Jesus taught of another way. A way lacking in retaliation, but instead offering grace, generosity, and mercy. “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. [Matthew 5:38-42] Again, Jesus always goes for mercy, compassion, and forgiveness.

How can a person be so merciful? So compassionate? So forgiving? There is a type of love known as Agápē Love. “Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love” [John 4:8] This states that God does not “love” something, he “IS love”. This Agápē love is what everything flows from, God’s love of all he has created. Jesus is said to be the embodiment of Agápē Love in human form. “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.” [John 3:16] He showed us his love by giving his life. How much more mercy, compassion, and forgiving can a person possess, to give their own life for the cause they believe in so much? Should we all strive to stand behind what we believe in so much we would give our own lives for it. May we feel this Agápē Love at every moment of the day, to feel the grace of God for all they have created for us and them to enjoy and appreciate. When one lives their lives with their hearts full of Agápē Love, one does not rejoice at the suffering of others.

It also seems common these days to treat the poor, well, poorly. People lack compassion and empathy for those who are less fortunate than them. People won’t even give eye contact to homeless individuals, and rarely see people donating  time and money to the less fortunate. Money certainly has a strong ability to corrupt individuals. For this reason, Jesus intentionally led a life of poverty. He advised his followers to sell their possessions, and to give to the poor. He mentioned various times that “it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” [Matthew 19:24, Mark 10:25, Luke 18:25 &&] Though something is more difficult, he did not state it was impossible. It is possible to live a moral life with money, where one lives virtuously and compassionately towards others, donates their money and time to help others, and helps out all mankind the best they can.

“Blessed are you who are poor… Woe to you who are rich…” [Luke 6:20-26]

Jesus turned down a position of power, and refused to lead the revolution against Rome. He instead taught service and humility were virtuous, as opposed to holding positions in high offices. Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” [Matthew 20:25-28] Jesus was a teacher and believer of the “Upside Down Kingdom”, where instead of wealth, power, and recognition, God’s kingdom values the marginalized, the broken, and the humble. True strength is found in Christ’s sacrificial love, forgiveness, and resurrection, not worldly might or control. True greatness comes from serving others, not lording power over others. Jesus led by example: serving and sacrificing.

People today crave power, positions in jobs, or government, and cling to material possessions to show wealth, including plastic surgery to show status. People also believe in Prosperity Gospel, which is a belief that God blesses people physically and financially, leading to more cycles of consumerism and feeling blessed for their own fortunes, and that others must not have as much  God in their lives if they are poor and suffering.

“Everything they do is done for people to see… they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces.” [Matthew 23:5-7]

These are not the people Jesus would speak highly of, and yet those are the people that humans are trying so hard to be these days. Not a righteous, virtuous person, but a power hungry individual who wants to impose their way upon others.

 “Do not love the world or anything in the world… For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.” [John 2:15-17]

There is a belief in Dominion Theology, which is Christian’s should control government, media, education, etc, to force beliefs and force a “biblical society.” To contrast that belief, “Jesus said, ‘My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.’” [John 18:36] 

People seem to want to believe the rich and powerful should control everything, and would make the best decisions for all of society, and the middle-class and the poor should just do as the elite tell them to do. This contradicts “My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism… But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.” [James 2:1, 9]

It seems people fail to understand the word, message, and passion of Jesus Christ. “Jesus called them together and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.’” [Matthew 20:25-26] Service over domination is how leadership in God’s kingdom is defined. Jesus gave his life as a ransom for many, instead of being served. One should use their influence and authority to benefit others, not for personal power or control.

Though it seems Jesus questioned some old laws like Eye for and Eye, there are others that seem best left untouched.[Psalm 82:3-4] goes off to say “Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” The previous quote seems to resonate with children being locked up in detention centers, with no mothers and fathers around them, due to being labeled as illegal, or children of criminals, or thugs. Maybe implying the detention centers are the hand of the wicked is too extreme for some, but the children who are weak, hungry, and fatherless could certainly use some rescue.

“Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him.” [Proverbs 14:31]

People in the United States like to live by an impossible idiom, “Pull yourself up by your bootstraps” which evolved into a metaphor of self-reliance, though it is still a task that is literally impossible and thus is a joke in itself.  “Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people…” [Isaiah 10:1-2] It seems people with power like to keep those with power around, and keep the poor where they are. Cronyism exists to this day and still causes problems when people fill roles due to saying “yes” or favoritism. We can look back to the previously quoted [James 2:1, 9] on favoritism and why it was spoken out against. Politics is also littered with bribes, and donors, that sway the way politicians lobby, vote, and speak. [Deuteronomy 16:19] states “Do not pervert justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the innocent.” Decisions should be based on truth and righteousness, not based upon personal bias or subjective. Bribery and yielding judgement to the powerful are also forbidden. These things corrupt justice, blind the wise, and distort truth.

Jesus taught “The first shall be last” [Matthew 20:16 and Mark 10:31] where service to others, and humility have higher value than self-righteousness and wealth.

As for the earlier inquiry about people asking for forgiveness for their sins as a potential barrier between acting in the name of Jesus, this following quote seems to fall in alignment with it’s not simply just about asking or repenting, but also living Christ-like.  “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” [Matthew 7:21]

To reinstate some of these often forgotten or misconceived beliefs about who Jesus was, for the Christians, or Followers of Christ, should know who they follow, and what they were about. Jesus was a dark skinned, Middle-Eastern man who was a refugee as a child, and had to flee to Egypt in fear of his own life. He was a man who advised others not to be attached to their material possessions, and instead try to love God with all of their heart. Jesus was the embodiment of God’s Love, or Agápē, and sacrificed his life for speaking the truth. Jesus lived his life intentionally without possessions as they are distractions from God, and valued service and devotion overall. Jesus was one of infinite compassion, and told people to forgive as many  times as needed. Jesus told us that we cannot judge others, and that in the end, only God can be the judge of a person’s character; it is up to us as humans, made in God’s image, to love one another with as much love as God has for all of us, Agápē. We must always show mercy, and compassion for the sick, the hungry, the unclothed. We must hear another human screaming, and feel pain and want to help those in need, regardless of tribe, religion, or ethnicity; even if they have personally wronged you many times, we must find it in our hearts to forgive them, for it is not our place to judge them. Jesus taught us we must serve people, and do things with people as the best interest, not wealth, fame, or power. We must QUESTION authority when the laws put in place lead for the PAIN and SUFFERING of fellow human beings, all equally made in God’s image. If authority tells us to laugh at those in pain, we must resist temptation and act virtuously in the name of God. We mustn’t seek revenge for being wronged, but meet them with compassion, always. 

Do you identify as a Christian, or an “X-tian”? People got upset about X-Mas and taking the Christ out of Christmas, let’s not take the Christ out of Christianity. If we are to be a follower of Christ, then let’s act the way Jesus would have wanted. Maybe we should bring back the WWJD armbands?