Speak Compassion

I was completely inspired after reading this article about Pastor Ed Dobson, who after reading about a secular Jew who decided to live for one year as close to the bible as possible, decided he too would live for one year biblically . The article states that he, “he did not shave, ate kosher, observed the Sabbath and read through the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John every week” and made every decision based on what he thought Jesus would do.  I was not at all surprised by his choices because they match and connect with my vision of the teachings of Jesus Christ.

I particularly felt inspired by his thoughts about forgiveness and loving one’s enemy as these are the basic principles of nonviolence. Gandhi and his movement of nonviolence was admittedly inspired by Christ’s Sermon on the Mount of Olives.   Dobson states, “My youngest son did two tours in Iraq, and on the last tour, a friend of his was killed in action and my wife and I went for the visitation and I was overwhelmed with grief and also with anger for the people who had made the roadside bomb, planted it and detonated it,” he said. “And then I finally realized I had to pray for them and bless them, which is very, very hard to do.”

He also voted for Obama stating that he was the one who best represented the teachings of Christ.   I agree with that.   I plan on learning more about this Pastor and what else he learned.  I think it is notable that if this pastor found this difficult to do for just a year, imagine living your life like Christ.  To treat each and every person you met as if they are Jesus Christ would be a tough task.  Jesus stated that “what you do to the least of my brothers, you do unto me.”  That would mean each time you call someone a liar, a cheat, or fail to embrace them as your brother, it is if you are doing that to Christ.   It has been my experience that I see more casual believers meeting that challenge than I do the Pastors and preachers or those who run so called “ministries.”

I have to say that I have met few Christians in my life who really match up to my understanding of the teachings of Christ.   I have met many people who call themselves Christian whose treatment of others doesn’t match up with what I call, “loving your neighbor” or “turn and offer the other cheek.”   Those Christians I have met who have matched up to my understanding have inspired me greatly (and some woodworking Christians know who I am talking about, yes you Shuddy.)