Week 2 : Sexual immorality : A vice to avoid

Read: John 11:1-44

There has been a lot of speculation about the sexuality of Jesus. Two rumours persist. According to one theory, Jesus was gay. A second hypothesis suggests Jesus and Mary Magdalene were companions. There is a tiny bit of evidence in the Bible to indicate either scenario might be true - the rest is left up to the imagination. How can you sort fact from fiction?

Homosexuality is suspected because the Bible reveals the love of Jesus had for a friend, Lazarus. When this man became ill his two sisters, Mary and Martha, sent for Jesus. They referred to their brother as "the one you love" (John 11:3). Jesus did not go to them in the village of Bethany, near Jerusalem, until he was certain Lazarus had died. Once there, his reaction at seeing the grief of Mary and the other Jews was natural. "Jesus wept" (John 11:35). His weeping for Lazarus was seen to be an indication of "how he loved him! (John 11:36). This love was so strong Jesus chose to raise his friend from the dead.

Is this story to be taken literally? Did Jesus just help a friend? Or did he resurrect his lover? That is to say, figuratively, is the way Lazarus came out the tomb similar to the way the gay men of today leave the crypt of heterosexuality? To me, the former seems more likely than the latter.

The truth of this can be seen the eroticism contained within the story of the resurrection of Lazarus. His sister, Mary, is said to be "the one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair" (John 11:2). In contrast, Jesus did not take off grave clothes Lazarus was wearing, but asked other onlookers to do this. So the only physical contact mentioned is a male-female encounter.

Still, Mary did this, and there is a possibility that Mary of Bethany and Mary Magdalene was the same person. Luke referred to a "Mary (called Magdalene)" (Luke 8:2) and then said Martha "had a sister called Mary" (Luke 10:39). And after writing about Mary of Bethany, John refers to Mary Magdalene, noting she was both at the crucifixion of Jesus and the first witness to his resurrection. In other words, she acted like a good wife. However, there is nothing to suggest that Jesus was her husband, and little to suggest she was immoral. Certainly, the rumour that she was a prostitute seems to have no bearing. Also, apart from a brief description of the visit to Bethany, there is no evidence in the Bible to suggest Mary and Jesus lived in a de facto relationship.

Therefore, if you want to be like Jesus, then you must not participate in a homosexual or de facto relationship. After all, he was not gay, so anyone who want to be like him cannot be gay. Similarly, he did not have a de facto spouse, so you will not be like him if you have a de facto spouse.

Prayer: Jesus. Sexual immorality is such a challenge today. Help those who are sexually immoral. Help them to change so they can be like you. Amen.

Week 1 : Love : A virtue to adopt

Read: Luke 10:25-37

Of the traits this blog will discuss, love is primary. To be like Jesus, as all who believe in him must, you need to show love, just as he did. After all, love shaped the character of Jesus more than anything else. And love is a virtue all Christians need to display so the true nature of Jesus can be revealed in them.

Of course, some confuse love with sex, which is often called euphemistically "making love". The concept of sex that Jesus had will be the subject of my next post. Here the discussion will be limited to analysis of the love of God.

This love is, was, and always will be central to the ministry of Jesus. Most of all, he wanted to be loved, loved by all. Notably, he wanted the Jews to love him as much as they loved God the Father, who sent him. Also, he longed for his inner circle of disciples to love him, although he was unsure about whether or not they did.

In order to be certain that these men did actually love him, he set a test. Those who followed him had to demonstrate the love they had for him by obeying his commands. While these were diverse, demonstrating love was paramount. Uppermost is the need to love God with your total being - heart, mind and soul.

And it is equally important to love everyone in your neighbourhood. This seems to be even more of a challenge today than in the past, given how multicultural society is now. Your neighbour might very well have a different ethnic background to you. Regardless, you still need to love them.

One way to do this is by helping to meet the needs of these people. Two simple methods are praying for ministries that serve these people and donating money to worthy causes. Some will even go further and unconditionally offer them water or food or whatever else they need.

Oddly enough, this is exactly what Jesus did. He turned water into wine, loaves and fishes into meals for thousands, met the multiple needs of the lost and the lonely. In fact, the full extent of his love was demonstrated by the fact that he agreed, willingly, to allow himself to be crucified.

This crucifixion was the ultimate act of love - the Bible says Jesus laid down his life so that others might live once they died, might receive eternal life, and might go to reside with him in Heaven forever and ever. His sacrifice meant Christians - who are called by his name - will be saved from endless death and decay and darkness.

Such love. Such love. What other response can there be than to love him as he loved us? And if this love is genuine, can others not be loved in his name? How can you show love this week? I invite you to think about this and then add your comments so this discussion can continue.

Prayer: Jesus. Help me to show love. Help me to love you with my total being - heart, mind and soul. Help me to love my neighbours. Amen.