Core Message

Biblical scholar Rachel Havrelock states in an interview: “The core of Jesus' message was directed to the economically downtrodden, the poor farmers, laborers and others who had little power in their own lives. Jesus presented a radical social proposition that meant society could be reconfigured to allow for less inequity and more sharing.”

I must have missed that as His core message. Instead, I read of everlasting life as His reason for being here:

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. (John 3:16-17 KJV)

Yes, He taught us how to live the Kingdom of Heaven lifestyle while we are here:

Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. (Matthew 25:37-40 KJV)

If one looks only for an historical Jesus with a mind centered on today’s societal ills, perhaps this message comes through as being the core of His ministry. But Jesus said there were things to be done, and others that should not be left undone:

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. (Matthew 23:23 KJV)

I hear an eternal spiritual message in addition to a temporal one:

God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (John 4:24 KJV)

Do I believe that God can lift those Havrelock lists who (as she states) lack power? Absolutely. Any differently than He did two thousand years ago? Not until His return. His purpose until then?

For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. (Luke 19:10 KJV)

According to Christ, angels are aware of this:

Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. (Luke 15:10 KJV)

Come now, let’s make some angels joyous!!!! And, let’s pay attention to both temporal and spiritual, these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.