Have you ever heard Christians lament that they did not live when I lived and have a chance to follow me in that way? Have you ever felt this way yourself? But consider how few understood my identity and followed me during my lifetime. I told even those who did that it was better that I go away, for I would send the Comforter to be with them and in them forever. You may not understand how one thing was contingent on the other, but do you see how you benefit from the same truth? If you truly understand the meaning and implications of indwelling presence you will be glad you live now.

I told my followers not to seek after the things the gentiles sought after, things to wear and eat and drink, but to seek the Kingdom of God. I gave a few of the things the gentiles seek but the list was not exhaustive. What do people seek today in addition? Perfect bodies that are tall and slender and fit are valued in your culture. There is nothing wrong with a desire to be healthy and to maintain your temple as my residence, but some engage in unhealthy practices for the sake of appearances. You can change your weight but you cannot change your height by worrying about it. Godliness is still more profitable than bodily exercise. 

Have you ever read my response to the question of who is my neighbor and thought, of course he stopped to help, he was a Good Samaritan? This term has become so commonplace that it distorts the meaning of the original passage. For there was enmity between the Jews and Samaritans over doctrinal matters that continues to this day. It was the one outside of true doctrine and practice of faith who stopped to help. To reframe the story and recover the original impact for an audience of modern believers it would be the good gay person or the good atheist. Who is your neighbor? 

Have you noticed that I spoke in mysterious paradoxes? I claimed to be living bread and living water and even said that you must eat my flesh and drink my blood to have life. These things are not given much emphasis today, and theologians take on the task of providing explanations for these difficult passages to make them easy. But if I wanted to make them easy I would have done so myself and stated them differently. They do not lend themselves to easy answers but they are still the words of life as they are stated. If you continue in my word and engage these questions you shall have life and be free indeed.