Tuesday 27 July 2010

Eternal Life

So, I was lying in bed last night, listening to the dulcet tones of Conrad Gempf (he used to be found here, but it seems real life got in the way) explain some delightful things about Jesus. I've been sauntering through his 'Jesus Asked' podcast, because Conrad has some enlightening things to say, and his voice is nice to fall asleep to.

Anyway, I reached the section where he talks about the conversation with the Rich Young Ruler, as he's known. He comes to ask Jesus "What must I do to inherit eternal life?"

Now, as we all know that Jesus was a good Christian boy, he would have answered "Well, you probably need to say 'The Sinner's Prayer', join a baptism class, and come along to Alpha on a Wednesday night. Oh, and we could use some help with the Sunday School..."

But no. Conrad points out that if you got 100 Christians, chosen for their proclivity for wearing WWJD, they wouldn't come up with Jesus answer did:
"You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honour your father and mother.'"
To 'inherit' eternal life, follow the commandments laid down in the law. S'what Jesus said.

Discuss.

3 comments:

Elizabeth said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Julia said...

Good point on the Jewish thing... arguably, this was still pre-grace. Not that we shouldn't follow the commandments.

He also told him to sell all he had and give it to the poor...

Good-bye Mac?!

...Just saying. :)

David said...

Lizzie, I hope you're joking. Glad you agree about Conrad, though!

Julia, I've already inherited eternal life. Ta.