Those Christians who rely on their pastor to tell them about Jesus would be shocked to learn that Jesus’ teachings were very Jewish and in direct contradiction to Paul’s. Churches often refrain from teaching the Historical Jewish Jesus. Instead, they focus on the words of Paul and John in an attempt to strip Jesus of his Jewishness. The number of Jesus’ sayings that are rarely if ever preached, are sadly too many to list in the limited space of this article. Here, instead, are the five most shocking things Jesus said that you will never hear preached in a Christian Church.
1. Thing Jesus Said that You Will Never Hear in Church: Gentiles Do Not Deserve The Blessings Of G-d
In Matthew 15:26 we find a Gentile woman following Jesus and asking for healing for her daughter. Jesus responds by saying “It is not right that I should take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” In other words, he believes that the blessings of G-d are reserved for the children of Israel. Further, he referred to Gentiles as dogs.
This verse is almost never preached inside a Christian church. How could they reconcile it with the Christian belief that Jesus died to free the Gentiles from sin? Indeed, it seems that Jesus did not like Gentiles being taught Torah or receiving the blessings of G-d. Why then would he die so they could do so?
I once had a preacher point out that once the woman counters Jesus he says “By your faith, you are healed.” Even so, Jesus does not change his belief system and begin massively healing Gentiles after this. Rather, Jesus continues his teachings and healing of the children of Israel. Therefore, we should assume this woman was an exception because she reached out in faith to a Jewish teacher.
2. Jesus said he was sent ONLY to the Israelites
Jesus said in Matthew 15:24, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Jesus didn’t just say he was sent to Israel. He said he was sent ONLY to Israel. You can see why a Christian church wanting people to believe he died for the sins of the Gentiles would not teach this saying. Jesus said it, but the church cannot explain it. Therefore, they ignore it.
The only viable argument the church has against this verse is that with Jesus’ death on the cross, this changed. However, Jesus never said in his own words that this would be changed by his death. Jesus until his last breath maintained that he was sent to Israel.
3. Jesus said the Law Is NOT Dead
In Matthew 5:17 Jesus says “Think not that I come to abolish the law.” In Matthew 5:19, just to make sure there is no misunderstanding of this statement, he further explains that anyone who does not teach the law or teaches another to not obey the law will be considered the least in the kingdom of heaven. “Whosoever, therefore, shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” Clearly, Jesus did not intend for his followers to stop practicing the law.
Of course, this verse is never taught, because the church teaches that we no longer live under the law. If a preacher taught this verse, he would be admitting to his congregation that either the law is still relevant or that he was going to be among the least of those in heaven. Therefore, the verse is ignored completely.
4. Thing Jesus Said that You Will Never Hear in Church: Jesus said he did not come to bring peace but a sword.
Christian Churches often frame Jesus as the Prince of Peace. However, Jesus himself in Matthew 10:34 says he did not come to bring peace but a sword. He further says in Matthew 10:35 that families and friends will be torn apart because of his word. In other words, Jesus says he came to bring truths that not everyone can accept. His teachings will cause disagreements and misunderstandings.
Jesus was a zealot. He had no interest in being the king of peace. Jesus instead wanted to awaken man’s minds and force them to question the status quo. Questioning the status quo does not bring peace, but arguments. Still, these arguments awaken truths within man.
5. Jesus Said Salvation Comes From Work NOT Faith
Perhaps the most shocking, for Christians, of the things Jesus said was that salvation comes through works. They have been taught that all they need to do is believe in Jesus to be forgiven and enter the kingdom of heaven. However, this simply is not true. While today’s churches love to quote John 3:16 and claim that simply having faith in Jesus will get one to heaven, this is not at all what Jesus himself believed.
In Matthew 19:17 he says “If you would enter life keep the commandments.” Jesus is commanding one to follow the law in order to enter heaven. Matthew 25:31-46 supports the fact that works and actions decide one’s fate:
34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”
In Revelation 2:23 Jesus states “I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you as your WORKS deserve.” Clearly, Jesus states that life will be judged by its works, not its Fatih.
Conclusion
Despite what has been said about him by others, in Jesus’ own words he was Jewish. Those who choose to follow Paul and John do so at their own peril. Jesus taught the law. Jesus taught doing the work of G-d. Many are deceived because the Christian church denies the Jewishness of Jesus. Still, Jesus told us in his own words he is ONLY Jewish. Christians would do well to research other things Jesus said that you will never hear in church, for this is only a shortlist. Get to know the man you worship and I promise you will fall in love with G-d and Judaism, just like Jesus did.
For more information about the historical Jewish Jesus click here.
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