Jesus was way more than a charismatic speaker clearly.
That's right. He was also the founder of an end of the world cult.
Jesus doesn't ask everyone to leave their home and job since they might be able to spread his kingdom there.
Yes he did. See the relevant verses below. Christians don't do that today, but it originally was a requirement to follow Christ while he was still alive.
Be a little more precise.
Ok, here you go:
- Claims world is ending imminently (1 John 2:18, Matthew 10:23, Matthew 16:28, Matthew 24:34)
- Wants you to sell or give away your belongings (Luke 14:33, Matthew 19:21, Luke 18:22)
- Wants you to cut off family who interfere, and leave your home/job to follow him (Matt. 10:35-37, Luke 14:26, Matthew 19:29)
- Unverifiable reward if you believe (Heaven, i.e. the carrot)
- Unverifiable punishment if you disbelieve (Hell, i.e. the stick)
- Sabotages the critical thinking faculties you might otherwise use to remove it (Proverbs 3:5, 2 Corinthians 5:7, Proverbs 14:12, Proverbs 28:26)
- Invisible trickster character who fabricates apparent evidence to the contrary in order to lead you astray from the true path
- Targets children and the emotionally/financially vulnerable for recruitment (sunday schools, youth group, teacher led prayer, prison ministries, third world missions)
Verses in full:
Imminent end of the world:
1 John 2:18
Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour.
Matthew 16:27-28
For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and will then repay every man according to his deeds. Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.
Matthew 24:34
Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.
Matthew 10:23
When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. Truly I tell you, you will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
Sell your belongings:
Luke 14:33
"In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples."
Matthew 19:21
Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
Luke 12:33
“Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.”
Luke 18:22
When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
Please note that only Luke 18:22 and Matthew 19:21 concern the story of Jesus advising the wealthy young man about the difficulty of entering heaven.
These verses are included for completeness, and to acknowledge the existence of this story because the most common objection I receive to the claim that Jesus required followers to sell their belongings is that I must be talking about this particular story and misunderstanding the message it conveys.
However in Luke 12:33 and Luke 14:33 Jesus is not speaking to that man but to a crowd following him, and in 14:33 he specifically says that those who do not give up everything they have cannot be his disciples. It is therefore not a recommendation but a requirement.
Cut off family members who try to stop you:
Luke 14:26
"If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters--yes, even their own life--such a person cannot be my disciple."
Matt. 10:35-37
“For I have come to turn a man against his father a daughter against her mother a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law---a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household. Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.”
Matthew 19:29
And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.
Do not apply critical thought to doctrine:
Proverbs 3:5
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding”
2 Corinthians 5:7
“For we live by faith, not by sight.”
Proverbs 14:12
“There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.”
Proverbs 28:26
“Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.”
He targets the poor in spirit to bring them hope. Jesus brings the promise of life after death. I can tell you have not tested your faith long enough to receive any fruits of the spirit. Can the Bible be proven in a court of science with all its prophesies... no. Power is given through faith like Jesus told Thomas, Blessed is he who has not seen but believed. I actually am surprised your reason hasn't lead you to Jesus considering how the foundations of today's world were based on satan's teaching to crowley, pike, and their crowd. Lastly, you are not able to create life, yet you seem to be a professed expert in its ways... Leave that to God bub. Also, God may have a person forsake all, but not sell all to make it into heaven. Like you pointed out, that was for the rich man for that was where his faith really was. Personally I grew up agnostic and was blessed with Joy of the Holy Spirit when I was truly obedient and faithful to the WAY. It is through Him that all my ways are made straight and my days made peaceful. Leading people astray will cost you greatly. Warning. Lastly just ponder it, God is perfect and can have no sin within his midst. Humans, full of sin, can not by themselves be brought to Heaven, we need a covering or else God's holy fire will consume us.... Did I lose you?