The Ten Commandments are big important rules for both Jews and Christians alike. They have to be followed and all are equally important, according to those who teach such things. Not honoring Mom is just as bad as murdering the guy down the street.
The interesting thing is that some of these do not seem to be closely followed – or followed at all – by those that we think should mostly follow them.
For example, take Jesus. He was a Jew, a rabbi, presumably a pretty important guy until the developing Christians took him away from being a prophet for the Jews. And while the Jews eschew the Jesus of the New Testament, you can find some interesting Jesus-quotes there.
One from Jesus relates to number Five of the Big Ten. Number five in the Commandment hit parade is the one about honoring your mother and father. But it seems – no it states – that Jesus orders followers or potential followers to not follow this admonition. “Thalt shalt honor thy mother and father” says this Commandment.
But in Luke 9:59 – 62 admonishes his potential followers to shun this fifth commandment and to not adhere to it. Luke 9:59 – 62 says, “He (Jesus) said to another man, ‘Follow me.’ “But the man replied, ‘Lord, first let me go and bury my father.’”
“Jesus said to him, ‘Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.’ “Still another said, ‘I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family.’”
“Jesus replied, ‘No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.’” Thus, Jesus if not condemning this one of the Ten Commandments, is at least discounting it as an important part of the big Ten.
Yet in that period of time, as even today, to not acknowledge the death of a family member or to honor parents with a decent death service, funeral, memorial service or acknowledgement would be to markedly and noticeably dishonor them.
When my mother died at 88, she had few friends and no family remaining, but I still had a small remembrance and memorial for her in her honor with her remaining family and friends.
When my father died at 92 I did the same thing, notifying his few remaining friends and having the kind of service and funeral that he wanted. I would do – I could do – no less for them. Both of my parents deserved this honor and measure of respect for their lives in which they had cared for me and nurtured me in my youth.
For Jesus to do less and insist that potential followers ignore this rite of passage and respect is nothing more than an egotistical, selfish, and narcissistic attitude on his part. He is the big Pooh Bah and “important” – we are not. We – or at least the Christians – should expect or have expected more from this Savior, this God of Man, this role model, this Perfect Man of their religion.
Then again, maybe not. Or was this Jesus really the man/god he was purported to be? Or were the Ten Commandments or parts of them not as important as subsequent generations think? Or did Jesus just have a better Ad Agency and Public Relations department than has been disclosed by now?
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