What is the word?

John 8:31-32

         What a short snippet of Scripture. Sort of a 'can you name this tune' of Scripture. None the less, the shortness does not equate with a less valid message or one that can't teach us about our lives and the world today.

        I have spoken before ( most notably, 8-30-14, The Original Free Radical ) of how we behave as Christians. How Jesus acted seems at least equally important as what he actually said. I look at what Jesus said, he did not speak out one way or another about homosexuality. He did however give implicit approval by way of the Roman Centurion and his "dear slave".  One thing Jesus actually did speak about was the sanctity of marriage. He was not in favor of divorce. It seem hysterical to me then that the thrice divorced AG of Florida is the one promoting restrictions on valid loving committed relationships in her state. Hypocrisy abounds! You just have to laugh (or cry).

         One of the few clear cut and crystal clear messages that Jesus did give us was the two great commandments.  Are these the words Jesus is referring to in today's passage?  the Jews already had at their disposal all the writing of the prophets, all of the Hebrew Scriptures. What "word", if I can be so bold as to pick a single word out of Scripture, is Jesus referring to? But of course He is the Word.

        Of all the laws and all of the musing and prognostications of the prophets, Jesus claimed the two great commandments summed up everything.  It's not so nice and tidy for those who want all those rules and rubrics, Canon Laws and codifications.  But Jesus says he is the Way. His words. We also give great credence to the way Jesus lived, but it is those two great commandments uttered by him that give discipleship and salvation. 

Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, ‘If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.’