Wright, Willard, and the Life of Christ in Stereo

Tara writes:
Just some thoughts - spurred on by NT Wright's idea that when Jesus shared a parable, it was about what he was already doing, and Dallas Willard's ideas from chapter 3 and 4 of Divine Conspiracy, and someone's compelation of the gospels called the Life of Christ in Stereo.

What if Jesus had just chosen his "12" from his huge following of disciples (as told in Luke 6)? "Early in the morning he calls the disciples to him and names the twelve "winners"." (Divine Conspiracy) What if the beatitudes are not so much instructions to do anything, but rather "illustrations and explanations, drawn from the immediate setting, of the present availability of the kingdom through personal relationship to Jesus" (DC)?

In both Matthew and Luke, they make the distinction that Jesus "turned his gaze on His disciples" or "his disciples came to him and he began to teach them". Were they struggling with an elitist mentality? With being the "winner" who got picked first and foremost above all? with being really, truly blessed? Were they feeling pretty cool that their relationship with Jesus was unique and more available to them then for others?

And so did Jesus burst their bubble by giving illustrations and examples of not so favorable people (at least not ones that would be seen as blessed) and saying that it is to these that the kingdom is available?

Were the beatitudes a way for Jesus to combat the sense of superiority that those who follow him might have? Did his disciples have a sense of "we're in and they're out" and did Jesus want to squash that kind of thinking in his followers altogether?

Just jello thoughts - nothing solid, just squishy and slippery and not of any substantive value.

A quote I like: "Draw any cultural or social line you wish, and God will find his way beyond it". (DC)