Introduction:

It appears that Jesus intended for his followers to keep structure to a minimum and as simple as possible.  He talks about carrying “no baggage”.   He talks about staying poor and meeting in people homes.  He talks about any teachers of his way not using any labels of honor and not wearing any special clothes.

The Sayings of Jesus:

A Lamp on a Stand

Mark 4: 21

21 Jesus said to them: “Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under the couch, instead of being put on the lamp-stand?

Instructions for the Road

Mark 6: 8-9

8 He instructed them to take nothing but a staff for the journey — not even bread, or a bag, or coins in their purse; 9 but they were to wear sandals, and not to put on a second coat.

10 “Whenever you go to stay at a house,” he said, “remain there until you leave that place;

Privilege of Clergy:

Matthew 23: 2-8

2 “The teachers of the Law and the Pharisees now occupy the chair of Moses.…..5 All their actions are done to attract attention. They widen their phylacteries, and increase the size of their tassels, 6 and like to have the place of honor at dinner, and the best seats in the synagogues, 7 and to be greeted in the markets with respect, and to be called ‘Rabbi’ for everybody.  8 But do not allow yourselves to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have only one teacher, and you yourselves are all brothers and sisters.

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^[i] The Muslim Jesus by Tarif Khalidi

^[ii] The Sermon on the Mount According to Vedanta by Swami Prabhavananda

^[iii] Living Buddha, Living Christ by Thich Nhat Hanh