5 more things Jesus actually said

1. "Take heart, son, your sins are forgiven." And like it: "Take heart, daughter, your faith has made you well." Matthew 9:2 and 9:22.
What Jesus meant.  Healing is intimate and personal. It starts with an acknowledgment of one's identity.  Jesus sees a man, not as a paralytic, but as a son.  He sees a woman, not as someone with a blood disease, but as a daughter.  Disease can become one's identity. Think of cancer or HIV/AIDS.  Jesus restores personhood, childhood, relationship.  And he releases them from the root cause of their suffering; alienation, guilt, abuse.  How can we restore someone's dignity and humanity when they are suffering with illness or injury?  Tell them they are God's children. See them as children.
Also, healing seems to have a lot to do with one's capacity to trust God. When one trusts God, the giver of life, nothing threatens you.
2.   "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile." Mark 6:31.
What Jesus meant.  Life is more than the sum total of one's achievements and accomplishments.  Work and productivity do not alone give life meaning.  Rest that is granted after a day of labor is an essential part of a healthy rhythm.  Sabbath-keeping, according to Jesus, is not about legally forcing people to take a day off and go to church.  Sabbath is a gift to replenish the weary body, mind, and spirit. And we all need it.  We need to rest daily and weekly. And we all need to engage in some meaningful work; work that benefits others and promotes well-being.  Work that affirms and gives dignity to others.  Work that provides for the needs of others.This work may be professional or paid work.  But for many people, meaningful work will be volunteer service.  Jesus invites people to rest with him. How can we develop a rhythm that includes rest for our bodies, minds, and spirits every week?
3.  "You give them something to eat." Mark 6:37.
What Jesus meant.  You look at the world's economy and see scarcity.  You have been trained to believe that there is not enough for everyone and that one must acquire more in order to survive.  You have been taught to consume first and share second.  Jesus looks at God's world and sees abundance.  Jesus sees more than enough for all.  He invites us to share first and consume second, because he knows that there will always be more.  Those of us who have food are obligated to share with those who do not have food.  As a rule, never eat alone.  Always find company and share.  Life is better (and food tastes better) when we do.
4. "Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who does not take his cross and follow is not worthy of me." Matthew 10:37.
What Jesus meant.  In Jesus's 1st century world, the family was the source and center of a stable and sustainable life.  Without one's family, you had nothing.  So, this message is a radical departure from common sense and conventional wisdom.  Does Jesus invite people to abandon family life?  I don't think so.  But Jesus is creating a new culture and a new kind of community.  Life with Jesus is demanding and requires one's full attention and allegiance. We allow so many other people and things to place demands upon us, to which we readily submit.  We are surrendered to many systems that demand our allegiance and loyalty.  Those systems, however, are not as forgiving and gracious as Jesus. (Try not paying your mortgage and see what happens to your house.) So, if you serve Jesus do not expect life to be easy, heavenly, or more prosperous.  Jesus does not promise blessings.  He promises the cross.  If you like a challenge, an adventure, and a way to live that promises a few surprises, join Jesus. A new kind of family, community, culture and sense of belonging emerges when one connects to Jesus.
5. "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Matthew 8:26. Jesus calmed storms that threatened his disciples.  While they tremble in fear because of the storm, Jesus slept on a cushion. He seemed fearless. We have been taught to fear so many things.  Invisible threats; from diseases to terrorists.  We fear death.  We fear poverty.  We fear suffering.  Jesus claims that faith diminishes fear.  How does Jesus experience calm in the midst of a storm? Is his reality different from ours?  What does he see and know that we do not?  Eternal peace?  A love stronger than death?