February
12, 2016
My 2016 Lenten Journey: Exploring the
Gospels to discover what following Jesus and becoming more like him would look
like? ‘And I, when I am lifted
up from the earth, will draw all people to myself” (John 12:32 NRSV).
Matthew 2:10-11 NRSV ~ When they saw that the star had stopped, they were
overwhelmed with joy. 1 On entering the house, they saw the child
with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage.
It is
difficult to overstate the importance of this encounter between the infant
Jesus and these foreign dignitaries and scholars (aka the Magi and the Wise
Men). It marks a crucial shift in the understanding of the God who is fully
reflected in the life of Jesus. Prior to this encounter God had been perceived,
even among mainstream Jews, as “their” God: and exclusive and tribal deity who dispenses
retributive justice. This encounter is the gateway to a new, more accurate
understanding in which God’s Epiphany (disclosure) is open to all creation.
"Jesus did not come to change the mind
of God about humanity; Jesus came to change the mind of humanity about
God." ~ Richard Rohr
Does my
witness portray a God who favors one ethnic, cultural or political people or
ideology (namely, mine)? Or do I follow Jesus and present a witness for all
(and “all” means “all”)?
Whoever has seen me has seen the Father (John
14:9 NRSV)
‘And I, when I am lifted up from the
earth, will draw all people to myself” (John
12:32 NRSV).
That's the way it looks through the flawed glass that is my world
view.
Together in the Walk,
Jim
No comments:
Post a Comment