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).
I am struck by how detractors virtually never give credit
where credit is due. Political candidates and pundits and wannabees find the
tiniest scrap of scandal and wave it like the national ensign if it implies the
slightest discredit to their opponent. On the other hand, their candidate can
do no wrong.
In the text, Jesus already has triggered the ire of the
establishment with his message of “enemy love” and grace to all people,
including Gentiles in general and Romans in particular.
They’d heard enough. They began with the assumption that
they were right, and they no longer were listening, nor did they care what
Jesus might say. He dared to challenge their passionate hatred of the Romans
and nothing he would do for the remainder of his earthly life and ministry
would be considered valid or good by the establishment.
Some things never change.
Within the last hour I read an article that brought into
focus some things I’ve felt and thought for years, but had not clearly
articulated. The article identifies Jesus’ message as “a message of transformation through service, sacrifice, and selfless
love for our neighbors, enemies and selves. A message of humiliation and
simplicity as the way of abundance
and eternal life. Christians were never meant to be the ones in power. In fact,
history shows us that anytime Christianity is given a position of power and
influence, it quickly departs from the Gospel of Jesus—because a Christianity
that is given worldly power is not Christianity at all. Christianity is the
religion that proclaims a God who humbled himself and entered into creation, taking
the form of a servant—who touched the untouchables and spoke sharp truth that
exposed those in power. Christianity is a religion centered on the subversive
power of love and sacrifice, not on the love of power and wealth.”[1]
"The foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the
weakness of God is stronger than human strength" (I Corinthians 1:25)
If I am to follow Jesus, it becomes clearer and clearer
where that will lead.
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
[1] Brandon Robertson, “To the Dying Church from a
Millennial,” Sojourners, https://sojo.net/articles/letters-dying-church/dying-church-millennial. May 8,
2014. [NOTE: in the second sentence of the quote I would have said "humility" instead of humiliation. Humiliation was the result of Jesus' choice to be humble.]
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