A few weeks
ago, Ryan and I listened to a sermon online. The sermon was about how Jesus is
offensive. The preacher described
how Jesus offends us when we are living against the ways of God. This offensiveness of Jesus leads us
from living out of our own desires to live according to God’s desires.
Day after day
we talk about Jesus with our friends here. They love to talk about Jesus. We do this because we love and follow Jesus and believe he
is the way to God and to everlasting life. We struggle to tell stories that Jesus told and stories
about Jesus (in Hindi/Urdu), because the story of who Jesus is and what he has
done and continues to do shape our lives, they have actually given us new life!
In light of
all of these things, I started asking myself, “How do I view Jesus?”. Is he offensive to me?
Yes, the
things Jesus said and did and tells us to do are offensive to the desires I
sometimes feel for my life. For
example, the Sermon on the Mount: Mt 5:1-11
The blessed ones are described as:
the poor in spirit
the mourners
the meek
those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
the merciful
the pure in heart
the peacemakers
the persecuted
Umm, those characteristics don’t exactly describe my
everyday life…. If it were left up to me in my own strength and power to be and
do these things, it would be very
offensive and depressing actually, but that is what is so beautiful about
Jesus. He is the one! He accomplished these things for us and
because of his love and the Spirit of God we are inspired and empowered to live
like him.
The adjective that I have been overwhelmed with to describe
Jesus lately has not been offensive, but instead, beautiful. For those who follow Jesus and trust in
his sacrifice for our shame, he is beautiful. Overwhelmingly, intoxicatingly beautiful. He is
good news for all people. The more
I learn a new language and learn to share parables and the stories of how Jesus
interacts with people, it is coming alive in a new way. Jesus is totally radical to every culture,
because no matter how different cultures and countries may be, Jesus was always
speaking of a different kingdom, the kingdom of God. I long for that kingdom to take root in all cultures. It is going to be awesome!
Jesus is
beautiful. Following him, though
not always easy or comfortable in this life, is the most beautiful thing.
Amen, Amen! May we savor Jesus' beauty by dwelling on his work and rejoicing in his grace and sharing this with those who don't know the beauty!
ReplyDeleteHoping and praying that the time with Ms. Wilson is amazing and that her heart is encouraged by seeing the relationships your in, filled by the spirit in Kanpur, and broken for the people you encounter.
May God bless yall this weekend as the person comes to check out your home for adoption!