Who is Jesus to me?

"Who is Jesus to me?" We were asked to answer this question by our pastor today.  I must admit that my first response to this question was "That is dangerous!"  Not that I believe it is dangerous to contemplate deeply who Jesus is.  I believe that is essential to our discipleship.  I do believe though that it can be dangerous to define who Jesus is personally independent from Scripture and the rest of the Body of Christ.

The evangelical movement of the last 50 years has defined Christianity in many ways as a personal relationship.  And for me that has been a struggle because I see  Scripture call us to follow Jesus as community.  Paul did amazing things but without Peter, Barnabas and even John Mark, he would have have been unable to see Christ fully.  He would have only seen who Jesus was to him.  For example, he would have missed out seeing the patience and vision of Jesus, as he worked in John Mark.  This is a side of Jesus Paul obviously did not see as he sent John Mark packing.  But it obvious that Paul later saw it as he called John Mark to his side.

I do not say this to question my pastor or even to complain in any way. I say this to set up my answer to the question.  Before I knew Jesus, I was extremely confident in myself.  If you asked me there was nothing I couldn't accomplish on my own.  I had no need of others except as objects of competition to motivate me to do better.  Jesus, by the very nature of His call, brought me into community, into relationship, with my brothers and sisters in Christ.  He is still working on my pride and competitive nature today and until He perfects me, He is the mediator that makes encouraging, edifying and educational relationships with other believers possible. (that aliteration is for Pastor Chris)  He is the one who allows me to see the lost with compassion as opposed to disdain or indifference.

Jesus is a reconciler.  He not only reconciled me to Himself but also to the entire Body of Christ.  These actions are why I find it hard to define "Who Jesus is to me?" because Jesus has shown me that I am nothing without Him and we are helpless without each other.  I hope to hear from many others from Trinity as well as the anyone else, because "Who Jesus is to US" can only help all of us to see Him more clearly.

Is this really who we are?

I read an article in Newsweek today that really disturbed me (http://www.newsweek.com/2010/12/09/one-nation-under-god.html).  It wasn't the quality of reporting.  It wasn't that I felt bias was at work.  It was that I felt like the author might be right.  I would really encourage you to read the article before continuing to read my thoughts.

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20 ESV)

The joke goes in the classic comedy The Blues Brothers that "We're on a mission from God".  But if you are a follower of Christ, this is no joke.  We truly are on a mission from God.  And honestly, it has nothing to do with preserving America as an "exceptional place".  Now don't get me wrong,  I believe America is and I praise God for the freedoms He has offered us here.  

But read Matthew 28 again.  You find nothing about creating an exceptional nation or government.  Actually to the contrary, the Good New was to be brought to all nations.  

Read it again.  You find nothing about democracy.  As you read the Bible, it will become abundantly clear that God's prescribed system of governance is almost always hierarchical (http://esv.to/Ep5.22-6:9) and not democratic in an effort to make you realize that you answer to the person above you and in the end that person is always God.  Whether we ascent to it or not, we live in a dictatorship (http://esv.to/Rm14.10-12).

Read it again.  You find nothing about free market capitalism.  As I read the Bible, it becomes clear, not that any form of economy is preferred but, that we are to care so little for possessions and cling so loosely to them that it matters not whether fully control them, give them to the government (http://esv.to/Mk12.13-17), give them to our God, give them to those in need (http://esv.to/2Co8.1-15) or have them forcible taken from us (See Job and Joseph).  Our view is that they are not ours any way.

We are a people on mission backed by all the authority of the creator of the universe.  But that mission is one of Good News and discipleship: to America, to immigrants (legal and illegal) (http://esv.to/De1.16-18, http://esv.to/Jr22.3), to foreigners, to allies and enemies (http://esv.to/Mt5.43-48).  To any one who is lost.

But I fear, if this article is right, we, who are found, could be most lost of all.

What to Do With a Stranger | LeadershipJournal.net

What to Do With a Stranger | LeadershipJournal.net

What an incredible insight into evangelism in our churches today? Let us be encouraged by this story but also let us remember that God rarely works the same way twice.

Who am I?

Today's readings were from Exodus 20:15, Zechariah 5:3 and Romans 2:21. It is amazing how the Holy Spirit works.  These readings could have been a simple devotion on stealing. "You shall not steal."  And that would have been the end of it.  But nope, God decided to throw in Romans 2: 21.

Where Have I Been

It has been quite a while since I last posted. Many (who am I kidding...no one reads this) may be asking where i have been. I think the better question right now might be where am I going. My head is a buzz write now with options. But this past week I have really been trying not to think about the past or the future but rather on what God would have me do right now. Today, this evening, RIGHT NOW! Often I get so caught up in where I have been that I rewrite history. Other times I get so wrapped up in what could be that nothing ever is. God I pray that you would keep me concentrated on you. And you are eternal. Time is irrelevant to you. As far as you are concerned there is only now because all of history past and future is NOW. You are a God of the present because everything is present for you. I desire to be a follower in the present. Send your helper because I need it.