Us and Them -- or Him?

Jesus said unto her, “I that speak unto you am he.” (John 4:26)

John 4 details a story of Jesus revealing his identify to a Samaritan woman. If we are followers of Jesus, it is our job to reveal him to others so there are several observations we can make in this passage. From my perspective, “modern Christianity” viewed in light of the exchange between Jesus and this woman highlights a few of those observations:

• Jesus looked at the overlooked. He took an interest in an individual who was, at best, overlooked by virtually everyone. Her lifestyle was such that she was shunned even by the shunned! She was regarded as the lowest of low. Jesus loved her. I wonder if I would? I wonder if I do?

• Jesus’ did not intentionally divide. After Jesus made some accurate statements about the chaotic state of her life, she realized he was a prophet. Her response was to immediately bring up divisive religious issues. Jesus was unwavering in his mission. He steered the conversation back to the real issue, her deep need. Though the issue of Jesus is definitely divisive in some cases, his intent was not division but completion. When I “bite” at the divisive issue bait, I am left hanging on empty line while others starve without the food that truly satisfies their soul’s deepest need. Am I more comfortable arguing issues than humbly bringing people to Jesus?

• Jesus neither avoided nor focused on her sin issues. The issue was not that she had had several husbands and the man she was living with was not her husband. That was merely the result of her desperate search for soul satisfaction. The issue was that Jesus had something that would permanently meet those deepest needs that had been left unsatisfied in spite of her best efforts. Am I rendered useless to reveal Jesus to others due to my inability to move past the sin (either by ignoring it or by getting stuck on it) and address the real issue?

In this day of seemingly increasing polarizations of “us” and “them”, shouldn’t the majority of our efforts toward unbelievers be centered on “Him” – revealing Jesus to others?   Why do we seem to be failing miserably at this mission?

• Do we look?

• Do we get caught by divisive issues bait?

• Do we get stuck on sin instead of addressing the true need?

• Or do we reveal Jesus?

Follow Jesus, plus nothing. 

Fatal Friendly Fire

These things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me. (John 16:3)

What image comes to your mind when you imagine Christians being persecuted for their beliefs? How do you envision the persecutors? I usually picture them as radical sects of non-Christian religions or as the hardened criminal types who hate Christians. While these images are accurate, they are incomplete. According to John 16, if I do not understand another aspect of persecution, I will be offended. stumble and fall as I strive to pursue Jesus.

In John 16, Jesus is talking to the disciples and warning them of tough times ahead. They will be put out of the synagogues. They will be killed, and their murderers will think they are doing God a service.

For as long as I can remember, I have known that those who hated Jesus the most and who persecuted His early followers were the Jewish religious leaders and their followers at that time. But I have never really contemplated what an anguishing situation it must have been for those who had previously followed God, faithfully practicing Judaism to be hated by very leaders they had previously held in high esteem. Painful rejection.

The most painful spiritual/emotional wounds Christians in our country sustain are inflicted by other Christians or “Christians.” Sometimes the offending issues are addressed and worked out biblically. Often times they are not. Believers who follow Jesus down an unconventional path are most at risk for sustaining wounds via “friendly fire.” That was true of the early Christians, and that is true today. Why?

Jesus said the religious would reject and kill because they have not known the Father nor have they known Jesus. The Jewish leaders were well educated. They knew scripture better than anyone and they knew more about the law and about God than the average Jew. But Jesus said they did not know Him or His Father.

We would do well to pay close attention to this teaching and evaluate our lives in light of this truth:

*Have I delivered "friendly fire?" (Do I really know Jesus and the Father?)
*Have I received 'friendly fire?" (Have I been offended, stumbled, fallen as a result?)
Follow Jesus…plus nothing.

Plus Nothing

Follow Jesus…plus nothing.

Recently I have used this phrase often. I use it very sincerely. I desperately want to follow Jesus with nothing added. But the reality is my life does not completely look like Jesus said it will if I follow him plus nothing.

*Jesus said, if I follow him, I will be a fisher of men. (Mat 4:19)
*Jesus said if I follow him, I will be where he is. (Jo 12:26)
*Jesus said if I follow him, I will deny myself. (Mat 8:34, Lu 9:23)

Admittedly, I do not know much about fishing for fish.  I do not particularly enjoy fishing. If I did, I’m sure I would have made the effort to know more about it. But, as a follower of Jesus, I will want to fish for men. I will not only want to fish for men, but I will learn about it from Jesus and do it. Do I?

Closely correlated to the fishing, is the fact that a follower of Jesus will be where He is. Am I willing to follow Him anywhere? Do I listen to Him or do I listen to tradition? Am I willing to go outside of my comfort zone – with or without the approval of others? Am I willing to meet any person He puts into my path? Am I willing to love any person He puts into my path? Am I willing to be Jesus to absolutely anyone? Am I?

Finally, the key to the fishing and following anywhere, is denying myself. That word “denying” is defined, “to affirm that one has no acquaintance or connection with someone; to forget one’s self, lose sight of one’s self and one’s own interests.” I believe this is a progression. When I deny what I know to deny and follow Jesus, the journey itself will reveal various self-interests that I still cling to. As they are revealed, am I willing to continuing denying? Will I?

That is following Jesus as defined by Jesus. What about the plus nothing?

It’s simple. What ingredients do I try to add?
*Do I believe one must look a certain way to follow Jesus?
*Do I believe one must attend a certain church at certain times to follow Jesus?
*Do I believe one must read certain books or Bible versions to follow Jesus?
*Do I believe one must participate in certain activities to follow Jesus?
*Do I believe one must worship or not worship in a certain way to follow Jesus?
*Do I believe…

…well, the list would grow quite lengthy if I were to enumerate the many different convictions, preferences and tastes identified among individuals and cultures.  But they are just that -- convictions, preferences and tastes. 

Do I follow Jesus? Plus nothing? Jesus, help me.

Hated

If the world hates you, you know that it hated me before it hated you. – Jesus (John 15:18)

Hate is a strong word. It means just what you think it does: to hate, pursue with hatred, detest. Strong language! There is not much talk in Christian circles about hatred. It is not a pleasant topic. But, if it was important enough for Jesus to address, we probably should too.

Jesus explained that it is necessary to talk about the fact that the world will hate His followers so that his followers will not be offended – literally meaning to put a stumbling block or impediment in the way, upon which one may trip and fall. (John 16:1) In other words, when the going gets tough, stand.

I think there are some questions we should ponder in regard to this topic of being hated:

*Why do they hate me?
-Is my Christ-likeness offending them?
-Or am I just offensive?

*Why don’t they hate me?
-Do I seek to please men more than God?
-Is there a difference between me and the world?

I have met some Christians who appear to make it their goal to be hated. They are rather hateful and they are hated by many. Though they can proudly proclaim they are hated for the cause of Christ, they are ineffective in God’s kingdom.

I have met other Christians who appear to make it their goal not to be hated. Though they proudly proclaim they are loved by almost everyone, they are also ineffective in God’s kingdom.

I know which is my tendency.  Do you?

The reality is, our goal is neither to be hated or to be loved but to follow Jesus.  We need to be Jesus to those around us. When we are, some will hate us; others will come to love Jesus. If they hate us, we shouldn’t be surprised or offended. If they come to love Jesus, we should celebrate!

Paul puts it this way in 2 Corinthians 2:14-17:  Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life.


We can keep this issue of being hated very simple.  There is nothing we must do to get it right other than follow Jesus and be like him.

Follow Jesus...plus nothing. 

Efficiency Evaluation

I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch…that bears fruit, he purges it, that it may bring forth more fruit. – Jesus (John 15)

If you are a follower of Jesus, you are a branch (John 15:5). In the context of John 15, a true follower of Jesus bears fruit and a true follower is purged in order to bear more fruit. The Greek word translated as “purged” is kathairo, meaning “to cleanse, of filth impurity” and also “to prune trees and vines from useless shoots.”

That reminds me of Hebrews 12:1 where Paul admonishes us to lay aside every weight (useless shoots) and sin (filth, impurity) that besets us and to run with patience the race that is set before us.

These two metaphors of the Christian life describe efficiency - achieving maximum productivity with minimum wasted effort or expense (dictionary.com).  Efficiency is this age is highly esteemed. Apparently, it has always been highly esteemed by God. But are our efforts aimed at efficiency properly focused? Are we efficient fruit bearers? Are we efficient racers?

We say our church is efficient...
-Our debt reduction plan is progressive.
-Our budget is streamlined (we are good stewards).
-Our technology is up to date.
-Our services pack the most power into the least amount of time.
-Our ministries reach a lot of people.
-Our…

But if we evaluate our efficiency by God's standards...
-Do we know what fruit He desires?
-Do we bear that fruit?
-Do we continue to bear more of that fruit?
-Do we know what race He set before us?
-Do we run that race?
-Do we patiently run that race?

God, inspect our fruit and evaluate our race. Cleanse us of impurities and rid us of excess so that we may be our best for You. 

Follow Jesus...plus nothing.