Hilarious!
So... what level are you at?
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
self examination
I’ve been thinking about Jesus’ triumphal-looking entry to Jerusalem as recorded in the gospels when people who had heard about Lazarus’ resurrection from the dead went nuts about his entry to their city.
The things that people said and sang about Jesus were actually true, but the perspective that they had about him in that day was most definitely different than we have come to understand it as a church that has been grafted in by his death and resurrection. This was because at this point in the history of the Israelites, there was an oppressive imperial power, which had bred seeds of rebellion and dissention in the region in Palestine. The history of the region shortly after Jesus’ death, and resurrection shows an active rebellion against the imperial powers of that day confirming the fact that Israel was brewing an active rebellion against Rome and looking for somebody to spearhead it.
I’m inclined to believe that the reason why the crowds then got so mad with him and called for his crucifixion was because he did not live up to their expectations and proceeded to rub salt into a sore spot with his teachings about giving to Caesar what belongs to him and tearing down the temple which was not only a worship venue, but a relic from a time when Israel was the dominant military and imperial force in the region.
Jesus was trying to help them understand that his kingdom was not of this world… and though a few eventually understood what he was talking about, he must have dashed the hopes of hundreds of people that were probably looking to rally behind him in an active revolt.
I’ve been through a period of self-examination and thinking about my role as a facilitator of an encounter with Jesus and have had to come to the realization that sometimes I create an impression about Jesus that is not entirely accurate. All too often I have stressed the fact that he is all powerful and all knowing – which he is and make no mistake about it – but I have neglected to put that message hand in hand with his own thoughts and teachings about taking up my cross and following him or being yoked with him… It may be an EASY yoke and a LIGHT burden, but it still is a yoke AND a burden. Following Jesus and living for him as an individual and as a community is no simple task!
It would be like describing one dear friend (lets call him Sam) that I would like another (who we shall call Russ) to meet and talking a lot about Sam all the while forgetting to mention his ethnicity or some other distinguishing characteristic. The most obvious outcome of the meeting that I would have tried to facilitate would be that Russ would absolutely not recognize Sam. Or perhaps Russ would be put off that I would forget to mention something about Sam especially if the characteristic could be construed as offensive. Or as a less drastic outcome of the meeting, it would be an awkward encounter in which Russ would be trying to verify whether Sam was who I really said he was.
In retrospect (and I may be wrong), I think that sometimes I have been trying to facilitate a meeting between people and Jesus and it is completely botched because I misrepresent him - Jesus. I’ve had to return to re-examining the things I say in order to build the expectation of the congregation as we gather on a weekly basis so that I am painting an accurate picture of the savior that rebukes, chastises, but also revives, loves and restores me. Jesus that challenges me to live in the world, but not controlled by the worlds systems, desires and inclinations. Jesus who DEMANDS my soul, my life, my all and who rejects the notion that I should come to him as a miracle and gift-giving dispensing machine.
My prayer is that moving forward, God would help me (and us) to paint a more accurate picture of who he is so that his people will recognize him, long for him and run to him.
-----------------------------
Psalm 97
1 The LORD reigns, let the earth be glad;
let the distant shores rejoice.
2 Clouds and thick darkness surround him;
righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
3 Fire goes before him
and consumes his foes on every side.
4 His lightning lights up the world;
the earth sees and trembles.
5 The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,
before the Lord of all the earth.
6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness,
and all the peoples see his glory.
7 All who worship images are put to shame,
those who boast in idols—
worship him, all you gods!
8 Zion hears and rejoices
and the villages of Judah are glad
because of your judgments, O LORD.
9 For you, O LORD, are the Most High over all the earth;
you are exalted far above all gods.
10 Let those who love the LORD hate evil,
for he guards the lives of his faithful ones
and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
11 Light is shed upon the righteous
and joy on the upright in heart.
12 Rejoice in the LORD, you who are righteous,
and praise his holy name.
The things that people said and sang about Jesus were actually true, but the perspective that they had about him in that day was most definitely different than we have come to understand it as a church that has been grafted in by his death and resurrection. This was because at this point in the history of the Israelites, there was an oppressive imperial power, which had bred seeds of rebellion and dissention in the region in Palestine. The history of the region shortly after Jesus’ death, and resurrection shows an active rebellion against the imperial powers of that day confirming the fact that Israel was brewing an active rebellion against Rome and looking for somebody to spearhead it.
I’m inclined to believe that the reason why the crowds then got so mad with him and called for his crucifixion was because he did not live up to their expectations and proceeded to rub salt into a sore spot with his teachings about giving to Caesar what belongs to him and tearing down the temple which was not only a worship venue, but a relic from a time when Israel was the dominant military and imperial force in the region.
Jesus was trying to help them understand that his kingdom was not of this world… and though a few eventually understood what he was talking about, he must have dashed the hopes of hundreds of people that were probably looking to rally behind him in an active revolt.
I’ve been through a period of self-examination and thinking about my role as a facilitator of an encounter with Jesus and have had to come to the realization that sometimes I create an impression about Jesus that is not entirely accurate. All too often I have stressed the fact that he is all powerful and all knowing – which he is and make no mistake about it – but I have neglected to put that message hand in hand with his own thoughts and teachings about taking up my cross and following him or being yoked with him… It may be an EASY yoke and a LIGHT burden, but it still is a yoke AND a burden. Following Jesus and living for him as an individual and as a community is no simple task!
It would be like describing one dear friend (lets call him Sam) that I would like another (who we shall call Russ) to meet and talking a lot about Sam all the while forgetting to mention his ethnicity or some other distinguishing characteristic. The most obvious outcome of the meeting that I would have tried to facilitate would be that Russ would absolutely not recognize Sam. Or perhaps Russ would be put off that I would forget to mention something about Sam especially if the characteristic could be construed as offensive. Or as a less drastic outcome of the meeting, it would be an awkward encounter in which Russ would be trying to verify whether Sam was who I really said he was.
In retrospect (and I may be wrong), I think that sometimes I have been trying to facilitate a meeting between people and Jesus and it is completely botched because I misrepresent him - Jesus. I’ve had to return to re-examining the things I say in order to build the expectation of the congregation as we gather on a weekly basis so that I am painting an accurate picture of the savior that rebukes, chastises, but also revives, loves and restores me. Jesus that challenges me to live in the world, but not controlled by the worlds systems, desires and inclinations. Jesus who DEMANDS my soul, my life, my all and who rejects the notion that I should come to him as a miracle and gift-giving dispensing machine.
My prayer is that moving forward, God would help me (and us) to paint a more accurate picture of who he is so that his people will recognize him, long for him and run to him.
-----------------------------
Psalm 97
1 The LORD reigns, let the earth be glad;
let the distant shores rejoice.
2 Clouds and thick darkness surround him;
righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
3 Fire goes before him
and consumes his foes on every side.
4 His lightning lights up the world;
the earth sees and trembles.
5 The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,
before the Lord of all the earth.
6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness,
and all the peoples see his glory.
7 All who worship images are put to shame,
those who boast in idols—
worship him, all you gods!
8 Zion hears and rejoices
and the villages of Judah are glad
because of your judgments, O LORD.
9 For you, O LORD, are the Most High over all the earth;
you are exalted far above all gods.
10 Let those who love the LORD hate evil,
for he guards the lives of his faithful ones
and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
11 Light is shed upon the righteous
and joy on the upright in heart.
12 Rejoice in the LORD, you who are righteous,
and praise his holy name.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
