So many have a view of Jesus as a NICE MAN who just loved everybody.
Jesus did love - taught, commanded and modeled AGAPE Love - active commitment on behalf of the other, even enemy and stranger (Luke 10:25-37). That love does not always allow being nice. It DOES mean standing with and advocating "the least", the most vulnerable and those that society (and church) has judged, disenfranchised and marginalized. The gloves come off for that sometimes.
Jesus dispelled any thoughts of a prophet of God being like a "reed shaken by the wind", and He was just speaking about John, the one sent to usher in the Great Prophet, Jesus (Luke 7:24-35). Jesus then went on to compare that generation of God's people as spoiled, entitled brats who want what they want, and want the Prophets of God to give them what THEY want. That ain't happenin'. It wasn't then, and isn't now.
Jesus, the Prophet, lamented over the city of God, because they rejected His Good News and refused to embrace the Kingdom Values God wanted them to live (Matthew 23:37-39). This touching, tender and tragic sharing is the lament of a Prophet who came and gave, even embodied the message of God in New Covenant, but who was rejected and about to be killed like so many prophets before Him. The tragedy, though was not for Him, but rather for what it meant for them. Walking away from God's Good News, from God brings destruction of self. The corruption of the powerful and wealthy who refused to learn about Agape Love sharing in Radical Community, permeated the whole society, and the message of Jesus fell on deaf ears, even hostile ones. It would mean their own destruction, just as ignoring, rejecting or killing the prophets of old meant.
Jesus, the Prophet did not mince words. He warned of false prophets who would come with slick words and seeming innocence, but who would bear much different fruit. He warned His followers to discern the prophets by the FRUITS they bear (Matthew 7:15-19).
Jesus, the Prophet warned about future false prophets, too, who could do signs and wonders but who were none-the-less false because they did not tell the Truth of God. They lead astray because they lead away from Jesus' Good News of Humility, Self-Sacrifice, commitment to the other and acceptance of all people. They lead astray because they convince people that this faith is just about Worship, Praise and Tithes in order to get personal favor and blessings, when they have a Gospel of Jesus that teaches that this faith is about living Agape Love with "the least", the outcast, and even stranger and enemy (Mark 13:202-7).
Jesus, the Prophet warns of Religious Leaders who like to dress up in finery, take places of honor and make it all about power, position and wealth. These are the ones who fleece their flocks. They use pleasing language and appear to be pious, but theiy devour the most vulnerable for their own gain. Jesus declares as the Prophet of God that they will receive the greater condemnation (Luke 20:45-47).
Jesus, the Prophet warned the rich, the satisfied, the smugly happy and the well respected (Luke 6:24-26). Jesus the Prophet taught the karma of God's Kingdom regarding Judging and refusing to forgive, saying that what we give is what we will get (Luke 6:37,38). Jesus, the Prophet warned about bearing no fruit and bad fruit, pointing out the hypocrisy of giving outward signs of devotion and allegiance without actually following the Lord (Luke 6:43-49).
Jesus, the Prophet spoke WOE to the religious leaders (and their followers) who tithe but neglect doing what His Good News demands in justice and Agape Love, for always promoting their own position, saying that they look good on the outside but are DEAD inside to God (Luke 11:42-44).
Jesus, the Prophet spoke WOE to those who manipulate the law of God to benefit themselves and hurt others in a false authority, giving up true knowledge and keeping it from others, thus keeping them from knowing and living His Good News (Luke 11:45-52).
Jesus, the Prophet taught parables about The Rich Fool (Luke 12), the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16), the laborers in the vineyard (Matthew 20) and the Good Samaritan (Luke 10) to teach Kingdom Values to be lived in THIS PART of God's Kingdom, here and now.
Jesus, the Prophet taught the rich young man what it takes for the wealthy to be right with God, and what God values (Mark 10), and taught how the wealthy can repent of their hubris and value for wealth over people (Luke 19).
Jesus, the Prophet addressed the world with Kingdom Values in His Good News. He taught, commanded and modeled Agape Love as a WAY OF LIFE WITH GOD. Jesus did not sugar coat anything. Jesus showed great compassion and kindness with those who were marginalized, disenfranchised, exploited and abused by the powerful and wealthy. Jesus addressed the ones who created the plight of "the least of these", out of love for them and a desire that they repent - change their thinking and direction - so that they could turn and walk with God. Jesus, the Prophet told the Truth of God to God's people, and what it would take for them to live according to God's Will. That is what a Prophet does. Jesus, the Prophet was ignored, rejected and killed. That is what people do who want to live outward appearance, form and false piety without truly living what God wants, people who want salvation and other perks of claiming the name, without living the sacrifice taught, commanded and modeled by Jesus on behalf of "the other", which is Agape Love. Jesus shared HIS vision of the last day, when He would return. It was clear. There are a lot of folk who think that they are sheep (even prophesying, wonder working, demon casting sheep - Matthew 7:21-23) who will find that they are goats at the judgment because Jesus, the Prophet makes it all about how we live Agape Love with each other (feed the hungry, clothe the naked, care for the sick and imprisoned and welcome the resident alien in our land), and many church leaders, politicians and others in our nation have made it about power, wealth and personal favor and blessings.
Jesus is a Prophet - indeed, the Great Prophet.
God, while looking upon Moses and Elijah, the Law and Prophets, told the disciples of Jesus, "This is my Son, the Beloved, listen to HIM!". He is the voice of God. You can want Him as Savior, but you must also then receive Him as Lord of your life. And if you do, then you must hear Jesus say to you, "Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord', and do not do what I tell you?" (Luke 6:46).
I love Jesus. I love His gift of Redemption and Salvation. I love His Grace. I love His Agape Love and the Good News of what it means to LIVE THAT in THIS PART of God's Kingdom, here and now. I love Jesus, the Prophet. My whole life is about living what Jesus taught, commanded and modeled as faithful living with God. It is that simple. It is that hard.
Pastor Jamie
No comments:
Post a Comment