Back in the Saddle Again...
I decided it was time to try this blogging thing again, as I finally have some thoughts to write about. I have began rereading Philip Yancey's The Jesus I Never Knew, and once again it is causing me to think about Jesus from a whole new perspective.
Today I read the chapter describing the Christmas story as it actually happened, which runs completely counter to our popular Western opinion of the story. Jesus birth was not the pleasant, happy event depicted on Christmas cards and in most churches during the holiday season. Jesus was born into a world of constant turmoil and strife; conditions under the tyrant Herod were likely comparable to those in Stalin's Russia. Not only was this a tough time to be a Jew historically, but on a more personal level Jesus was born in disgrace. Not only would the close-knit Jewish community have shunned Joseph and Mary for having a seemingly illegitimate child, but Jesus would have been rejected as well. Jesus entered our world through the humblest of births. Yancey writes that this was the first time in history that humble was ever conveyed as a trait of deity.
All of this got me to thinking. It is widely known that Jesus was and is a 'friend of sinners', but I believe we too often attribute this solely as an act of compassion for His fallen creation. While the truth of this statement is undisputed, I believe there is much more too it. I believe that a big reason Jesus chose to associate with the downtrodden and outcast in society was because He was one of them (not in the sense of being a sinner, however). Because of this maybe Jesus simply felt more comfortable around the down and out. Shame and disgrace were all too familiar to Him long before the cross, a fact I think we all too often forget. From an earthly perpective, most of us in Canada are born a couple steps ahead of Jesus, brom a economic and societal perspective. Our culture is far removed from that of first-century Israel.
Yancey quotes Malcolm Muggeridge when he writes, "It is...extremely improbably, under existing conditions, that Jesus would have been permitted to be born at all. Mary's pregnancy, in poor circumstances, and with the father unknown, would have been an obvious case for an abortion; and her talk of having conceived as a result of the intervention of the Holy Spirit would have pointed to the need for psychiatric treatment, and made the case for terminating her pregnancy even stronger. Thus our generation, needing a Savior more, perhaps, than any that has ever existed, would be too humane to allow one to be born."
At this point it is getting late and my thoughts aren't as clear as I'd like, but I shall attempt to tie this all together as best I can. Based on our relative wealth and life of ease, it is difficult, if not impossible, to fully comprehend the love it took for God to humble Himself to such an extent, becoming fully human. I imagine it to be somewhat like the potter taking on the form of one of his pots. Such a humbling I cannot imagine.
However, our inability to comprehend something does not give us the right to remain passive and inactive. Jesus' mission to the downtrodden has been passed down to us and continues today. Simply giving money to charities, homeless shelters, etc. often is simply not enough. Affecting life change in others requires complete submission, not simply the submission of tithes and gifts. Money cannot sit and listen to a person's life story, nor can it offer up prayers on the behalf of others. Jesus Himself said that to those whom much has been given, much will be demanded. I don't believe He was referring strictly to monetary matters. The life of the Christian is a life of service, following Christ's example. Which poses the question: Who are you a servant to through the love of Christ? Coworkers? Family? Friends? Your enemies? That beggar on the street corner? If your answer is one or a couple of those groups listed, it is not good enough. Jesus calls us to be a servant to ALL.
Hopefully this all kind of makes sense, and is more than just my late night ramblings.
Today I read the chapter describing the Christmas story as it actually happened, which runs completely counter to our popular Western opinion of the story. Jesus birth was not the pleasant, happy event depicted on Christmas cards and in most churches during the holiday season. Jesus was born into a world of constant turmoil and strife; conditions under the tyrant Herod were likely comparable to those in Stalin's Russia. Not only was this a tough time to be a Jew historically, but on a more personal level Jesus was born in disgrace. Not only would the close-knit Jewish community have shunned Joseph and Mary for having a seemingly illegitimate child, but Jesus would have been rejected as well. Jesus entered our world through the humblest of births. Yancey writes that this was the first time in history that humble was ever conveyed as a trait of deity.
All of this got me to thinking. It is widely known that Jesus was and is a 'friend of sinners', but I believe we too often attribute this solely as an act of compassion for His fallen creation. While the truth of this statement is undisputed, I believe there is much more too it. I believe that a big reason Jesus chose to associate with the downtrodden and outcast in society was because He was one of them (not in the sense of being a sinner, however). Because of this maybe Jesus simply felt more comfortable around the down and out. Shame and disgrace were all too familiar to Him long before the cross, a fact I think we all too often forget. From an earthly perpective, most of us in Canada are born a couple steps ahead of Jesus, brom a economic and societal perspective. Our culture is far removed from that of first-century Israel.
Yancey quotes Malcolm Muggeridge when he writes, "It is...extremely improbably, under existing conditions, that Jesus would have been permitted to be born at all. Mary's pregnancy, in poor circumstances, and with the father unknown, would have been an obvious case for an abortion; and her talk of having conceived as a result of the intervention of the Holy Spirit would have pointed to the need for psychiatric treatment, and made the case for terminating her pregnancy even stronger. Thus our generation, needing a Savior more, perhaps, than any that has ever existed, would be too humane to allow one to be born."
At this point it is getting late and my thoughts aren't as clear as I'd like, but I shall attempt to tie this all together as best I can. Based on our relative wealth and life of ease, it is difficult, if not impossible, to fully comprehend the love it took for God to humble Himself to such an extent, becoming fully human. I imagine it to be somewhat like the potter taking on the form of one of his pots. Such a humbling I cannot imagine.
However, our inability to comprehend something does not give us the right to remain passive and inactive. Jesus' mission to the downtrodden has been passed down to us and continues today. Simply giving money to charities, homeless shelters, etc. often is simply not enough. Affecting life change in others requires complete submission, not simply the submission of tithes and gifts. Money cannot sit and listen to a person's life story, nor can it offer up prayers on the behalf of others. Jesus Himself said that to those whom much has been given, much will be demanded. I don't believe He was referring strictly to monetary matters. The life of the Christian is a life of service, following Christ's example. Which poses the question: Who are you a servant to through the love of Christ? Coworkers? Family? Friends? Your enemies? That beggar on the street corner? If your answer is one or a couple of those groups listed, it is not good enough. Jesus calls us to be a servant to ALL.
Hopefully this all kind of makes sense, and is more than just my late night ramblings.
posted by Bassmaster Fehr @ 12:11 a.m.
2 Comments:
At July 06, 2007 9:47 p.m.,
shinbone #4 said…
it does... and thank you!
At July 07, 2007 12:52 p.m.,
drakefarmer said…
This was amazing Tyler! I would have never guessed you were tired. Thank you for this entry. Something that needs to heard. Thank for this teaching and your wisdom.
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