Have your Assumptions about the world ever been Upended?
That, my friend, is what the life & calling of Jesus should do.
It should “upend” your assumptions about the world. The story of Jesus should push you to see the world differently—because surely Jesus did. It should push you to interact in the world differently—which historical records let us know that Jesus did. It should push you to experience faith & hope in a different way—which we read that Jesus advocated for. It should push you to interpret the future differently (interpret in a way that asks where God’s love is breaking through, not in a “making predictions about the end of the world” kind of way—yuck)—which was the same future that pulled Jesus towards the Cross and Resurrection.
Take this man that Jesus talks to:
Man: Good Teacher (Jesus), what must I do to inherit eternal life?
Jesus: Why do you call me good? No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: “Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.”
Man: Teacher, all these things I’ve kept since I was a boy!
Jesus: (with love, according to the author) One thing you’re missing. Go, sell everything you have, and give it to the poor. Then come, follow me.
(The man walks away sad, because he was wealthy & unwilling.)
Assumptions. Upended. See?
Jesus enters his story, then he obliterates everything the man thinks and knows about eternal life, righteousness, and religion.
Eternal life? That starts now. You can’t buy or earn it. It’s slowly breaking into reality and reaching for you. Will you reach back?
Righteousness? You’ve earned nothing. God is good, and only because God is good can it even be a thought on your mind. The only thing possible for you to do is surrender. Ready?
Religion? I am religion. I am the way. Everything that’s not a conduit for the love of God is a hindrance to the love of God. Don’t you see that your faith is in your money (in yourself)?
The man gave Jesus an inch, and he lovingly took a mile.
This is often how God works with us. If you open yourself up, be prepared. God will provide. But odds are that “providence” will look nothing like you expect.
The man learned from Jesus a valuable lesson: God’s providence can often mean less, not more. Your value, your life, upended. Let’s go.
I'm a runner, writer, thinker, and pastor. I love to agitate people's consciences. I like to spend my time reading, running, and relaxing with family & friends.