Matthew 16:
24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save their life [f] will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for you to gain the whole world, yet forfeit your soul? Or what can you give in exchange for your soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward everyone according to what they have done.
As I consider the process we call life it causes me to consider the life of the “Author of Life”- Jesus. What was the attraction? Back in the day He was like a rock star! People always had a strong reaction to Jesus! There were no in between feelings about Christ. People either loved or hated Him! They bowed to worship or vowed to kill! Jesus was making music all right! He had a band called “The disciples” who were a real motley crew! His lyrics evoked much passion. I loved how thought provoking and insightful they were. In fact, His lyrics are still being read by millions today! Boy, He could sure tell a story that would rock your world!
His songs were not popular with the religious leaders of the day… so much so.. that they killed Him! Take the above verses for instance.. Denying self and laying down the control of your life are not very popular topics, not now or back then! Loosing your life to find it! Come on, what are you smoking? Am I not supposed to go for the gold and get all I can? You know the saying, “He who has the most wins!” To truly be happy I must have it all right? Money, fame and power! “Now, that’s what I am talking about!”
Can’t we have our soul and the money, fame and power? Have our cake and eat it too? God wants me to be happy…. right? You know, that prosperity gospel thing! Isn’t this Jesus my personal “spiritual consierge”, waiting on my every whim?
John 16:33 (New International Version)
33″I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
“What is that you say? I am going to have trouble?! Wrong answer dude! So let me get this straight… you want me to lay down my life in exchange for trouble?! Does not sound like a win-win situation to me! I thought you were God and could give me anything! And you are offering me trouble! You have got to be kidding! Forget that, your plan is not very appealing…. I have a better way…. thanks though… I appreciate the offer.”
And we live our lives… like we are in control….and think that if we just work harder, smarter and longer… that we can avoid this trouble that Jesus speaks of…. after all, what does He know… He is just a carpenter from Nazareth! Right?
And so, we live our lives thinking we have “all the answers” or at least posing like we do! “Only the strong survive!” That’s our motto! And then, to our surprise, “life happens” and we wonder where we went wrong! “How could this, you fill in the blank, happen to me?” “Man, this is not what I bargained for!” I did all the right things…gave at the office…served in Church…was a good husband and father etc…”
I know there are many “Christians” who have lived like this to some extent. If you are honest with yourself you may be one of them. I know I was to some extent.
When some really bad things started happening to me… I struggled to find answers… my faith was tested to the core… doubts flooded my heart and mind….If God loves me like He says He does then… WHY? Why would He allow such stuff to happen to me… one of His kids? I had bought some of Satan’s lies! Me, the strong, commited Christian was pierced through by the enemy, laying wounded and lost. Hope was lost…for the first time… I had lost hope.. and boy was Satan and his minions happy. I can just hear them saying, “one more Christian disabled, doubting Gods love”.
Now, Back to the title… Jesus… the fatal attraction… Why did He draw so much attention… Why was He so attractive to so many? What was it about this carpenters son that was so appealing….that His followers even died for?
Genesis 1:27 (New International Version)
27 So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.
I believe that people were attracted to Jesus because He reflected the image of God! Not man made images but the true image- untainted and unspoiled by sin. Why did the religous leaders want to kill Him? Because, He shattered the “image” that they were selling the people. They were “found out” like someone selling a “bag of goods” is exposed. When someone’s livelihood or power-base is threatened they come out swinging..right? Or, when someone’s way of living or doing things is challenged… they don’t take it laying down… right?
So, where am I going with this? Well… here we go..ever since the fall, I believe, since we were created in the image of God…we have a longing to connect with the divine. And we humans, wanting to do it on our terms, have found an abundance of ways to do this! Filling the God/Divine shaped space in our souls with…………… you name it! I don’t care if you are a Christian or not. We are all guilty of doing this to some extent and frequency.
So, I beieve the trouble Jesus was speaking of is due to the fall. That’s not anything new in Christian circles. But, many of us who claim the name of Christ fail to expect the trials and understand their importance and purpose in our lives. Unfortunately, due to human nature, we would never reflect God’s image if trials were not a part of our lives. God, in His love and awesomeness, uses trials to remove the “dross” from our lives so we can, like Jesus, reflect His image.
I have heard so many people say to me, “I am not a Christ follower because Christians are hipocrits! Basically, what that means to me is that to verying degrees, we have failed as believers to reflect Jesus’ attractiveness to a lost and dying world. Our sin of “double agent” living is not very attractive! Until we seek Him first and give up our self directed living we will not be attractive. And in the end… it is Christ’s love reflected in our lives that will attract people to Jesus. “Christ in us, the hope of glory”.
John the Baptist knew what he was talking about; John 3:30 -He must become greater; I must become less.
Thank-you Lord, for being so patient and loving.. for pursuing me… for working “all things” together for good! for promising me a future and a hope.. for giving me life. Love, your son… Jon
