echoes of redemption

We’ve spent 2,000 years talking about all the things Jesus accomplished. Yet Jesus didn’t seem to define himself solely off what he did.

He broke away from the crowds and found silence.

He took naps.

He observed the Sabbath.

Jesus had a rhythm of rest that seemed to both drive the depth of who he was and give him the focus and energy to live the life that he lived.

So go live Jesus-ly.

Jesus was consistently upset with the people who had it all figured out.

In fact, one group struggled as a whole to follow. When you read through the gospels you quickly notice that religious people had the most trouble following Jesus.

One notable exception was Nicodemus. One of the leaders of the highly legalistic, self-proclaimed elitereligious group called the Pharisees.

He was intrigued enough to look into what following Jesus might mean.

He wasn’t offended by the way Jesus life demonstrated the freedom of grace.

He was open to the new ideas about life and faith.

But the most beautiful thing about Nicodemus was that he had trouble believing – and Jesus was drawn to that. He went deeper into conversation.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. – John 3:16-17

One of the most central statements in understanding God’s redemptive plan for the world was first spoken to a leading member of the group of religious people who opposed Jesus the most.

But what separated this leading member was that he was exploring his faith. Over and over you see Jesus drawn to the doubting, the seeking and those outcast by the systems of institutionalized religion.

Which makes it okay to have questions.

Safe to have doubts.

Fine not to fit in.

It’s when everything becomes uncompromisable, unquestionable blind truth that you should worry.

Because Jesus loves people who explore their faith.

We’ve been conditioned to view projects as priority and people as interruptions.

Because projects have deadlines and people can be dismissed until we have more time.

Because work is instantly gratifying and the benefits of relationships don’t come until later.

Jesus was radically personal.

While others saw people as interruptions, Jesus saw them as opportunities.

He engaged with them. Poured into them.

And their experiences with Jesus changed them forever.

So impacting people profoundly starts with viewing people as highly as Jesus viewed them. It is not a shift in action – because most of us know how to engage and love someone – it is a shift of worldview.