RMC #40 - What if God was one of us? Just a stranger on a bus.
RMC #40 - What if God was one of us? Just a stranger on a bus.
Do you ever think of Jesus as a man?
I can truthfully say I never did. What Jesus had to say to us was so perfect, it could only be God speaking through him, the God incarnate, brought to earth.
If he were human, how do you explain the miracles he performed? Oh and please ignore the fact that he sent out his disciples to teach and that they performed many miracles while they were on the road…
So can we mere men perform miracles?
I don’t know that anymore than I have seen profound changes in people once they believe. Is that the same thing?
So many questions…
What brought this on is a book I am finishing up by N.T. Wright called the “Challenge of Jesus”.
Reverend Smith gave me this book to read. He has been giving me ever more challenging readings. I asked for it actually.
What Wright does is approach Jesus historically. As in “What was Jesus like in 1st century Israel?” And for the first time in my readings he frames Jesus as a true human.
When you “see” Jesus, not as a God, but as human, how more real are his tears at Gethsemane? Think of the time you have approached your greatest fear. How deep did the hurt or shame engulf you? How deep were the tears? Did you ever feel like you were crying inside out, that the more you cried and anguished, the more you were being emptied.
Now… think of Jesus, as a man, knowing that all of his actions were bound to lead him to the worst of punishments from a society that knew all about “taking care” of malcontents and troublemakers. Jesus, the 1st century man, knew what was in store- scourging, whippings, deceit, spittings and being hung and left to die on the cross.
Could you do it, endure what Jesus was bound to endure, in the belief and the hope that what you were to do could change the world?
I wish I were that kind of man. Knowing me I know how far I am from that capability.
Jesus knew what he was trying to do as no human has ever known, He knew how much value his life would have in the future, to all of mankind. Jesus was to be all of the former prophets and messiahs come together in one God fulfilling moment.
Wright says in his book:
“In Jesus himself, I suggest, we see the biblical portrait of YHWH come to life: the loving God, rolling up his sleeves (Isaiah 52:10) to do in person the job that no one else could do: the creator God, giving new life; the God who works through his created world and supremely through his human creatures: the faithful God, dwelling in the midst of his people: the stern and tender God, relentlessly opposed to all destroys or distorts the good creation and especially human beings, but recklessly loving all those in need and distress. “He shall feed his flock like a shepherd; he shall carry the lambs in his arms: and gently lead those that are with young” (Isaiah 40:11). It is the Old Testament portrait of YHWH, but it fits Jesus like a glove”.
So if we follow what Wright is saying, how can we reflect God’s glory more than by believing in Jesus, the man, the risen man seated at the right hand of God. And now that we learn that Jesus may have been just like you and me, and that knowing that we can act even more closely like Jesus than we have ever believed.
We can change.
We can love more.
We can give more.
We can forgive more.
What if Jesus was one of us?
I know he is. I saw him one morning.
He was on crutches, dirty, and he was standing on a street corner with a cardboard sign asking for money.
I drove by in my nice new shiny car.
Something struck my heart as I drove by this man in my plenty. Why couldn’t I give something to help? The stop I had planned was rushed. I hurried back to his corner to make amends and give him whatever I could give.
And of course… he was gone. It had only been a few minutes, but he was gone.
We can change.
I haven’t driven by many corners since my encounter with Jesus without giving to the people there who are simply trying to survive in a world without enough love.
