Jesus Talk

From my friend Phil:

This morning, as I sit in the coffee shop in Lehi, UT, just a day after the Heaven on Earth Festival, I find myself pondering the questions that lead me to the waters of Life, specifically Jesus of Nazareth.

Last night, I spent time with Scott and Natalie Paul. We discussed many things, but my favorite topic was, of course, Jesus of Nazareth. Those who are outside of faith in Jesus Christ are often bewildered by my understanding of the differences between Jesus of Nazareth and their childhood ideas and hand-me-down beliefs about the Christian Jesus, or in the Pauls’ case, the Mormon Jesus.

These thoughts always seem to come up, and I’d like to list them so that I can personally grow and be reminded that where we start really does matter:

Jesus NEVER:

   •    Makes anyone say they’re sorry for their sins before He forgives them.
   •    Makes anyone convert to a religion, or even offers the thought or idea of a conversion experience.
   •    Makes anyone be clean before He will touch them.
   •    Makes anyone pray the sinner’s prayer.
   •    Makes anyone denounce their current religion to be accepted as His follower.
   •    Does all that He can possibly do.

On the other hand, Jesus ALWAYS:

   •    Meets people in their pain and suffering with no judgment.
   •    Challenges the religious elites to change their thinking.
   •    Offers compassion to those who are far off and far out.
   •    Gives the benefit of the doubt that the sick can be made well.
   •    Extends mercy and forgiveness to those who are willing to repent and change their thinking.
   •    Does what His Father in Heaven is doing.

Where have we gone wrong in this world of religious competition? How has the world become so divided that we cannot rebuild a Kingdom here on earth as it is in heaven? The very things that we are invited to do by God—to pray and live in unity, to pray and live at peace, to pray and offer mercy—these things seem so foreign in the world that exists today. For many of us, it’s a puzzle that we cannot understand. It seems too lofty an idea to extend a helping hand to the poor, to forgive the neighbor’s trespassing, or to offer hope to those who will not receive our friendship. This will NOT come to an end, so where do we go for our own personal hope? If I have been called to bring light into a dark world, where do I begin? What chasm, what cave? What living Hell do I pounce on with the light of grace, and love of Jesus?

The problem is in the question itself. The real question we should be offering to ourselves is “what does it mean to be a light? How do I live as a light in a dark and dying world?” Seeing the darkness and gauging its depth is not the goal; judgment is the only safety I can feel in a world where I am the light, and YOU are not. Where we start matters. In fact, how I view the answer to this question will actually define my understanding of the Gospel Himself. I am not the solution, I am not the darkness hunter, looking for a way to devour and save all who dwell in its shadows. I am a light, simple and true.

The question again: If I have been called to bring light into a dark world, where do I begin? What chasm, what cave? What living Hell do I pounce on with the light of grace and love of Jesus?

I begin by being who the Lord Himself says that I am. I begin by being ‘alight’ with the Love and Mercy of Jesus.

I begin by changing ME if I want to see a change in YOU.

“You are the light of the world, a city set on a hill cannot be hidden, and no one takes a light and puts a basket over its head… that would block its light. Instead, you place the light on a stand, tall and proud so that all who see it will be led by its glow.”

The light itself is not the answer, but the light’s position and purpose is its goal. Light the room, light the path, light the way. And all of this is natural. Jesus did not say that if we follow Him, or if we are a Christian, or if we don’t do wrong, we will BECOME a light. He said, “YOU ARE the light for the world.” So if this is true, I should begin by BEING, not DOING.

Jesus: Be the light, be the salt.
Doug: Be a garden, be a fountain.

___

Thanks for the writing, Brother Phil.

Happy Sunday and 4:20

Here is what the new Venice.ai thinks Mormon missionaries look like.