Today’s Lectionary Readings: Psalm 69:1-36; Zechariah 3:1-10; Luke 23:1-12; Romans 11:7-12
If you were to ask most folks on the street to give a one word description of Christianity, I wonder what word they would use. Given Christianity’s treatment in the media, I suppose some of the descriptions would include things like “divisive”, “judgmental”, or even perhaps “self-righteous”. Of course, none of these descriptors are words that capture the true essence of Jesus. So what other words could be used to describe Jesus and his followers? Well, today’s reading from the Gospel of Luke provides a word that’s hidden in the accusations against Jesus by the assembly. That word? “Subversive” (actually, “subverting” in the NIV translation of Luke 23:2). That word got me to thinking about how much our reputation as followers of Jesus has changed over the last two millennia. While Jesus words often were subversive to the status quo, all too often Jesus’ words today have been tamed by the institutional church which has re-made Jesus into the poster boy for the status quo. Today, I ask you to consider the affect encountering this Jesus has had on you. Has it made you a poster girl/boy for the status quo, or are there whispers that you – a follower of this Jesus – just might be subverting the status quo as well? If so, you are in good company! Til next time…
If you were to ask most folks on the street to give a one word description of Christianity, I wonder what word they would use. Given Christianity’s treatment in the media, I suppose some of the descriptions would include things like “divisive”, “judgmental”, or even perhaps “self-righteous”. Of course, none of these descriptors are words that capture the true essence of Jesus. So what other words could be used to describe Jesus and his followers? Well, today’s reading from the Gospel of Luke provides a word that’s hidden in the accusations against Jesus by the assembly. That word? “Subversive” (actually, “subverting” in the NIV translation of Luke 23:2). That word got me to thinking about how much our reputation as followers of Jesus has changed over the last two millennia. While Jesus words often were subversive to the status quo, all too often Jesus’ words today have been tamed by the institutional church which has re-made Jesus into the poster boy for the status quo. Today, I ask you to consider the affect encountering this Jesus has had on you. Has it made you a poster girl/boy for the status quo, or are there whispers that you – a follower of this Jesus – just might be subverting the status quo as well? If so, you are in good company! Til next time…
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