I was just another believer… I had become a believer but
I had no idea what it means to be a follower
Shane
Claiborne
__________________________
Jesus is a problem
Forget the images we have fabricated
of this lily-white dude wandering around
dusty rural roads in lily-white roads
this Jesus who oozed love and patted children on the head
and made everyone feel
better
forget the Jesus most of us are introduced to in church
so socially acceptable and safe
so conforming
mysteriously
to the culture we live in
that Jesus who blesses our 401k
and provides us with a ticket to heaven
for no charge at all
I suspect that Jesus is not comfortable or safe at all
think about it!
that scruffy brown dude covered with dust
that fiery teacher who told those who listened
that they would have to turn their entire lives
upside down
that weird soul who ate with sinners
used spit and mud to heal the blind
that one who suggested that if you wanted to be great
you had to be the least
and if you wanted to live
you had to die
and said that the blessed were not the rich and powerful
but the poor and mournful
what does it mean to follow such a Messiah?
it is likely to wreck one’s life!
one will have to leave the old behind
and move on to what is fresh and new
and difficult
loving enemies
giving away our goodies
forgiving those who have hurt us
welcoming those we fear and misunderstand
fighting for justice
telling the truth
demanding the truth
it is easy to say Jesus is Lord
it is easy to spout a creed
it is not so easy to follow
but on the shore of Galilee
Jesus didn’t say “believe”
he said “follow”
and he says it still
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