Why...Jesus

    2015 is nearly upon us.  The beginning of a new year is often a time of reflection and self-assessment.  While I'm not in the habit of making resolutions, the new sermon series that we're doing at First Christian has caused me to think a little bit about why I do or believe certain things.  I thought I would reinvigorate this blog and try to commit to writing three or four times a month, beginning with a series of personal reflections on the question of why.  I begin today with the most basic why question; why Jesus Christ.      

     As I think about the question of why I'm a follower of Jesus Christ, the answer that reverberates through my mind is the simple retort, why not.  That's not a good answer, though, so I tried to go a bit deeper.  The starting point for why I choose Jesus is that he first chose me.  "We love because he first loved us" (1 John 4:19).  Paul writes, "Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes"(Ephesians 1:4).  I understand that God chose me.  I was not worthy of being chosen.  I had nothing to offer, but he chose me.  He chose to love me and to send his Son to die for me.  Do you remember what it's like to be chosen? I do.  Have you ever tried out for a team in middle or high school and then hoped that your name was on the list of kids who made it?  I've been on both sides of that.  When your name is there and you've been chosen, there's nothing more exciting.  When your name isn't there (after you've scanned the list three or four times), not much feels worse.  It thrills me to know that in spite of all of my shortcomings, God, through Jesus, chose me.  

     A second reason also comes to mind pretty quickly.  It is through Jesus Christ that I find purpose and meaning.  Paul writes in Ephesians 2 after noting we are saved by grace through faith that "we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago" (Ephesians 2:10).  Jesus Christ intends for us to use our lives for his purpose and kingdom's sake.  That inspires and challenges me.  I know that I may not always succeed, but all that I do, whether in "paid" ministry or in a "secular" job, can be for his glory and praise. How I teach; what I write; how I interact with people; all of these things, and hundreds more, can be ways in which I promote Jesus.  I don't have to wonder why I'm here or wish I was someplace else.  Wherever I am and whatever I'm doing, I still have purpose.  I am to bring him glory.     

     Another reason for why Jesus is that in him I find forgiveness, compassion and acceptance that is unequaled in any other relationship.  1 John 1:9 says, "But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness." I can be forgiven.  As the old hymn says, "Though my sins be as scarlet, they can be as white as snow."  I also know that Jesus understands where I'm at.  He knows how things are. "This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin" (Hebrews 4:15).  When I'm facing a tough time, a hard decision, temptation, betrayal, or just the "junk" that this life throws at people, I know Jesus understands.  He's faced it, too.   I also know that Jesus accepts me.  He invites me to come to him.  He said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28).  When others reject or when I feel alone, I know that I'm not.  I can always go to him.   

     I could go on and on about Why Jesus.   When I begin to really think about what Jesus means to me, there are more words and ideas than are appropriate for a blog post.  I hope, in this small way, you've been able to see Why Jesus  for me.  I want to end this with a challenge.  I'd ask all of you who've read this far to ask yourself the same question.  You might not need to write a post or an essay, but as this new year begins, Why Jesus.  How do you answer that question?  

     Thanks for reading.  Have a blessed day.  Next post:  Why the Bible.  

Random Thoughts about "Heaven is for Real"

     The movie Heaven is for Real opens tonight across the country.  I had the opportunity to attend a pre-release screening and enjoyed it very much.  While I think the book is better (that is normal for me), the movie does a wonderful job of capturing the essence and spirit of Colton and Todd Burpo's story.  The movie release has generated a lot of excitement around the country and our church, First Christian, is partnering with our local theater to promote the movie.  We are holding our Easter service at the high school football field and are beginning a three-week series on what the Bible says about heaven.  In our program book we are offering folks a coupon to see the movie at a discount rate.  I think it will be a positive for a lot of people in Franklin County.  I'm excited about the next few days and anticipating a really good Easter celebration. 

     Last night I saw a clip of the Burpo family on a news program and I had a bit of time before going to bed, so I read part of Heaven is for Real again.  I'm always touched reading it, but was especially struck this time by one of the later chapters.  In it, Colton continually tells Todd that Jesus loves children.  He really loves kids.  Todd Burpo remarked in the book that Colton's insistence on getting this message across changed the way they looked at children's ministry.  I thought about that quite a bit.  I'm in a different ministry now than I've been in before.  I'm doing quite a bit of children's and family ministry, more than I've ever specifically done in the past.  Most of my time is spent in planning events, recruiting and motivating staff, and preparing lessons. I'm usually focusing on the "big picture."  However, last Sunday, I filled in as the 9:00 Kindergarten teacher.  It was a rewarding and great time. I was reminded of what Jesus said as recorded in Matthew 19:14, "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." 

     Jesus never saw children as a distraction or an annoyance.  He didn't view them as "future people." He accepted them as they were, loved them and announced "the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."  What did he mean by that?   Commentaries are full of ideas and suggestions and I've tossed in a few thoughts of my own in a sermon or two. 

     A few ideas did occur to me last night.  I don't think he was talking about the "100% goodness of children," because as any parent or teacher can tell you, they aren't 100% good all of the time.  Sometimes they are selfish.  Sometimes they are demanding.  Sometimes they're naughty.  I don't think Jesus was alluding to their inherent goodness.  I also don't think he was alluding to their trusting nature, though I can see where part of that might come in.  Lots of kids do tend to trust instinctively, but I've also noticed, more recently, that kids are maybe less trusting than before (that may have to do with the adults in their lives, but that's another post for another day). 

     So, what is it then?  After re-reading the book, and specifically that chapter, I've concluded that Jesus meant the honest and direct way that kids may look at the world. Those who come to Jesus and simply believe him for who he is, accept his claims, receive his love and follow him are the ones that inherit the kingdom of heaven.

     Why share this today?   I suppose first I want to plug this movie, but deeper than that, I want people to think about Jesus and heaven.  I have questions and I wonder, occasionally, what it will be like and what will we do.  I think it is good, sometimes, to ponder these questions.  The old adage still applies, which says "Don't be so heavenly minded you're no earthly good."  I get that, but I think it's natural and maybe even encouraging to think about what's next.   I also want to put out there a reminder to parents, grandparents and all who work with children.  What you do matters.  Jesus loves children.  Don't forget that.  Maybe this Easter, in the middle of all that you've got going, spend a little time ministering to or caring about a kid.  Talk with them.  Love them.  I think Jesus would like that and so will you. 

     Thank you for reading and have a blessed Easter day celebrating our risen King!

Forgetting a Part of the Journey

     Harry Truman once said, “Washington is a very easy place to forget where you came from and why you got there in the first place.”  Even sixty years later, there’s a lot of truth in that statement.  Politicians today, once exposed to the culture of the capital, can forget where their journey began and just why they came.  This is unfortunate in politics and often leads to a short career as a public servant.  Lately, though, I’ve noticed this tendency, not just in politics, but with Christians.  

     As part of the new ministry I now have, I try to keep up with what’s going on with young parents, children and millennials in general.  To do so, among other things, I read a lot of blogs, posts and articles.  In my reading recently I’ve noticed a trend.  A lot of people, when describing their Christian walk, describe their journey as one in which the church of their childhood was narrow, judgmental, superficial and harsh.  They often detail how they now have a better, broader and more Christ-like view than that they had when they were younger.  

     Before I incur the wrath of several, let me clarify some things.  First, not all people describe their walk this way.  Second, some folks really were victims of “friendly fire” in churches.  Third, there is a lot right with growing, developing and maturing in Christ.  Frankly, we ought to be in a better place spiritually today than we were yesterday.  What bothers me, though, about this trend is that I think it inadvertently slams some well-meaning Godly folks and tends to create a “spiritually arrogant” mindset that believes the church was never what she was intended to be until we got here.  Though I don’t want to get political, I think it is seen in the somewhat narcissistic phrase President Obama promoted at his first election when he said, “We are the change we’ve been waiting for.” 

     I don’t want to be the old cranky guy in the back row of the church, but I want to challenge people today.  I’m excited as quite a few folks are seriously considering spiritual things.  There’s a lot of discussion about what it means to be a “Jesus follower.”  Your relationship with Jesus is personal and all of us have walked a different road and have different backgrounds or stories.  As you think of your journey or your story, don’t just remember the mistakes made by the church of your past.  We’ve all got that.  No church has ever been perfect.  Do something new or fresh.  What’s that?   Remember the Sunday School teacher who taught you “Jesus Loves Me.”  Remember the youth worker who spent time with you when he didn’t have to do it.  Remember the old guy who seemed to always have a stick of gum for the kids.  None of us is where we are in our walk with the Lord without the assistance of someone else.  I think that’s important to acknowledge.  It might even be important enough to send a message to an old Sunday School teacher, minister or VBS leader. 

     “Don’t forget where you came from” is pretty sound advice.  Do something about that today.  Send the email, the note or the letter.  Thanks for reading.