April 26, 2020
Dear Grandchildren:
Last month I talked about how following Jesus Christ as the most important factor in growing as a Christian. Many people in the church today call themselves Christians, and they say things like, “I believe in Jesus,” or “I love Jesus.” But the real questions are:
- Do you trust him?
- Do you trust him with your problems?
- Do you trust him with your money?
- Who do you go to first when you have a problem?”
Most folks think of Jesus as a man who started that Christianity religion. But it turns out, he wasn’t just a man and he wasn’t interested in religion.
Jesus’s first thirty years or so, were spent as a carpenter. Then, after being baptized by his hairy cousin John, Jesus started his ministry. His neighbors and family were shocked. Large crowds sought him out. And the ruling leaders of religion especially were dumbfounded and panicked. He was like nothing anyone had ever seen.
Jesus spent most of those three years walking amongst the people. He invited folk to become his intimate followers. Everywhere he went, great crowds gathered to listen to him, to be with him, to see what he would do next.
As Jesus traveled, he stopped, looked beggars in the eyes, touched lepers, and brought dignity to the helpless and lonely. Jesus condemned the injustices of the powerful and affirmed the simple true faith of the poor. As Jesus led his twelve closest followers, they’d walk along the dirt roads together, they ate meals together, and they worked together. Jesus walked as a human among humans.
He taught and his favorite topic was the kingdom of God. But Jesus wasn’t like other teachers of his day. He spoke in the language of parables and stories using crystal-clear metaphors describing what the kingdom was like. He spoke about seeds. Sheeps and branches. Innocent stories laced with razor-sharp truth.
Jesus’s simple words seemed to find their way permanently into people’s souls. His truth upset some and gave peace to others. The debaters of the day soon stopped trying to trick Jesus. He wouldn’t play their games.
People in great crowds pressed to get close enough to hear his words, and they were left standing either indignant or thoughtfully silent when he finished. He taught like no one ever had.
Grandchildren, I hope you can see what I’m trying to present. Being a follower of Jesus back when Jesus walked those dirty roads was simple. It was about following him. It was having an intimate relationship with him. Christianity is always challenging us to first follow Jesus and to trust him in every area of our life.
Today, that’s what Grandma and I are trying to do. Yes, we believe in Christianity and we believe in Christ’s church, but our first responsibility is to follow him.
Until next month,
I love you,
Grandpa