So why was Jesus so popular? In chapter one people flooded the house where he was, searched for him early in the morning and followed him in such numbers that he could not enter towns. Chapter two begins with the crowd overflowing from the house into the street. When they could not reach him, people dug through the roof to see him.
So why do so many church buildings sit vacant today? Why are so many people angry with Christians? Gandhi once said "I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. They are so unlike your Christ."
Ouch but amen at the same time. People flocked to Jesus or tried to kill him. He had a polarizing effect. That is not a description of most North American Christians. I wonder how he feels about the phenomenon?
Why are we not comfortable being polarizing agents in society? I have to ask myself if it Jesus that we really want to be like or something / someone else?
Showing posts with label popular. Show all posts
Showing posts with label popular. Show all posts
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Monday, February 8, 2010
Luke 22:41-47; Popular
I wonder how this would have sounded if Jesus had spoken it today. Maybe this is close.
"Beware of anyone using religion for popularity. Avoid those who speak of God simply to get fame or attention. Those who use religion to cloak pride will one day pay for it."
It was a slap to his enemies, i.e., the religious leaders of Jerusalem, but it rings down through the ages as a warning to us. We are drawn to those who have strong personalities and those with strong personalities are drawn to the limelight. He warns against both tendencies.
"Beware of anyone using religion for popularity. Avoid those who speak of God simply to get fame or attention. Those who use religion to cloak pride will one day pay for it."
It was a slap to his enemies, i.e., the religious leaders of Jerusalem, but it rings down through the ages as a warning to us. We are drawn to those who have strong personalities and those with strong personalities are drawn to the limelight. He warns against both tendencies.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Luke 22:27-40; The Next Age
Jesus sounds very out of sync with today's religious norm . . . of course, he was out of sync with theirs also. It is so against the norm today to believe that someone might not make it to heaven and live in the next age. We have a belief that if God is good then he gives everyone a free pass through the pearly gates. That impression did not come from listening to Jesus.
"But those who are considered worthy of taking part in that age . . ." Jesus makes no qualms about the fact that there will be some form of judgment. Some will be considered worthy while others will not. We will all be held accountable to some form of evaluation at the end of this age.
Being out of sync with the religious beliefs around him did not seem to bother Jesus. He was not changed by popularity or a need to conform. It makes me question how many of my beliefs come from conformity to popular thought and how many come from listening directly to him?
"But those who are considered worthy of taking part in that age . . ." Jesus makes no qualms about the fact that there will be some form of judgment. Some will be considered worthy while others will not. We will all be held accountable to some form of evaluation at the end of this age.
Being out of sync with the religious beliefs around him did not seem to bother Jesus. He was not changed by popularity or a need to conform. It makes me question how many of my beliefs come from conformity to popular thought and how many come from listening directly to him?
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