Maybe it’s just me. When I was taught the stories and sayings of Jesus as a youth, I really believed that Jesus meant what he said. And I believed that as much as was within our power we should strive to do likewise.
Then I came across people calling themselves Christian who seemed to have such a smaller view of Jesus. Judging by words and actions, they seemed to have a smaller version of Jesus. It’s like they whittled him down to make an easier to understand, less demanding version. In the end, following Jesus became doing what we really wanted to do anyway.
We must cultivate the humility to step outside our own opinions and desires and learn from what Jesus actually said and did.
When he told us to love our neighbor (and gave the example of the “Good Samaritan”), and when he told us to pray for our enemies, we must set aside our prejudices and do exactly that.
When have you (or I) reached out beyond our generation or race or cultural state and helped someone different or prayed for someone outside our circle of comfort? Yes, you “liberal”, pray for the “white supremacist.” And you white supremacist pray for someone with a different color of skin. Pray for that outcast. Pray for the person possessing great wealth.
Jesus is big. Let’s treat him as such.
Gary Mintchell
Faith Venture 