Taking Boomer to football practice is turning out to be “Heavy Theology Time.” At the moment it's George MacDonald riding along, and yesterday one of his tangents struck me as if it were his main point.
We are to be like Jesus.
Sure. Fine. We're all taught that in Sunday School 101. One question:
Why?
Till yesterday I might have said (with spotless orthodoxy) “Because the Father wants us to,” or “Because He's the perfect example.” Ah. The second one furthers my argument. “The perfect example of what?” my hypothetical examiner should say. “Well...” I would stall, “of perfection!” Also true. But also wide of the mark.
As fallen human beings we should find it in our best interests to imitate Jesus because He is the perfect example of humanity. The only one! An artist may paint several perfect paintings in a lifetime. A chess player may play multiple perfect games. But there is only one human who has ever lived life perfectly.
We forget that this matters because we ascribe a greater degree of deity to Jesus than is accurate. “Being human was easy for Him because He was God!” Not true. It's not that He isn't all God— it's just that the all-God part is not “greater than” the all-Man part in this equation. Jesus is human. Do not qualify that statement. Our entire theology crumbles if we add even one, “Jesus was human, but...”
We must be like Jesus because He is the only one who can illustrate the proper response to any given situation: faced with the death of a loved one? Weep. Faced with a wedding? Celebrate! Faced with the huddled masses? Compassion. Demons? Get rid of them. Temptation? Quote scripture. Exhaustion? Sleep. Being sucked dry by those you minister to? Retreat to the hills for recharge time with the Father. Enemies? Love them, pray for them, speak truth to them, run away from them, drive them out with whips. Your Father asks something impossible? Thy will be done.
All of these are excruciatingly human situations. Hebrews 2:18 says, “For because He himself has suffered when tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted.” Birth, death, love, betrayal, hunger, cold, wine, song, unjust accusation, tradition, parents, siblings, laughter, weather, danger, friendships, work , travel, etc.....
The only difference is that He has handled all without sin. He is, in the flesh, what Adam should have remained.
Be like Jesus.
Be all you can be.
We are to be like Jesus.
Sure. Fine. We're all taught that in Sunday School 101. One question:
Why?
Till yesterday I might have said (with spotless orthodoxy) “Because the Father wants us to,” or “Because He's the perfect example.” Ah. The second one furthers my argument. “The perfect example of what?” my hypothetical examiner should say. “Well...” I would stall, “of perfection!” Also true. But also wide of the mark.
As fallen human beings we should find it in our best interests to imitate Jesus because He is the perfect example of humanity. The only one! An artist may paint several perfect paintings in a lifetime. A chess player may play multiple perfect games. But there is only one human who has ever lived life perfectly.
We forget that this matters because we ascribe a greater degree of deity to Jesus than is accurate. “Being human was easy for Him because He was God!” Not true. It's not that He isn't all God— it's just that the all-God part is not “greater than” the all-Man part in this equation. Jesus is human. Do not qualify that statement. Our entire theology crumbles if we add even one, “Jesus was human, but...”
We must be like Jesus because He is the only one who can illustrate the proper response to any given situation: faced with the death of a loved one? Weep. Faced with a wedding? Celebrate! Faced with the huddled masses? Compassion. Demons? Get rid of them. Temptation? Quote scripture. Exhaustion? Sleep. Being sucked dry by those you minister to? Retreat to the hills for recharge time with the Father. Enemies? Love them, pray for them, speak truth to them, run away from them, drive them out with whips. Your Father asks something impossible? Thy will be done.
All of these are excruciatingly human situations. Hebrews 2:18 says, “For because He himself has suffered when tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted.” Birth, death, love, betrayal, hunger, cold, wine, song, unjust accusation, tradition, parents, siblings, laughter, weather, danger, friendships, work , travel, etc.....
The only difference is that He has handled all without sin. He is, in the flesh, what Adam should have remained.
Be like Jesus.
Be all you can be.
3 comments:
Although I agree with what you've said, this is simply insane.
I have such a hard time with a lot of this concept. Why is it so hard to actually do these things? When I feel like grieving and crying I feel weak or guilty for not being stronger. Even though "Jesus Wept."
When I know I need to be humble and rest or ask someone for help, something in me screams with objection and becomes determined to plow through on my own. Even though Jesus spent many a time going to be alone and speaking with the father. Is it Stubborn Dutch blood and training? Does everyone share in this struggle? Or is it neither? What a thing to be chewing on.
this one is one of my favorites. it is not that Jesus had no need. rather he rested his burdens in the right place.
Such forthright textual scrutiny & unabashed honesty deserves to be read by at least 5 people . Jesus was human and Jesus was tempted. These thoughts demand a depth of consideration from we fellow humans that usually causes the mind to flee into a corner rather than consider the weight of what that really means. I applaud the honesty of 'stubborn Dutch blood' which called it as it seems 'simply insane'. Yet this is the heart and soul of the gospel, the same "unreasonable-ness" of the faith that C.S. Lewis described even after his conversion. The fact that Jesus was human and lived with the struggles we face "Yet without sin" shatters the mind, but oh how it comforts the heart! And why? Because for all we have been through and in all we shall ever face we have One who has been there before flowing through us & right by our side. If we think for a moment that we are alone, we ought to think again.
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