Why Jesus?
Good Morning Friends,
Maybe you like I have been dancing in the mystery of Christ for a while. Some of the dance has been a pursuit of God and part of the dance…perhaps the best part… is God’s pursuit of us. In the dance, we seek to understand why we believe what we believe and maybe even consider that a belief in God without Jesus is enough. Then at some level we recognize that the logic of Christ as an intermediary is remarkable. It is remarkable because it is our nature and moreover a need of human beings to encounter the Holy Spirit as we internalize the life, death and resurrection of Jesus so we might experience the Father. So today we ask and invite the skeptical ones to the benefits that go beyond teaching even as we ask. Why Jesus?
Scripture: “You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled underfoot. “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:13-20 (NRSV)
Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
John 14:5-9 (NRSV)
But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.” So, he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight.
Luke 24:29-31 (NRSV)
As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in him,
Colossians 2:6 (NRSV)
Message: Friends, perhaps you are intrigued with what you have heard about Jesus Christ. Or you might have had the funny feeling that God wants to get your attention. Or maybe you are simply looking for meaning and direction in your life. We all wrestle with questions but today’s is more important than most. It gets to the heart of why we are Christians. If we take an honest look at Jesus, we will discover that following him gives us the purpose, identity and freedom we have been searching for–and far more than we had ever imagined. The reality is that the only way to the Father is through the Son. And the way to the Son is through a community of believers sharing experience of Scripture and the Eucharist in the Holy Spirit. So, take and eat these words and internalize the gift of love for the whole world. For when you do become as salt and light your eyes will be opened and you will know why Jesus.
Pray we realize that we need Jesus to carry out a mission in us and that the life and Spirit of Jesus is full of mission opportunities for us if we follow. Pray we find meaning and purpose in being a Christian. Pray we realize that if we want to know the will of God for our lives we need to live our lives in Him. Pray we practice looking to Jesus for grace in every circumstance of life. Pray we focus our thoughts on Jesus Christ: what He has done, what He is doing now, and what He will do for us. Pray we take a risk by depending completely on Him, obeying His commands, and putting His teaching into practice. Pray that we follow God’s priorities and are courageous, humble, mature and loving. Pray we meditate on the Word of God to achieve His success and prosperity as a reflection of Christ…Pray we be as salt and light to the world. Pray we realize that Jesus will empower those who follow to do the work set before us. Pray we realize that Christ’s resilience can be ours when we take and eat and internalize the purpose of Jesus.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 