Sometimes people include Jesus in a list of famous world figures by calling Him “one of the great religious teachers.” And let’s be honest, it’s a good thing He’s not simply a religious teacher, because if that’s all He was, He’d be a terrible teacher. You see, when you look at the teachings of Jesus, they’re impossible. No one could ever live them out and no one ever has. If the life of Jesus were only presented to us as a model or example to follow and live by, then the life of Jesus would have been a colossal failure. Here’s the thing: Jesus wasn’t just a great religious teacher and His life was not about simply giving us an example to live by. On the night Jesus was betrayed He told His guys that He wasn’t just a teacher or example, but the very fuel that makes life possible. He said He wasn’t just asking them to follow some principles, but that He was actually going to be connected to everyone who knew Him in such a real and intimate way that He would actually be the power behind their life. Jesus said that He is not only showing us what life ought to be like, but He wants His very life to flow through ours. He said, “I am the Vine; you are the branches.” In other words, if we are connected to Him, life and power flow into us and through us, but if we are not connected to Him, we are just dried-up sticks: Powerless and lifeless. We can’t reduce Jesus to a set of teachings. He is the Living Person we need in order to make it day-to-day. Without Him, we are nothing.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment