I was off work sick this week and while laying flat out on my sofa, I was channel surfing on the tv. I could not believe my luck when I came across a movie based on a favorite book of mine - Joshua. (The original book seems to be out of print, but it looks like it is part of this). The premise of the book is Jesus turning up to live in a small community. His name is Joshua. While I do have a couple of theological issues, the book and the movie both captured me because they paint a picture of what would it look like if Jesus lived in my community. Joan of Arcadia tried for a similar thing. Rich Mullins has a fabulous song called Boy Like Me that touches on this same theme. Take a moment to read the lyrics. I love the line: "Well, did You wrestle with a dog and lick his nose? Did You play beneath the spray of a water hose? Did You ever make angels in the winter snow?"
Take a few moments and picture it ... don't picture the Jesus of robes, beards and centuries of paintings. Picture a Jesus of whatever gender, ethnicity, skin colour and clothing that is relevant to where you are. Who is (s)he? (Yes, that can mess with our minds can't it!) What would he be like? What would draw people to him? The thing that comes through in both the book and the movie, is his humour, kindness and love for people. Love, love and love again. Even when challenging, it is done with love for the person and the truth rather than a self righteous finger pointing.
Like in times of old, people were drawn to Jesus. He loved, he cared, he listened. It's an incredibly attractive thing. I know I find myself undone by the love of God. When I stop long enough to be with him, it hits me, and I am completely humbled and undone. And I am drawn. I want more of him.
Here's a thought. We are Jesus with skin on. What does this look like in your world?
2 comments:
I loved this post too! Reminds me of the end of "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" where the main character sees the baby Jesus (and the Holy Family) in a new way- one that was more realistic. Political refugees living abroad, a teenage mother, a man with a son that is not his own. As much as we talk about the divinity of Christ it's still the humanity of Christ that touches me most!
Yes Dan ... I like the way you put that last line ... "it's still the humanity of Christ that touches me most".
When I was struggling one weekend with the possibility that Ruby could die ... the place I found my comfort was seeing Jesus in his humanity at Gesthemane ... agony of soul ... and in his humanness saying, "father if there is any other way ... I don't want this ..." I found that so comforting because I knew he understood.
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