LIVING ROOM’S OPEN DOOR

When we decide to follow Jesus, we are called to be like him. To do what he would do. To say the kinds of things that he would say. To love as he loved.

But how could we possibly emulate a person as remarkable as Jesus? Many of us feel inferior to others, thinking ourselves unable to grow beyond who we are. But Jesus does not think of us that way. He accepts us as those who could become his spiritual brothers and sisters.

When we spend time with Jesus, reading about him in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John—each of us walking and talking with him in our own way—we’ll gradually get to know him. And as we get to know him, we’ll start taking on some of his characteristics.

Jesus was known for his kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. He calls us to love in the way he did by caring for the sick and providing the lonely with friendship.

But Jesus had a lot more than those qualities alone. He was a complex individual with traits that seem contradictory. Jesus was a radical social activist—dying as he fought for justice and the common good.

Through his efforts to change the status quo, he became probably the most revolutionary person who ever lived. That’s a drastically different way of seeing Jesus than the gentle person described above.

During Jesus’ three-year ministry, he challenged everything about the world’s way of thinking. He boldly faced injustice, turning the moral standards of the world’s values upside down with his Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:3-12 which he gave to his disciples. With it, he promoted the importance of love, compassion, peace, and justice. The changes he brought to the world differed from anything that had gone before.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way, they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” 

Yes, Jesus was a man with many diverse features. But I believe all of them were wrapped in one overriding factor. They were all part of his great and boundless love. With this love Jesus fought the injustice that was so prevalent. Our world today is a different place because of his ministry two thousand years ago. And today we are called to follow his teachings and his example.

Jesus blessed us with the greatest love possible. As his followers we can take that love and pass it on to others. There is no better way to follow his example.

marja