Would you have recognized Jesus the first time He came? Obviously, there’s no definitive answer here. Hypothetically though? What if there were a measuring stick that might guide us to a proximate? Would you be honest enough to answer? I try to. Not because I’m afraid one day I might trip into a time tunnel that gigawatts me back a few thousand years. Rather, I believe there are invaluable underpinnings for helping us to recognize His second coming by way of positioning ourselves for the first.
What was is now known. What will be is unforeseen. But fear not, the former has hidden signposts that point us toward the latter.
Remember when you first met Jesus? When you first got saved? Before you really knew much about anything religious? Before denominations and streams and pop-star Christian celebrities were a thing you marveled? Before you really thought about what political party God subscribes to? Ahh, those were the days!
What happened? In the name of growing in the faith, it seems a lot of us have grown heavy in our relationship with a brand. Look this way. Talk that way. Vote this way. Watch that news. Take this stand. Attend that church. Subscribe to this. Donate to that. It’s not all bad. It’s not all good either. And it’s not far off from some of the scenarios Jesus ran into.
“Could He be the Messiah?” This question crops up many times over the course of the Gospel narratives. “Some say you’re…” I imagine Jesus’ reply to be in quiet confidence. “Who do you say I am?”.
The first, best thing we can do is not to assume. “But I’m a born-again Christian! Of course, I’d…!” A popular expression, indeed. Unfortunately, the Pharisees had a similar one. Even those of status below, rode heavily upon their relationship with Abraham to save their poor souls. All rested on best intentions coupled with position, unable to recognize the very Savior that stood before them. By the grace of God, some managed to see the light. Others bore down, gnashing their teeth toward any notion that suggested they… were… wrong.
If the last elections taught us anything, it’s that people are all too ready and willing to die on the hill of the brand they follow. How can this be? Do 100% of our ideals align perfectly with theirs? Probably not. Rest assured there was sin on both sides of the aisle. It would take a great time to cover all. I think it best to stick to that which hits closest to home. Perhaps we should gird our loins for this one.
A large number of prophets predicted a Trump 2020 presidential victory. Hindsight reveals this was not the case. Cheating or none, our all-knowing God would have been privy to and radioed the message accordingly. It was disappointing to observe so many stick to their guns after the fact. I’m fine to wonder whether or not our donations have clouded their judgment, and are now unwilling to say anything that might starve them of their current status/lifestyle. “Tell us what we want or else!” an all too Biblical narrative.
Some time back I began to track my thoughts as I listened to the ideas of those I favored. I listened as well to those I did not. Interestingly, when I tuned in to those I was pro, I found my mind scanning, ciphering to figure out why what they said was ‘obviously’ right. And as you may have guessed, the opposite rang true with those I ‘obviously’ opposed. I espy my preconceived notions are getting the better of me.
What meaneth thou? Do I fear that having a different opinion than my affiliate will bring me undesired attention, possibly running the risk of my brand membership being revoked? Isn’t this what the people feared from the religious sect? Scorn? Losing their place in society? Their access to the temple? Is anything new under the sun?
Where are we finding our security? Religious officials offered peace with God by way of obeying its rules (Talmud), a man-made safety net so as not to disobey God’s commands. Good intentions gave way to self-glorification from which these bigwigs profited. Jesus had much to say in terms of not following after their ways.
If the news pundits remain our pastors, if the prophets can speak no wrong - if we choose to follow after a brand, then Jesus is reduced in our hearts to a silly, sports mascot seeking to hype up the local fan base between innings. We know that’s not what He wants. And the solution is simple. You and I can cease to imagine that the problem is always ‘those other guys’.
2 Chronicles 7:14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
Jesus didn’t arrive in advertisement of the brand people anticipated. Their hope was for something other than. He was gentle when they thought He’d be rough. He was rough when they thought He’d be gentle. He was kind to those they thought He’d be harsh. He was harsh to those they thought He’d be kind. His entry was off. His exit the same. There wasn’t much about Him that fit the mold from what they’d heard. Their brands had all backfired. Their preconceived notions had gotten the better of them. And wouldn’t you know? He’s coming back again.
Thanks for listening!
Thanks Ken.