January 7, 2013

"When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, 'Who do people say that the Son of Man is?'  'Well,' they replied,  'some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.'"
                                                       Matthew 16:13-14 (NLT)

           Jesus approached his question indirectly.  He first asked his disciples how he was being perceived by others.  I like this approach because I know that this approach allows me to react more thoughtfully and less self protectively when I am eased into a life altering realization.
           People around us have all kinds of ideas about Jesus.  Most think he was at least a really good person with some pretty good advice on living.  One astrophysicist, in his book
The 100, listed Jesus third in his top 100 most world changing people of all time (right after Mohammed and Sir Isaac Newton).  On the other hand a recent Gallop poll noted that the fastest growing religious group in America is the "nones".  One of every five Americans claims no religious affiliation.  It's closer to 1 of 3 among the "millennials."  This would seem to indicated that Jesus is losing influence in America.
           What do those in your circle of acquaintances think about Jesus?  Do they view him as a good man, God's representative on earth, or the one who created all that exists, sustains all of life, and the one for whom and in whom everything is made, destined and finds its purpose (see Colossians 1:15-20)?

"Lord, help me to see first in myself any reductionist thinking about Jesus.  Help me to see the sheer size of Jesus, his comprehensiveness.  Help me to grasp how all of life was made by him and for him.......so that I may carry this awe within me as I engage the world around me.   Amen."

                                                     Additional Covenant Partner Opportunities

              *Learn what the "Good News" is and how to explain it clearly and succinctly
                                                     Life Cafe Wednesdays 7:00-8:30.  January 9, 16, 23, 30

              *A Beautiful Mess        A musical evening of fellowship following the journey of a
                                                     lost child back home.  January 12, 7:00pm