Jesus

Thursday November 13

JESUS

Ever find yourself getting a little bored with "Jesus?"

A bit too ho hum?...too familiar?...too predictable?

Stories a bit worn out?...like when you used to sit on someone's lap and it's the same story book, over and over, until you find your lips moving with the words?

Knowing the big pieces of His life so well...missing the details?..and the excitement?

As someone, commenting on their reading of the Bible that day said to a friend - "I feel like I've just been bored again." (Get it? :))

Well don't switch books....just learn to read The Book...really read Jesus. That's in the Bible in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John...and His fingerprints are all over most of the others books too..

Even if on some days you find your self a little low on faith.....read Jesus with this mindset:

1. This is the story of God showing up in human form.

2. Look at the culture, the people, the events well, because it is all of God's choosing. (What if He had chosen to come to America in 2006?)

3. God is on a mission here in Jesus to change the planet and He does. Watch how...watch the big picture unfold through the details.

4. There are four accounts of Jesus' life because it is just that important. Everything counts.

5. Jesus was single, from a single-parent family, with 4 or more siblings of which He was the oldest. His earthly father was a carpenter, died young and passed his trade on to Jesus. For most of His life, Jesus cut, hauled, planed, carved and made things out of wood....possibly into house building and roofing.
He was strong, disciplined, and real to the core...and a lot of fun to be around.

6. Jesus was Jewish, and that is why the Bible is so large. The first part of the Bible is Jewish and everything in it relates to the big story about Jesus. (But wait till later to get into that.) Get the first and biggest part of the story down well at the start. It will serve to help you fit the rest of it all together.

7. The reality about Jesus is this: and this is not a faith deal - in about two years, having left the carpentry business, He taught lots of people, trained a few, and walked out a very early finish to His life here in order to provide a way for people to come to God without fear and to begin to experience His changing of everything about them.

And the plan worked.

As I write this blog today, millions of people are speaking His name, reading Jesus, and experiencing His presence in their lives. This is going on on every continent and population center. Centers of learning bear His name. Hospitals and benevolent organizations center in His teachings. Even swearers get rid of frustration speaking His name (not a wise thing to do, incidentally). Millions of crosses are on rings and around necks.
.....Jesus' influence and effectiveness is very much present all around us.

There is no person in history who comes even close to matching His life, teachings and impact.

Jesus is in a realm by Himself. He is unique and only. He stands alone.

So as you read, keep this in focus....go beyond the big parts of the story....go for the details and the context....think, think, think.
And pray
...for as you read about Him, He'll be peering over your shoulder and entering your life.

That's another God thing about Him. He loves you.

Selah.

Dave