When my children were small and first learning to communicate, we would remind them to use their words. Rather than simply grunting or crying, we would encourage them express their wants, needs and feelings using words and phases we could understand. Their words weren't perfect. Their grammar was terrible, but we knew they needed to practice communicating if they were going to be successful in life. (They all know how to communicate now and sometimes we wish we had never given them that advice!)
Jesus used his words, but his words were more than simple communication. John tells us that Jesus was "the word made flesh" (John 1:1). The same words that spoke the light into being and formed the stars took on flesh and walked on the very earth he spoke into existence. Jesus didn't just speak words, he was, and is the eternal Word. Jesus used his words to heal. Like when he spoke to the lame man at the pool of Bethesda, "Get up!, pick up your mat and walk" (John 5:6). Jesus used his words to speak comfort; "Your brother will rise again," he told Martha as she grieved at her Lazarus's grave (John 11:23). Jesus used his words to forgive and correct; "Has no one condemned you? Then neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin” (John 8:10-11). The words of Jesus have been the most scrutinized words in all of human history. For two thousand years, scholars and skeptics, saints and satirists have studied the words Jesus. For many, his words offer comfort. For some, they are the source of pain. For everyone, they present a challenge and an invitation.
The challenging words of Jesus are found in statements like, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). Does Jesus really intend us to believe that he is the exclusive way to God? Other difficult passages include, "If your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out" (Matthew 5:29), and "do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear" (Matthew 6:25). These words sound impractical if not radical. These passages were difficult for Jesus' original audience and have been baffling audiences for generations since. Sometimes Jesus' words are difficult to understand, and sometimes they are difficult because we understand them all too well.
The difficult sayings of Jesus are also an invitation. They invite us to consider a God who's ways are not our ways and who's thoughts are not our thoughts. If we could understand God, he would cease to be God. Therefore, it stands to reason that we wouldn't understand all of Jesus' words. If we could, He would just be another great teacher or philosopher. But Jesus was much more than that. Jesus was the very Word made flesh.
As we approach Easter, let us consider some of the tough sayings of Jesus. I believe each difficult saying is an invitation to live a life more in tune with the one who designed life. Every time we wrestle with a difficult saying of Jesus, we are fighting for a better way to live. I pray you'll join us each Sunday for The Tough Sayings of Jesus. I also hope you will spend the days between now and Easter reading the Gospels for yourself. Make your own list of tough sayings and discover how God may be inviting you to a better way to live.
Grace and Peace,
Gary
Jesus used his words, but his words were more than simple communication. John tells us that Jesus was "the word made flesh" (John 1:1). The same words that spoke the light into being and formed the stars took on flesh and walked on the very earth he spoke into existence. Jesus didn't just speak words, he was, and is the eternal Word. Jesus used his words to heal. Like when he spoke to the lame man at the pool of Bethesda, "Get up!, pick up your mat and walk" (John 5:6). Jesus used his words to speak comfort; "Your brother will rise again," he told Martha as she grieved at her Lazarus's grave (John 11:23). Jesus used his words to forgive and correct; "Has no one condemned you? Then neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin” (John 8:10-11). The words of Jesus have been the most scrutinized words in all of human history. For two thousand years, scholars and skeptics, saints and satirists have studied the words Jesus. For many, his words offer comfort. For some, they are the source of pain. For everyone, they present a challenge and an invitation.
The challenging words of Jesus are found in statements like, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). Does Jesus really intend us to believe that he is the exclusive way to God? Other difficult passages include, "If your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out" (Matthew 5:29), and "do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear" (Matthew 6:25). These words sound impractical if not radical. These passages were difficult for Jesus' original audience and have been baffling audiences for generations since. Sometimes Jesus' words are difficult to understand, and sometimes they are difficult because we understand them all too well.
The difficult sayings of Jesus are also an invitation. They invite us to consider a God who's ways are not our ways and who's thoughts are not our thoughts. If we could understand God, he would cease to be God. Therefore, it stands to reason that we wouldn't understand all of Jesus' words. If we could, He would just be another great teacher or philosopher. But Jesus was much more than that. Jesus was the very Word made flesh.
As we approach Easter, let us consider some of the tough sayings of Jesus. I believe each difficult saying is an invitation to live a life more in tune with the one who designed life. Every time we wrestle with a difficult saying of Jesus, we are fighting for a better way to live. I pray you'll join us each Sunday for The Tough Sayings of Jesus. I also hope you will spend the days between now and Easter reading the Gospels for yourself. Make your own list of tough sayings and discover how God may be inviting you to a better way to live.
Grace and Peace,
Gary
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