As present day representatives of Jesus, are Christians forgetting who he is, how he treated others and how deeply he devoted himself to those in need?
In biblical times, Jesus was known as a messenger of good news. He brought this news indiscriminately to any who wished to hear it. Regardless of their past or current lifestyles, Jesus welcomed them and talked to them lovingly and respectfully. Scripture demonstrates that Jesus felt great joy for those who embraced his lessons and great sadness and compassion for those who did not.
Christian teachings tell us that those within the church are charged with living a life that is as Christ-like as is possible. Unfortunately, the spirit and atmosphere of many church congregations represents an abandonment of this philosophy in many ways.
Jesus was humble. He did not wear his righteousness as a badge of honor, nor did he wield it like a sword. He spoke of gratitude to God and gave credit to God for his goodness. It can not be found within the scriptures of the Bible any reference to Jesus arrogantly looking down upon others who did not believe as he did. The burden he bore for those who rejected his teachings was one of compassion, concern and sadness.
Many within the church have forgotten this humble Jesus. He has been replaced with representatives who engage in judgemental behavior fueled by ridicule and sometimes with arrogance. The effects of this behavior can be seen in a new generation of young adults who have chosen private and individualized spirituality over church membership.
Jesus did not separate himself from the sinners of his time. In Matthew 9:12, Jesus explains to his disciples and the Pharisees, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: I desire mercy, not sacrifice. For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
This attitude appears to be absent in many church goers today. In fact, the church is developing a reputation for desiring to congregate only with those who have already come to agree with their beliefs. While this may not be entirely true, it is an issue that the church should consider addressing if their desire is to bring in those who are developing an interest in Biblical teachings. Jesus knew that he could not reach those he discouraged from approaching him. It is imperative that the church and its members remind themselves of this, as well.
Jesus loved. He loved when it was undeserved, he loved when was unrequited, he loved when it was painful. Jesus loved unconditionally. There was no performance based affection handed out to those who he deemed worthy of it. In fact, it is made clear that actions can not earn any person entry into heaven. He simply and faithfully loved every creature on Earth.
The love that Jesus felt for his followers and for those who rejected him is utterly lost on many modern Christians. 1 Corinthians 13:14 talks about the definition of love. It is patient, kind, does not envy, does not boast, is not proud. Few of us achieve this level of love without occasional failure. However, as the remaining representatives of Jesus in this world, it is imperative that this message of love become the standard rather than the exception within the church.
Jesus put the needs of others above those of himself in virtually every effort he made throughout his life. He did this as a demonstration of his love for those with whom he shared his ministry. In return, few questioned his devotion to them or his sincerity. Seeing this in him, most of his followers committed their lives to furthering his ministry. They grew faithful because he presented them with clear and unquestionable reasons to believe in his devotion to them.
Today, many churches have become so commercialized and business minded that it is impossible for them to make commitments to any person or cause without first weighing the financial, scheduling and staffing consequences of their decision. While it is necessary to maintain the financial integrity of any institution, the church must always remember that their first responsibility is to meet needs. This remains true even if it means the gymnasium can not be updated until next year, the expenditures of the church must be re-evaluated or one of the church leaders must reschedule a day off.
Jesus did not build a church where he preached each Sunday. However, he did represent the first genuine Christian church in existence, albeit a mobile one. His example must be followed by the churches of today if they are to truly call themselves Jesus' representatives on Earth.
The unkind attitudes and condescending, forced interactions between proclaimed Christians and those desiring an invitation to learn more must stop. Until it does, more and more individuals and families will choose to distance themselves from this institution that they view as contradictory to every fundamental belief they have about goodness, righteousness, love and the selfless commitment of Jesus to those he loved.
