We spend a lot of time trying to make the gospel relevant to our culture. We come up with catchy slogans and fancy advertisements that supposedly attract people to God, but I just keep thinking we ought to let God speak for himself. It didn't seem like Jesus was much of a public relations rep for the Father. He didn't have that many cool catch phrases. I mean, I don't even think he would've been called "hip" in his day. It seems like he was just kind of normal: "He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him" (Isaiah 53:2).
Jesus was, though, the "radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being" (Hebrews 1:3). I just keep thinking that if God really did create us for relationship for himself, then he is automatically relevant to us as people. I believe that Jesus speaks right to our needs as human beings, and that he meets us where we are. Jesus went right to where there were people who needed him. And the funny thing was, they didn't run away because he was so "holy". There must have been something about Jesus that made them feel comfortable - that drew them to him. He must have been attractive just because of who he was.
Jesus was, though, the "radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being" (Hebrews 1:3). I just keep thinking that if God really did create us for relationship for himself, then he is automatically relevant to us as people. I believe that Jesus speaks right to our needs as human beings, and that he meets us where we are. Jesus went right to where there were people who needed him. And the funny thing was, they didn't run away because he was so "holy". There must have been something about Jesus that made them feel comfortable - that drew them to him. He must have been attractive just because of who he was.
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I think that a lot of people don't understand relationships, and so the idea of a personal relationship with Jesus just doesn't make sense. I know that doesn't make the truth any less true, but I do think it's challenging to figure out how to make the relationship relevant when people don't see it for themselves. It's funny that people seem to know their need and their inadequacies well, and yet we don't recognize Jesus as the counterpart that brings healing, wholeness, and fulfillment (however slowly they come).
ReplyDeleteI agree - it does come back to relationships. And the reason people don't see Jesus as what they need is because we don't do that great of a job of representing him to others. If Jesus is supposed to be present in his Spirit, then he should be evident in the Church. People should see healing, wholeness, and fulfillment in the Body of Christ and be drawn to him, but a lot of times they don't.
ReplyDeletegood point. this relates to our conversation on Bodie's blog, then... what do we do when the system is broke? I feel like the church is in many ways beyond repair, but not beyond healing. What I mean is that the church is flawed and always will be. How do we help fix it?
ReplyDeleteBecome leaders who learn, teach, and most importantly live this stuff. Discipleship happens one person at a time.
ReplyDeleteAnd, I don't know.
Any ideas?
No, I really don't have any ideas. I'm pretty frustrated with the church right now, especially my denomination. Sometimes I can't wait to get out of seminary just so I can get a break from the world of the PCUSA.
ReplyDeleteI went to the Youth Specialties convention recently, and I was reminded that although the church is sick, it is not dead -- I was glad to see that there are lots of people who really do love Jesus. It was energizing.
I hear ya about getting sick of the church. I love people and the rest of it I can do without.
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