Being Jesus

I wanted to mention something that Wes preached on this past Sunday at Broadway that really struck me...he was talking about the passage in Matthew 7 where Jesus says to not judge, or you will be judged, and asked, "Who are the only people that Jesus did not agree with or not want to have anything to do with?" And the answer is...(drumroll please)...the religious leaders!! AKA the Pharisees, but nonetheless...THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS!! For those of you who are slow...that means US!!

Instead, he hung around with tax collectors, Zealots, prostitutes...the list goes on...How do we get so wrapped up in judging others (myself included) that we forget to focus on why in the world we have been placed here, which in my humble opinion there doesn't need to be any more books written to tell us that-just go to the Bible and read the end of Matthew: "Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you". He also tells us to love each other as He has loved us. Honestly, are we doing that? I am not just talking about judging those who are in the world, but we do it all the time in our OWN churches and amongst our own fellowship! Again, I am preaching to the choir here-but I hate it that this is going on. I hate it that we get so incredibly wrapped up in what WE want and what makes US comfortable, and what I feel like doing (are you sensing a pattern here?) that we cease to BE Jesus to others and just love them where they are, whether they even have a relationship with Him or our doctrinal issues agree or not...why can't we push past all of that and see each other for who we are...and that is children of God?!

We get so wrapped up on reaching in that we lose sight on how to reach out. We have to be the hands and feet of Jesus not only to this world, but also to each other. This ultimately means putting aside our differences, stepping out of our comfort zones, and being REAL with each other! This is not an easy task, but I truly believe that with God ALL things are possible...

Here am I...send me!