In Day 5 called “Renegade,” the authors tell us that it was difficult for the people in the days of Jesus to recognize Him as their long awaited Messiah. And why? Because He was nothing like what they had envisioned and expected. This tends to still be a problem with humans surrendering to Jesus. Too many think the Gospel seems too simple; they must have to add something to Salvation, don’t they? Too many feel like the Gospel sounds too ridiculous; how can someone be raised from the dead, and even if that was true, how can that save me? Too many want the Gospel to not mess with their own plans; my life is mine and I will not let anyone rule over me! So too many still do not recognize Jesus as our only solution to sin and our only ticket to Heaven. When we approach Jesus with our own understanding, we are sure to miss His Mercy, His Grace and His Love.
Those in His time thought Jesus “was too average looking to be noticed.” (Isa 53:2) “He was too poor to be impressive.” (Lk 2:22, 24) “He was from, Nazareth, a town so small and off the beaten path that it was considered uneducated, backwoods, full of hicks and sticks:” (Jn 1:45-46) And so He came to those who should have known Him, but because He did not fit into their image of who the Messiah would be, they missed Him. Then the authors say, “But to all who received Him…To all. Besides faith, there were no requirements for having a relationship with Jesus. No status, no age, no race, no gender. No prior education or track record of good behavior – the greater the transgression, the greater the forgiveness. He welcomed the poor, the rich, the intelligent, and the not-so-much. He, in fact, broke every cultural, political, and social boundary in the pursuit of the all.” (p30) And He still does! If this is not Good News, then I don’t know what is!
Let’s stop trying to put Jesus in a box of our own making, and let’s choose to seek and recognize Him in our every day lives. Then let’s share Him with everyone we meet.
2023’s Got A Minute? Book Club
January: The First & Best Book Ever: The Bible
February: Love Is In the Air: “The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts” by Gary Chapman
March: Spring Growth: “Secrets of the Vine” by Bruce Wilkinson
April: Living the Resurrected Life: “The Wonderful Spirit Filled Life” by Dr Charles Stanley
May: My Spiritual Mom: “Making Good Habits Breaking Bad Habits” by Joyce Meyer
June: Spiritual Dad: “It’s Not About Me- Rescue from the Life We Thought Would Make Us Happy” by Max Lucado
July: Financial Freedom “Complete Guide to Money” by Dave Ramsey
August: Summer’s Soul Restorer “A Shepherd Looks At Psalm 23” by W Phillip Keller
September: Covering Our Children: “Prayers for the Prodigals” by James Banks
October: Reformation of Our Hearts: “Grace: More Than We Deserve, Greater Than We Imagine” by Max Lucado
November: So Thankful To Be Chosen: “The Chosen 40 Days with Jesus Book One, Book Two & Book Three” by Amanda Jenkins, Kristen Hendricks and Dallas Jenkins
<>< Peace, Diane
