Pastor's corner - March 4, 2010

Jesus knew a better way

A “thirty something” Jesus made his way to the Baptist at the River Jordan because he knew in his heart that there had to be more to life than he found in being a carpenter.

In his home town of Nazareth there was little to inspire Jesus. Somehow the religious leaders missed the mark. The government was filled with corruption. The Roman occupiers were misusing their considerable powers. The taxation system was an outrage. Everywhere Jesus looked there was a great deal of cruelty. His neighbors were angry with each other, they failed to forgive one another and the streets were filled with the poison that is gossip. In short, everywhere Jesus looked – from those who ruled all the way down to folks on the street – people had lost their way.

Jesus knew there had to be a better way. He knew that God expected more from his chosen people than corruption and cruelty. Jesus knew that God’s way was the path of love, compassion and forgiveness. He knew that if somehow God’s Kingdom was to truly reign on earth things would be far different. Seeking a place to begin, Jesus sought out his wise cousin, John. There followed the forty days in the wilderness that we remember during Lent.

In Luke’s gospel (4.16-21), a passage from the very beginning of Christ’s ministry, we can clearly see how Jesus viewed his role in the coming Kingdom of God. Quoting the prophet Isaiah Jesus said: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me. He’s chosen me to preach good news to the poor. He’s sent me to announce pardon to prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind. He wants me to set the burdened and the battered free. The Spirit causes me to announce: “This is God’s year to act!” We know from our scriptures that Jesus went on to fulfill this prophecy. Jesus lived out these words all the way to the cross and beyond.

During the Lenten season is a good time for us to ask ourselves two questions: “How did Jesus have the strength to stand up for all that is wrong in the world?” And, just as important a question: “How might I discover the same strength to bring healing to our broken world?” Jesus was able to accomplish incredible things because he had an intimate relationship with God.

The Aramaic word that Jesus used to refer to God has the meaning of “daddy.” Jesus knew that his “daddy” would never leave him.

We need this kind of intimate relationship with God.

This sets us on the path we might think of as “the Jesus Way.” Describing this way, here is an adaptation of the words of Mother Teresa:

While it may well be true that people are often unreasonable and self-centered, the Jesus Way is to love them anyway. While some people may accuse you of having selfish motives when you seek to do good, the Jesus Way is to do good anyway. Even though the compassionate acts you do today may well be forgotten tomorrow, the Jesus Way is to be compassionate anyway. While it may well be the case that what you spend years building might be destroyed overnight, the Jesus Way is to build anyway. Often those we help will fail to thank us for our generosity. The Jesus Way is to help them anyway. As Jesus knew very well, the realization of God’s Kingdom on earth isn’t about “you and them.”

The Jesus Way begins with your having an intimate relationship with God.

Bob Ingalls, pastor

Malden Community Congregational Church