Tough not to want a dog like the one pictured above. Beautiful, clean, and so well behaved. Best of all, it comes at walk time with the leash in its mouth, asking apologetically, “Oh master, I know you are so busy, but if you could find a small place in your heart to take me for a short walk, I would be so grateful.” It’s a wonderful description of a pet. It’s a terrible description of a Savior.
Sounds like a disconnect in thinking. What does a well-trained dog have to do with Jesus? Today – a whole lot.
For some, Jesus is a Savior who never tells us anything we don’t like to hear. Never makes a demand on us which requires any kind of sacrifice. Jesus would not dare to say something which everyone, even those who don’t believe in him, might find the least bit offensive. And ask us to change something in our lives? He’s far too polite for that. He knows we all have our own way of living and respects us far too highly than to ask us to do something we don’t want to do.
The Jesus of history, however, is a far cry from the Jesus described above. Unfortunately, over the years Christians have inaccurately portrayed his acts and sayings so that for many, the sheer audacity of his claims about himself and his claim on peoples’ lives have been sanitized.
It wasn’t so for those who met Jesus personally. One night a very refined, cultured man by the name of Nicodemus came to speak with Jesus. He entered the interview curious. He left shocked to his very core. Jesus didn’t patronize Nicodemus. He didn’t try to make him feel good. No, Jesus told this man the truth he needed to hear.
If your view of Jesus is limited to a 15th century painting of a rather insipid, overly mild, skinny man with a vacant look, join us for one of our weekend worship services. The real Jesus won’t make you feel warm and fuzzy, but he will give you what you need.
Weekend worship service times: Saturday: 6:00 pm – Sunday:
10:00 am
