Y'all Need Jesus!

Isn’t Jesus awesome and amazing?!?  WWJD? (What would Jesus do?)

He modeled for us how to live under the New Covenant.  He told us that we can not only do what He did, but greater works.  For example, He healed everyone who came to Him for healing.  He never once turned anyone away.  He never said this will teach you something like patience.  He never said you must endure this sickness.  (And, BTW, Paul’s thorn in the flesh was possibly another person since “thorn” in the O.T. refers to either a briar-like thorn or a person.  Paul’s thorn may have been a demon.  It was a “messenger”.  There is no indication it was a disease or ailment.

Jesus was full of grace and truth.  How graciously He responded to a person caught in the act of sin.  He did not condemn her.  He did not tell her that He or God would kill her.  He was not harsh or angry with her.  The mercy she received from Jesus was life-changing.

John 8:7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”

John 8:11 “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

One time the disciples of Jesus wanted to kill some people simply because they did not welcome Jesus.  Again, Jesus did not respond in harsh anger.  He did not threaten to kill anybody or harm them.  In fact, he rebuked his disciples for thinking about killing or harming other people.

Luke 9:55  But He turned and rebuked them, and said, "You do not know what kind of spirit you are of.

How did Jesus tell us to respond to our enemies?  He did not tell us to threaten them with death or violence or harm.  He did not tell us to condemn them.  He told us to do the opposite, to bless them.  He told us to pray for them.

Jesus is so radical!  He is so counter-cultural!  He is often living and demonstrating the opposite spirit.  Off the top of my head, I do not remember any cases when Jesus prophesied death or threatened annihilation to sinners.  Old Testament prophets may have threatened death and destruction, but I can’t think of anybody in the NT who issued a death threat to sinners.

How does Father God see sinners in this day and age of grace?  Jesus told us a parable about the gracious, merciful father.  Wow, what a loving, forgiving, merciful father!  Even when his son had sinned badly, the father welcomed him!  The father did not threaten him or angrily yell at him.  The father did not reject him!  The father did not punish him or discipline him!  He threw a party for the wayward sinner!  How radical, opposite spirit, and counter-cultural is that!?!

What a merciful Father!  Jesus is so gracious!  What a forgiving Father!  I am so thankful to live under the New Covenant!

God is not angrily threatening us or condemning us.  He is not threatening to kill us.  Instead, He is offering to give us life, abundant life, forgiveness, love, peace, joy, mercy, …!  He is not an angry Person.  He is content and at peace.  He is secure.  He is filled with love and He is love.

The good news is so off-the-charts good!  Father is, by far, the best father!!!  I encourage you to meditate upon His goodness, love, mercy, and grace for you and for everyone.

God is good all the time!