[6+1 thoughts about Jesus]

Joe Carter writes that he doesn't often mention Jesus by name on his blog, but he has put together six thoughts he currently has about the Son of God.

Let me add one of my own:


Jesus didn't come to earth to be a nice guy.

He didn't come so that I could feel comfortable. He didn't come so that I could live my life as I please without receiving any judgments whatsoever. He didn't come so that I could drive around in an SUV while ignoring the sufferings of others. He didn't come so that I could, as Fleetwood Mac might say, go my own way.

He didn't say to the woman at the well (who had been married numerous times and was currently living with some guy), "Yeah, relationships are tough, aren't they? Keep trying to work on yours, and don't let other people's opinions get you down."

He didn't say to the rich young ruler who asked how to obtain eternal life, "You got all that money, so you must be doing something right to be blessed by God like that. Whatever it is, keep it up."

He didn't say to Zaccheus (who, as a tax collector for the Roman empire, regularly stole money from his own people), "Man, you're working for the government. Represent!"

He didn't say to the woman caught in adultery, "At least you were loving someone. Love is the only thing that matters, and it's all you need."

No, Jesus said to follow Him. He is calling us to deny ourselves and to take up our cross daily (Mark 8:34,35). He says that if we do not take up our cross and follow Him, we aren't worthy of him (Matthew 10:38) He wants us to die to ourselves (Romans 6:11). His desire is that we go and sin no more (John 8:11). He wants us to lose our life for his sake and the Gospel's sake. He longs for us to kill our own passions and desires (Galations 5:24).

Crystal Lewis sings that Jesus wants us to "come just as you are." That's certainly true, but He doesn't expect us to stay that way.