MEDITATION
'He painted outside the lines'
Recently, I conducted a memorial service for a woman local to our community. She lived a full and colorful life. As I prepared for what I was to say, I found myself thinking that if this woman had lived 2,000 years ago, she would have found Jesus quite compelling.
Honestly, I believe many of us would have been put off by Jesus because He was of a different kind. Jesus painted outside the lines. Jesus mixed things up, caught people off guard. He had a creative flair. He loved, yet challenged people in their thinking, beliefs and actions.
With growing clarity, it dawned on me that:
She would have been captured by Jesus' compassion toward the young, the elderly and the less fortunate.
She would have been drawn toward His heightened valuing of women in a culture that silenced their voices and minds.
She would have been motivated by His identification of injustice and calling for correction.
She would have been captivated by His use of parables, language, story-telling and colorful teaching—that many times left people hanging, letting them figure out the meaning for themselves.
She would have been inspired by His ability to discern the people and environment around Him and deliver the appropriate response to the perceived or not perceived needs of the individuals He was with.
She would have been moved by His mercy and compassion, and healing of physical and spiritual illness.
She would have celebrated His enjoyment of life, His freedom to live, and His ability to be real. She would have identified with His welcoming friends and family of every tribe, race and clan—everyone, everywhere, anytime.
It's interesting that the people who tended to draw near to Jesus back then would be the same ones who probably tend to shy away from the church today. What does that mean?
We have much to learn about the ways of God. May we be compelled and curious to consider the ways of Christ, and may His ways enlighten ours.
- Mark Bankson
Our Saviour's Lutheran
Church, Stanwood
