A Better Way
What do we see when we look at the life and ministry of Jesus?
I realize that is a big question, and it is prone to subjective interpretation. Yet as believers, it is something that we constantly need to ask and examine. Why? Because Jesus is the author and perfector of our faith, and he is the one that we are to fix our eyes on (Heb. 12:2). We’ve said it this way recently, we (the church) exist because of Christ, and we exist to glorify Christ. Simply put, in Jesus, there is a better way.
If we are going to be fair, if Jesus offers a better way, that must be in contrast to a “less than better” way. Right? Yes. We all know this less-than-better way because it is what used to dominate us, our thinking, and our actions. It was the way of the flesh and the world (Rom. 8:5-11). That way leads to division, strife, pain, and hopelessness. The way of Jesus, on the other hand, leads to life and abundant life at that (Jn. 10:10)! So what is this better way that is modeled by Jesus that stands in stark contrast to the desperation that we see and experience in our world?
If you read through the Gospels, you will encounter Jesus as John describes him (Jn. 1:14), “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” Jesus never abdicated or went soft with truth, nor did he shrink from offering compassion to those who misunderstood him. Jesus modeled a way of life that was generous with love. In fact, it is the reception of that generous love that is to motivate the believer to love in the same way that Jesus did (1 Jn. 1:9). This generosity can be made tangible in our lives through a series of questions as we watch Jesus do these things in the Gospels.
- Am I generous with gentleness in a world of outrage?
- Jesus was no stranger to conflict or confrontation. In these moments, he held to truth in a way that was gentle and resisted the outrage of the world.
- Consider: Luke 22:47-53, 23:32-34
- Jesus was no stranger to conflict or confrontation. In these moments, he held to truth in a way that was gentle and resisted the outrage of the world.
- Am I generous with presence in a world of seclusion?
- Jesus willingly went to be with people and was generous with his presence with those who agreed with him and those who didn’t.
- Consider: John 4:1-45; Matt. 9:9-13
- Jesus willingly went to be with people and was generous with his presence with those who agreed with him and those who didn’t.
- Am I generous with wealth in a world of greed?
- Jesus spoke about the way we think about our financial wealth and how we are to handle it with generosity.
- Consider: Mark 12:41-44; Luke 12:13-21
- Jesus spoke about the way we think about our financial wealth and how we are to handle it with generosity.
- Am I generous with hope in a world of fear?
- Jesus wanted us to know and experience hope that is real and that lasts. However, hope is often a fleeting idea in our worldly existence. It pops up around holidays and is often driven by nostalgia. However, Jesus offers hope that transcends tragedy and tribulation. It stays with us at all times and in all places. And it is not dependent on our fortitude but is held secure by Christ (1 Pet. 1:4).
- Consider Jn. 16:25-33
- Jesus wanted us to know and experience hope that is real and that lasts. However, hope is often a fleeting idea in our worldly existence. It pops up around holidays and is often driven by nostalgia. However, Jesus offers hope that transcends tragedy and tribulation. It stays with us at all times and in all places. And it is not dependent on our fortitude but is held secure by Christ (1 Pet. 1:4).
- Am I generous with personhood in a world that dehumanizes?
- Jesus once said, “Let the little children come to me.” This was a profound moment because of the high mortality infant and childhood rates; children were often seen in utilitarian terms in the first century. Yet, here is Jesus elevating children and proclaiming them valuable and declaring that the kingdom of God also belonged to them. Then there were the Samaritans, the lepers, and the tax collectors, all who were deemed to be slightly less than human and certainly not deserving of dignity or personhood endowed by their creator. Jesus spent time with all of them, and he spent time with those who did the dehumanizing; he extended personhood and respect to all.
- Consider: Matt. 19:13-15; Jn. 4:1-45; Luke 10:25-37 & 17:11-19;
- Jesus once said, “Let the little children come to me.” This was a profound moment because of the high mortality infant and childhood rates; children were often seen in utilitarian terms in the first century. Yet, here is Jesus elevating children and proclaiming them valuable and declaring that the kingdom of God also belonged to them. Then there were the Samaritans, the lepers, and the tax collectors, all who were deemed to be slightly less than human and certainly not deserving of dignity or personhood endowed by their creator. Jesus spent time with all of them, and he spent time with those who did the dehumanizing; he extended personhood and respect to all.
- Am I generous with grace in a world of retribution?
- The way of the world is vengeance and retribution, and Jesus certainly was well aware of that reality. Jesus came to the earth as a gift of grace, and he said that his people would be those who would love their enemies and go the extra mile.
- Consider: Matt 5:38-48, 11:28-30; John 1:14-17
- The way of the world is vengeance and retribution, and Jesus certainly was well aware of that reality. Jesus came to the earth as a gift of grace, and he said that his people would be those who would love their enemies and go the extra mile.
The truth is that none of these questions is easy to answer when life gets hard. Jesus didn’t say that it would be easy; in fact, he said the opposite (Jn. 16:33). Yet, it is the way of Jesus that is a better way. It is the way of Jesus that will steady us in the storms of life and allow us to truly love our neighbors. It is the way of Jesus lived out through his people that will offer this hurting world a desperately needed lifeline and allow them to experience abundant eternal life. Everything else falls short; only Jesus rescues.