By Rev. Janet Stobie
All Christians today claim to be followers of Jesus. What does that mean? The news media, the internet, and even the person living next door would each answer that question differently.
Let’s consider the accounts of Jesus’ life and the stories he told. They give us wisdom for living a healthy, caring, accepting life, regardless of the faith we claim. Jesus said, “The two greatest commandments are ‘Love God, and love one another as God loves you.” In that, I see a great foundation for living as well as instructions for being a follower of Jesus.
Love God. Trust in the higher power of love. Know that God is love, more capable of loving than you and me. Jesus expressed an understanding of the unconditional love of God for not just a few, but for everyone, those who were different, those who were outcasts.
I am a writer. I believe God has called me to carry that “Good News” of God’s love for all people and all of creation in my books, my blog, and my preaching. I tell Jesus’ message.
Jesus not only told us how to live, he showed us how to live. His life illustrated what a loving, forgiving God looked like. Jesus accepted everyone –Samaritans, Canaanites, Jews, Romans, young and old, rich and poor. He did not set out a test so we could qualify. He did not require that we answer any special questions, not even “Do you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour?” He listed no qualifications, no criteria of any kind. He accepted them all. There certainly were people who didn’t agree with him and his teaching of a loving God. Even though Jesus expressed anger at times, he never stopped loving people. In the end, fearful, powerful people crucified Jesus. The Bible tells us his words of love in the agony of the cross, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” And God’s love was victorious. The worst we could do as humans, cruelty, violence, death did not bring defeat. Jesus rose from death. He walked again with his disciples giving us the command to go tell the world with our words and our living that God loves all people.
I believe that children offer wisdom, especially about faith. There is the story of a kindergarten teacher in a Roman Catholic School who asked her class, “Who is Jesus?” One little boy piped up right away, “Jesus is God’s show and tell.
As Christians, we can talk about being the hands and feet and heart of a loving God, but we too, like Jesus, must live that love. Sharing our faith is truly needed so others can learn. Without action, without being the loving, accepting hands and feet and heart of Jesus, our talk means nothing.
Jesus is “God’s show and tell.” Wise words for that is what God calls each one of us to be. Our one Creator accepts every human person as a beloved child of God. Whether or not we identify as followers of Jesus, we are called to be “God’s Show and Tell” in this world today.
For more Reflections, www.janetstobie.com.