There is a different type of calling in the Christian life. This calling isn’t about who you are going to marry or where you are going to live or what kind of job you are going to do. Of all the callings in the world, this calling is arguably the most like Jesus’ calling; it’s the calling that most mirrors His life.
Paul and Peter give Jesus an interesting title. They call Jesus a “stumbling stone” (Rom. 9:32, 1 Pet. 2:8). It’s a kind of stone the workers reject and toss aside as useless, but it’s this misunderstood “stumbling stone” that will become the cornerstone for a new humanity and a new kingdom.
Have you ever had one of those moments where you honestly thought, “What if I am getting this all wrong? What if we have been woefully misled and we should have been playing by the world’s rules all along?”
In John 18:36 Jesus declares to Pilate: My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my servants would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish authorities. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.
If you are watching a movie or reading a good book, there is a literary device called dramatic irony that is often utilized. It’s that moment in your book or in the movie when you know the characters are going into a situation thinking one thing, but the reality of that situation is far different. This is when we yell at the people in the movie, “Don’t go in there! Don’t do it! That’s a really bad decision!”
There are many of these moments in the Gospel of John and the Apostle is very gifted at highlighting the painful, ironic realities of the arrest, trial and crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth. Most of the characters in John think one thing, but the reality of that situation and the perspective of Jesus is far more momentous.
If you take a snapshot of any short period of time in our lives, it probably looks chaotic, uncomfortable and painful. We can fixate on any one moment of our lives and get discouraged, overwhelmed and impatient. Grace, however, takes the long view. Grace is all about a “not yet” theology of ourselves and others. The Bible makes it very clear that God is not finished with us and this Christian life is a long process (Rom. 8:18, 2 Cor. 4:15-18, 1 Pet 4:12, etc.). Jesus
Grace tells the truth about sin, but grace does not condemn. For 17 chapters, John is preparing us for the death and resurrection of Jesus the Nazarene, and starting in John 18 it’s like he turns to the reader and says, “Let me tell you how Jesus saved you from sin, condemnation and shame.”
Christmas is a celebration of God’s answer to our greatest need of healing from hurt, guilt and shame in the Person and sacrifice of Jesus of Nazareth. Christmas is the story of Jesus Christ coming in love and truth to reconcile humanity to their Creator, and the miraculous story of Jesus coming to reconcile humanity to humanity.
We’re reminded this time of year of the peace and security we have as disciples of Christ. It’s an infinite and irrevocable belonging rooted in the love of the Triune God . . . a very peaceful and secure place to be.
When you hear someone pray, you get a glimpse right into their heart. It’s like reading their diary — it’s their honest, open, passionate pleas before their Father of what’s really going on in their heart.
Is there more to this Christian journey than chasing down the right circumstances?
