With the thoughts of Jesus' death came thoughts of his life. I remembered a book I read called Beautiful Outlaw and how John Eldredge explained so well the absolute humility of Jesus becoming a man. How he spent 9 months developing in Mary's womb. How he was born into this world by passing through her birth canal. How he grew and learned how to walk just like the rest of us. How he was tempted with things just like we are and had to say no. How he who never slumbers accepted the need for sleep. He became like us in every. single. aspect. He didn't fake his humanity.
I thought about the ugliness of the world. So many people suffering. So many people hungry or depressed or hurt or anxious or tired or all of the above. I thought about my own struggles and sin and questions and doubts and brokenness. And I cried some more. But that's where the real beauty of Jesus comes in. 1 Timothy 1:15-17 reminds me, "Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen."
We lost fellowship with God in the Garden of Eden but Jesus gives it back to us. In John 1:35-39, two of the disciples ask Jesus where he is staying and his response isn't a quick, "Oh I'm staying at this place over here or there.." He says, "Come and you will see." Come. It's an invitation. Fellowship. And Philippians 3:10 says, "I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death." I don't believe the sufferings mentioned here are talking about the suffering related to sin, it's related to living in a broken world. But when we have fellowship with him, we share in the good and the bad - and it's an honor to do so. Our own sin has brought a lot of bad into the world, but around every corner, He is bringing redemption. Because that is what perfect love does. And the best news is that while we brought death into the world, Jesus overcame and defeated it when he rose up from his grave and never died again. We share in that victory as well knowing that death doesn't have to be the end. It can be the beginning of new life.
Like John Eldredge put it in Beautiful Outlaw, we don't need further speculation or debate. We need Jesus himself. And we can have him. For despite the vandalizing of Jesus Christ by religion and the world, he is still alive and very much himself. What a fantastic truth.
