Thinking Outside the Box

Over the last week or so I have really enjoyed following the life of Jesus in the gospels.  Actually there is so much in there that I have only gotten through the first five chapters of John in my quest to learn more about Jesus through the four accounts of His ministry while on the earth.  It seems like every sentence is jam-packed with action, deep meaning and shock to those who were there at the time… especially the Jewish leaders.  Jesus’ words and His lifestyle were so different than what the religious leaders professed that they hung on His every word, totally taken back at what He declared!

I have a friend who told me that in her younger years in Catholic school that she always thought of Jesus as a rebel.  Well, the more I look at His life on this earth, I have to agree with her 100%.  He spoke of a God of love and not of judgment and retribution.  He taught about a God who loves us as His own children instead of One who is just waiting to punish us the minute we do something wrong.  His life demonstrated a heart attitude that was inclusive to all, no matter how different their beliefs were or how deviant their lifestyle choices were.  In John 5:21 Jesus declared that “The Son gives life to anyone he chooses.  Neither he nor the Father shuts anyone out.” (Message Bible)

He extolled a faith that believed and stood on the Word of God alone instead of depending on what one sees with their physical eyes… especially when it was contrary to His spoken or written word.  In Jesus’ second recorded miracle concerning the son of a government leader, the writer makes the point that “The man believed what Jesus told him and went on his way.” (John 5:50 God’s Word ©)  Matthew Henry in his Concise Commentary further defines this action saying “The father went his way which showed the sincerity of his faith.  Being satisfied, he did not hurry home that night, but returned as one easy in his own mind.”

I can just imagine the religious leaders stammering with their mouths wide open as they tried to make sense of what Jesus said and did.  It just did not fit their neat and tidy understanding and comfort zone.  In today’s language you could say that Jesus thought and acted outside the box!  Jesus defined His actions by the love of God for the people and His motives where solely based on grace.  Like I was sharing with one of my children the other day, over the last few years I have come to realize that God’s grace is not black and white, but tinted with many shades of gray! 

Whenever there is any question, I have learned to default to His grace!  It is exactly how Jesus lived His life and no matter how much it blows others away… I want to be able to respond the same.  What are your thoughts on the matter?  Have a great day.  Stay in tune to His Word and keep asking yourself… “What GRACE am I expecting TO GIVE today?”