Thoughts from DS Olivia
We are a part of a denomination that believes in free will. Not every denomination does, but we do. This means we know that God is powerful, can make a difference, can do great things, and we believe we have to choose to engage with that power, that we are partners with the difference God is making, and we have to say yes to be obedient to what God is calling us to.* God won't make us.
This may seem like a strange start to our newsletter during this Holy Week. Yet, it is where I want to begin because it is important for us as we follow Jesus to the cross. Jesus chose the way of the cross. While this is true, it is also true that God didn't coerce the people of His day to crucify Him. The reality is that the choices Jesus made in His ministry led to choices that those in power in religious and governmental circles also made. Part of the important question for us to ask this Holy Week is, "What choices did Jesus make that led Him to the cross?" And another important question could be, "What choices do I need to make as one who claims to be a follower of Jesus?"
First, Jesus chose to enter into our humanity even though He knew it would be costly. He loved us too much to let us continue in a life of sin and a world that is broken. He didn't just carry a literal cross to Golgotha, He carried a figurative one the moment He became incarnate as well. As followers of Jesus, this is the same choice you and I have to make. Will we follow the teachings of Jesus, even if it costs us?
Second, He made the choice to speak truth to power over and over again. It sometimes comes as a surprise to Christians that Jesus focused His harshest words of judgment on the religious leaders and devout followers of God in His day. It is easier to point at "them" who reside "out there" for judgment. Yet, Jesus' actions were directed at "us" who reside "here" within the church." This is difficult. Will we allow the Holy Spirit to search us, and will we confess our own self-righteousness, our own failings, the ways we worship the wrong things, the pattern of seeking the powers of this world and not the Kingdom of God, and embrace following Jesus and only Jesus?
Third, Jesus chose not to soften His message to keep followers. Some of His disciples said, "This is a hard teaching! Who can follow it?" Some Christians have used this as an excuse to become bullies in the world. Jesus was never a bully. However, He did not back away from inviting people deeper, asking them to commit everything, and showing them the cost of being His disciple. Being Jesus' disciple is a choice! Do you remember the parable about the two builders? One built his house on a sandy foundation, and the other built his house on the rock. I can hear the children's song running through my head as I write these words. However, this is not child's play! Jesus says that both of these builders heard what He had taught, of both had the to do the right thing, and both chose differently. One built his life on the Jesus way, and the other chose the way of the world. When the storms of life came, the one built on Jesus was able to withstand the beating wind and rain. Will we choose to build our lives on Jesus?
Christ chose to become Emmanuel, God with us. Christ chose to enter into our human world and into our flesh. Jesus chose to take up His cross, to speak truth to power, to keep telling the truth of the cost of discipleship, and these choices led Jesus to the cross for our sake. The cross shows us the great love of God as God chooses to be sacrificed so we can have true life. This Holy Week, I am asking God to strengthen me to be a true disciple of Jesus. This is the choice I made a long time ago and keep making each day I live. As we walk with Jesus to the cross, what choice will you make?
Pastor Olivia
*See Article IIV on Prevenient Grace in the Manual of the Church of the Nazarene.
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