Jesus Stooped Down

I'm listening to a sermon online this afternoon and the pastor read the line, "Jesus stooped down" taken from John 8:6 in the New Living Translation of the Bible. The message was so profound, I had to pause the video and switch over to my blog to jot down my thoughts.

Instantly images of Jesus stooping down rushed to my mind. This line is from the story of the woman caught in adultery, brought to Jesus by the religious leaders of the day. Jesus' response upon hearing the accusation, to stoop down.

Why?

Because that is where the woman was.

This isn't the only time Jesus stooped. He stooped down to make mud so he could heal a blind man. This miracle is recorded in the very next chapter of the Bible, John 9.

While the text doesn't say he stooped, I'm sure Jesus stooped down when he spoke to the man at the Pool of Bethesda. John 5 records Jesus' interaction with the man. John tells us the man had been sick for 38 years. At the time he met Jesus, he was laying on a mat near the pool, but not close enough to be the first person into the pool.

I'm sure Jesus didn't stand over the man during their conversation. Again, the text doesn't say specifically, but I picture Jesus stooping down next to the man's mat to converse with him, and ultimately heal him.

But more importantly, Jesus stooped down when he left Heaven to enter earth as a baby. Philippians 2:5-11 tell the story. Jesus gave up the Divine to become human; he stooped.

Jesus stooped, and I gained the ability to be reconciled to God. Thank you Jesus you loved me enough to stoop down!

Red Letter Christian

I heard a new phrase yesterday, Red Letter Christian. Tony Campolo was speaking to the students of Lee University during chapel when he made the reference.

A Red Letter Christian is someone who lives their life by the red letters of the Bible. Basically, they live life according to the words of Jesus.

Now, I've been a Christian for nearly 38 years, and in all that time, I can assure you I've rarely lived the life to which Christ called me. I am ashamed to say, I have never lived my life as a Red Letter Christian.

I want to. Each day that passes I long more and more to live the life Jesus modeled. But each day I find myself falling into the traps of this world. You see, I've allowed myself to fall into the myth that is American christianity.  I've bought the lie of the prosperity gospel.

If you follow this blog, you will know my wife and I have made it our life's goal to give away money to further God's kingdom. We even have a name for this giving, Kingdom Works funds. And while our desire is Godly, our approach isn't.

You see, we have a line-item in our budget for these Kingdom Works Funds, but that is as far as we've been willing to go. There is a line we have not crossed.

When asked by the Rich Young Ruler what he lacked in his ability to truly follow Jesus, our Savior's response was, "One thing you lack. Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." (Mark 10:21 - NIV)

Those are red letter words. That is the example needed to live the life of a Red Letter Christian.

But wait, you scream. That was Jesus' call to that man. His wealth was hindering him from truly following Jesus. That isn't Jesus' call to me.

It isn't? What did Jesus say to Peter, Andrew, James, John? He said, "Come, follow me" ... and they LEFT THEIR NETS and followed Him. (see Matthew 4:18-22 - emphasis mine)

Red Letter Christians leave everything to follow Jesus. And that is what Jesus expects of us. Material possessions are meaningless to Red Letter Christians. They are simply tools, or in many cases hindrances, to their ability to live the life to which Jesus has called.

So while I strive to live the life of a Red Letter Christian, I so often fail. Fortunately, my God is a God of grace, and each time I fail, I know I'm already forgiven. All I have to do is accept that forgiveness, take up my cross, and follow.