Throughout the years, biblical scholars and theologians have searched for the historical Jesus. They have sought to know all they can about Jesus in his historical context. While this can certainly be a worthwhile and profitable study, I contend that there is another search that is more universal: searching for the essential Jesus.

God’s purpose in creation is to rule through his human partners. Adam and Eve were designed to tend the garden with a view to tending the whole earth. They had everything they needed to do just that. Their fall into sin left them afraid of the God who loved them, ashamed of the bodies he gave them, and dismayed at the task he assigned them. The story of redemption is the answer to each of these problems and provides the means for God to again have a community on earth that will display his image accurately and co-rule with him. 

THE NATURE OF HIS NAME

The apostle John closes his gospel account by recording the very last discourse Jesus had with his disciples. John recounts the prayer Jesus prayed to the Father after revealing intimate insights to the disciples about sharing the life of God. He prays that they (and we) will know in fullness the joy of sharing his very life. Jesus relates that he has made known to them how he was sent from the Father, how he revealed the true nature of the Father, and how he has kept them in the Father’s name. He asks the Father to continue to keep them in his name as they embrace the full meaning of being loved completely as humans who share eternal life. It is noteworthy that his prayer is not about them behaving better or being more religious. He wants them to know what it’s like to be “loved humans.” The human experience proves that a focus on simply behaving better, though perhaps temporarily satisfying, does not transform anyone.

As we approach this new year and decade, we hear many voices encouraging us to feel positive about our future. I have heard some playing on the idea of 20/20 eyesight, saying that 2020 is a year of corrected vision and clear perspective. Others build their hopes on positive thoughts and words that they believe will actually create circumstances that are better... 

The deliriously happy couple married and expected to live to a ripe old age enjoying grandchildren and savoring their twilight years together. Cancer! She died at age 27. He was devastated. Another young man studied hard and received good grades in hopes of getting a job with the large firm. Another less qualified candidate knew the CEO personally and was hired instead. He was downcast. It happens to all of us. What we expected didn’t happen. What we wanted was not granted. Life surprised us with an unexpected turn. Our face fell. Our shoulders slumped. It’s natural. We are not in control of everything, and we don’t always interpret our hopes correctly. It is natural, but it is also dangerous. In that critical moment, we are faced with a choice, and the consequences of that choice are far-reaching. We are faced with an opportunity to identify as a victim, villain, or victor.

The whole human race is caught up in a frantic search for peace, harmony, purpose, and pleasure. In other words: joy. What most have not yet discovered, however, is that God designed us for that very thing. Even the wiring of the human brain is controlled by a center that is motivated by joy.

Who among us has not been alarmed by news reports of how divided our society has become? People on both sides of the political aisle roll their eyes when they hear those on the opposing side demanding safe places and refusing to even listen to opposing views (much less allowing them space on their Facebook news feeds). 

It seems we have become so fragile that we can’t endure the tension of being challenged to think beyond our own opinions. While certainly not a sign of a healthy culture, this fragility does reflect the deep need for all people to find a safe place. Rapidly growing discoveries in the field of brain science are confirming what Jesus declared a couple thousand years ago. In fact, Jesus was simply elaborating on what the mega-story of biblical history has emphasized for thousands of years. 

The Way Of The Thorn

Suffering is often demonized in the current climate of “feel good” religious dogma. In an effort to attract more followers, leaders tend to over-emphasize the idea of pleasure and comfort afforded those who believe while neglecting or even rejecting the role of suffering. This is very dangerous.
It leaves the sheep of God’s pasture vulnerable to the stalking predator who is seeking someone to attack.“. . . Like a roaring lion our adversary the devil prowls around looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8, NRSV)
Spiritual leaders are responsible to equip believers to survive and thrive in the battle with the devil and his purposes. Those who are not aware of the strategic role of suffering in the Christian journey become easy prey for the prowling lion. In fact, neglecting the role of suffering contributes to the exodus many churches are experiencing. Many who turn their backs on the Christian message have been blindsided by trouble they were never equipped to expect and thus grow cynical about the entire message.

When what we see suggests that evil is winning and that life is random; that God is, at best, disinterested in our plight; that when our hopes and dreams seem to be crashing around us and prayers are seemingly ignored—we long for an audience with God. 

The ancient Job did, and so did Habakkuk. 

“O LORD, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not listen? Or cry to you “Violence!” and you will not save? Why do you make me see wrongdoing and look at trouble? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise. So the law becomes slack and justice never prevails. The wicked surround the righteous—therefore judgment comes forth perverted.” (Habakkuk 1:2–4, NRSV) 

The prophet lived during a time when the most wicked nation that had ever existed was rising to consume everything in its path. The evil powers that ruled Babylonia were straight from the bowels of hell. The tyranny and terrorism was unmatched in prior days. Yet, God was allowing the powers of evil to capture and enslave his own people, who admittedly were violating his covenant, but were not even close to the depravity of this godless nation. Habakkuk didn’t understand. How could God be still or be silent when such injustice was rampant in a world he founded upon justice? 

There is a growing number of church leaders who, having a heart of a true pastor, recognize the attractional model of the church is not getting the job done

The metrics of our consumerist culture are not those of the kingdom of heaven. When we measure the success of our ministry primarily by attendance, money, and the Sunday experience, we have missed the point. The called-out ones that comprise the church Jesus is building are marked by an overwhelming passion for knowing him, a love and submission to his word, an appreciation for the majestic doctrines of salvation, a participation in the community of faith, and a longing to expand the influence of Christ’s rule in all the world.

It is increasingly popular to complain about the consumer-church, but we continue to promote it because it gives us some basis for boasting in our own works. We continue to buy into it with only a few minor tweaks.