Friday’s thoughts
I have come to the following conclusions:
1. If Jesus is God’s son we can see it in the choices he made. He chose to allow John to Baptize him. He really didn’t need to be baptized, but he chose to let John baptize him and, in giving authority over to John he showed us that life calls for us to consider what we are doing and why we are doing. The authority he gave John authorizes us to make choices for the good of the whole. It’s not just about us.
2. If Jesus is God’s son we can see it in the cross he carried. He put his choices into action and he courageously faced his fears and his death by doing what he did for countless people who felt excluded from God. He found a cause and he lived it. He picked up his cross and he carried it. The Roman Centurion, at the foot of the cross said, “This man is a son of God.” There are crosses/causes we must carry. It’s not just about us.
3. If Jesus is God’s son we can see it in the community he established. He took the bread and the cup and he said, “I will be alive in you. Take the cup and the bread that is broken. I will be alive in you as you gather in my name.” There is a community we are invited to join. It is called the ‘body of Christ’ and we reconnect with that community at the table when we receive the sacrament. It’s not just about us.
It is not just about us, and it’s not just about the kind of person Jesus was. If Jesus is the Son of God, and as we are followers of the Son of God we are compelled to do as he did. We must make good choices, we must find a cross to carry, and we must be part of a community of faith. It’s not just about us, and it’s not just about Jesus, it’s primarily about the God we worship who is present with us in our community, in the crosses we carry and in the choices we make.
This is where the sermon has taken me. If you have thoughts about this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. Click on the blank space and the email address will pop up.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
