With Easter happening earlier this month, many people’s minds were focused on the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I’ll be honest with you. The truth for me around Jesus is perhaps the most vague. Raised to believe that he was the Son of God, my Savior and the only mediator between myself and God, I simply don’t feel that way anymore. I have more questions than answers and reading books such as The Pagan Christ by Tom Harpur and listening to the debates raised by movies such as The DaVinci Code has only fueled the fire of my uncertainty.
What I have come to terms with as a minister on the subject is this: I no longer believe that we are undeserving sinners in need of salvation. That’s a huge fearbased belief that brings people into a place of guilt and tremendous undeservedness.
I no longer believe that I need a mediator in order for me to talk to God. I
communicate directly with God on a regular basis and so far I haven’t been struck by fire or brimstone. As a matter of fact, I get answers back fairly quickly most of the time so I seem to be doing something right in that department.
What I do believe in is what the Bible says, ‘Let this mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.’ So what was the mind that was in Christ? Many people assume that Jesus Christ was all about healing the sick, raising the dead and performing miracles like feeding thousands with a small amount of food. He is often pictured as very effeminate, pale and sickly. Is that who Jesus really was? I don’t think so. Let me share with you why I see Jesus quite differently.
Do you know about the time Jesus apparently walked into the temple and threw out the money changers, driving them out with whips of ropes that he made, dumping out their pots of money and overturning their tables?
What about the 23rd chapter of Matthew which is totally devoted to Jesus’ stern denunciation of the religious leaders of his time calling them hypocrites and comparing them to dirty dishes and attractive tombstones full of dead men’s bones. He rebuked one of his closest companions Peter with the words, ‘Get behind me Satan for you speak the words of the Devil.’
Why have we labeled Jesus as always passive and gentle when there are countless examples of him speaking his mind with tremendous conviction?
Perhaps we have a fear of our own conviction and faith. Are you really willing to stand firm and declare your values in spite of opposition? Do you find it much easier to be in a place of wishy-washiness when it comes to environmental issues, health issues or political situations?
Jesus said that his followers would do works greater than him. So what are we waiting for? There’s a tremendous amount of work to be done on this planet. Right now a health bill called Codex could be passed in the United States that would take away our right to enjoy alternative health services and products by as early as December 31, 2009. Is everyone going to HOPE and PRAY that this doesn’t happen or are you going to stand up for your rights and personal health freedoms?
We have a useless war going on in Iraq that is killing hundreds each week and it is being financed by our tax dollars. Are you afraid to stand up and say NO to the governments that we elected in place and pay every month with our hard earned taxes?
Last week I received a long-awaited email from Dr. Rajaa, a member of the Iraq Governing Council. I have not had a response to my emails to her for months. What a relief to get a simple email from her – ‘we are alive but not well. Please pray for us Jan.’ My eyes filled with tears and my heart ached at the thought of what this amazing doctor is enduring along with millions of other innocent people. I feel like my prayers aren’t enough right now.
Jesus also told us to be the light of the world. How dim or bright is your light? If you’re hiding your talents away, too afraid to let your light shine, then know that NOW is the time to shine. We need your light!
Whether or not Jesus was a real man, the Son of God or a wonderful mythical
character, doesn’t change some really powerful lessons for life. In one sentence Jesus taught us to: Stand up, speak up and show up.
Add that to an attitude and philosophy of life that creates unconditional love, oneness, joy, inner peace, non-judgment, forgiveness and compassion in all moments and situations of life and you have a winner.
Have an amazing month of light and love.
Blessings,
This information is copyrighted. Please feel free to pass along, use as part of your spiritual newsletters but please keep all information including contact information intact. Thank you for your respect and integrity in this matter.
Jan Janzen is a non-denominational minister, author and entrepreneur. Her book Devil with a Briefcase: 101 Success Secrets for the Spiritual Entrepreneur along with her CD series for the Spiritual Entrepreneur and other resources for the entrepreneur with ethics are available at www.spiritualentrepreneurinfo.com. For more information on Jan’s ministry and her support of microfinance projects around the world, please visit www.janjanzenministries.com
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