An excerpt from a Mark Hart talk-
Some people mistakenly think that Christians are only supposed to be mellow, docile, silent, passive, unemotional, weak or overly polite. Jesus lived passionately, not passively. Don’t believe me? How about a few examples...
“Jesus became perturbed and deeply troubled…” – John 11:33
“Jesus got up and rebuked the winds and the sea...” – Matthew 8:26
“He made a whip out of cords and drove them all out of the temple area…He spilled the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables.” – John 2:15
“His heart was moved with pity for them...” – Matthew 9:36
“Jesus wept.” – John 11:35
“When Jesus saw this he became indignant…” – Mark 10:14
“So Jesus, perturbed again, came to the tomb…” – John 11:38
“Jesus rebuked him and the demon came out of him.” – Matthew 17:18
“Jesus said in reply, ‘O faithless and perverse generation, how long will I endure you?’” – Luke 9:41
“He was in such agony and he prayed so fervently that his sweat became like drops of blood falling on the ground.” – Luke 22:44
Does it sound like Jesus lacked emotion?
Does it appear as though Jesus didn’t show it or that He hid it?
To be emotional isn’t a sign of weakness, lacking self control is. Christ, in His perfection, had the perfect balance.
It’s that balance AND that passion that we, as modern Christians, need to strive for.
Is your faith a passionate one?
If not, DO SOMETHING. He would. And He will. He will move in and through you, if you give Him the chance.
SALVATION GIVEN
“This is the way we may know that we are in union with him: whoever claims to abide in him ought to live just as he lived.” – 1 John 2:5-6
PASSION . . . . PASS IT ON.
2 comments:
It's nice to know that we are not wrong for having passion and emotions. And I think it is also important to remember that Jesus WAS 100% human. (And 100% God) but the human part is SO important when talking about his sacrifice. This actually reminds me of a William Dafoe movie that caused a lot of controversy a while back I think it was called the Temptation of Jesus Christ or something along those lines. Anyway, there was a huge deal about how it was against the teachings of the church etc. etc. But I think: (and I haven't seen it, so I intend to rent it so I can get an accurate opinion) that perhaps the director was trying to show the idea not that it's possible that Jesus wasn't the messiah but that Jesus WAS human and he COULD have not gone through what he did. He could have convinced himself he was NOT the messiah. That is why it is so amazing and important to remember that he did what he did.
I saw that movie and it made me think again of how incredible it is that Jesus died for us. He could not be deceived by Satan in any form. The movie seemed like an imaginative tale of what "could have been" -- if Jesus had not been the Messiah.
I think it illustrated how devious Satan can be, that is for sure.
Hmmm, on that note - I think I will re- read The Screwtape Letters!
Peggy
Post a Comment