Jesus?

The last few weeks have filled my mind with questions about Jesus. Was Jesus really God? And whatever the answer is to that question; why does it matter? “What if he takes his place in history with all the prophets and the kings who taught us love and came in peace, but then the story ends? What then …?” – Nichole Nordeman’s lyrics have been stuck in my head for weeks as I’ve pondered the man Jesus. Why should I put faith in a man who may or may not hold my salvation in His hands? What if he was just a lunatic, on the level of a poached egg? (1) Does it really make sense that God, The God Almighty, would send a piece of Himself down to earth? It’s definitely a stretch of the imagination. So … What have I to do with Jesus?

There are three words that get tossed around a lot in the Christian religion: faith, grace, and love. And all of these words can be insanely ambiguous and over-used. What do they really mean? Why do they matter? And what do they have to do with Jesus?

Bill Johnson writes, “Grace is the atmosphere created by love that makes faith the only reasonable response.” … What the heck is that supposed to mean? Great! More ambiguous language. Awesome.  But then I looked at it in context … (2)

It was a hot day, dusty day in Palestine. The young woman throne to the street could taste the dust between her teeth as she gritted them in unadulterated anger. Her emotional state was the only thing about her that could be considered “unadulterated”… She knew that word well. She was well-acquainted with adultery, and now it was time to wipe her name off the list, clean the slate, kill the sinful beast that had fallen prey to these righteous men – the Pharisees. Her shame was unbearable. Not only was she going to be stoned, but she had been caught in the very act, and now being publicly accused and mocked. She lay crumpled at the feet of the righteous teacher named Jesus. Through the corners of her eyes, she could see other teachers of the law clutching stones, anxious to hurl them at her in pure malice. The Law of Moses demanded this … she knew it was just … she knew there was no way out. She was a sinner, and the law demanded death. The onlookers waited, ready for Jesus’ declaration of condemnation on this woman. But instead he stooped and scribbled in the dust.

I have no idea what he wrote, but I do know that the grace he was offering this battered soul created an atmosphere that drove the accusers away. That atmosphere was so strong that there were no arguments, no protests. Judgment had been defeated by grace.

The broken woman at the feet of the Grace Giver didn’t need to be told to believe in Christ. She believed. Jesus’ love for this woman had given her grace … and the only logical response was to put her faith in Jesus. Faith, grace, and love. “Grace is the atmosphere created by love that makes faith the only reasonable response.” Yes.

Maybe I see myself as one of the Pharisees sometimes. I’m not adulterous, I’m not a vagabond at the feet of Jesus, I’m not about to be stoned for disgusting, sinful behavior! … or am I? I lose faith when I start to see myself in the wrong position. When I forget about the atmosphere or grace and love that surrounds me, faith seems ridiculous and far away. When I lose faith, I find myself on the outskirts of the crowd, stone in hand, ready to beat down the broken hearts. I find myself working against Jesus, battling the powers of love, grace, and faith. I become a monster. 

But, “Jesus loves me, this I know. For the Bible tells me so…” Jesus loves me, this I know. Because all of the stones are fallen to the ground. Because love and grace give me no alternative. Because the only logical thing to do is to fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. (3)

1. C.S. Lewis, “Mere Christianity” (p.40) 
2. Bill Johnson’s Foreward in “Culture of Honor” by Danny Silk
3. C.S. Lewis, “Mere Christianity” (p.41)