My years in Africa were transforming for many reasons, and not because of what I did but because of what the people there gave to me, what they did for me. By their words and actions, by their requests and lifestyles, by their values and care of others, they assured me that the God they knew — and wanted to get to know more deeply — was in fact reflected in the parables of Jesus. So it was clear from the very beginning that the parables of Jesus was the place from which I should preach and the platform on which I should live my life. That’s all that mattered. What I learned in Africa was that the teachings of Jesus are filled with examples, parables, and metaphors that are more nature-based, lifestyle-based, and relationship-based than any concepts of philosophy, academia, or church denominationalism. Jesus says things like, “Look at the lilies of the field” Matthew 6:28 and “Observe the ravens” Luke 12:24. Jesus talks about a woman looking for a lost coin Luke 15:8 and a father running toward his son Luke 15:20. He doesn’t talk about candlesticks, priestly vestments, contemporary music, or orthodoxy. In fact Jesus warns against such righteousness. Certainly in the three (3) Synoptic Gospels there is no suggestion that Jesus is walking around proclaiming eternal doctrines and dogmas. So living in Africa taught me to be honest in what I said and how I lived my life. If it didn’t jive with or dovetail with Jesus, with what He taught and how He lived His life, if it didn’t reflect who Jesus hung around with, then I was being completely dishonest.
Jesus used normal language, not academic language that belonged in cathedrals and institutions of higher learning. He spoke the language of the people with whom He lived and died. Everyone could understand Jesus, whether they were educated or not. King James English is not lovely;
frankly, it’s a bit disappointing. Jesus looks at things right in front of him and talks about what’s real and unreal, what lasts and what does not endure at all. He often criticizes us for our lack of common sense and lack of religious common sense: “3 You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. 4 This is an evil and adulterous generation” Matthew 16:3-4.
The problem is that we too quickly made Jesus into God before we just let Him be our daily teacher, our lover and friend. Today let us pray that 2025 may be the year we all come to know Jesus as our teacher, our lover, and our friend.
Oh Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me a sinner.
From the Bible:
“No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you” John 15:15.
“You are my friends if you do what I command you” John 15:14.
“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10!
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin” Hebrews 4:15.
“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you” John 15:13-15.
Komentar