The constant noise of contemporary life makes it easy to miss the most profound message the world has ever known: Jesus loves you. Innovative teachers Craig Gross and Jason Harper will separate the religious from the real as they show how this simple truth is worth our undivided attention. The authors weave Jesus' narrative with their own stories of serving among the "least of these" in this inspiring summons to world-changing faith. Join them as they encounter shut-ins, drunks, inmates, porn stars, and others while striving to follow Christ in their daily lives.
Who Is
I look at the life of Jesus and some times I am flat out perplexed. I see a man. I see God. I see someone who is tender and someone who is tough. Regardless of where he lands on a person’s radar, Jesus adds value and makes the world a better place. The toughest agnostic or the most skeptical atheist hardly would deny his existence as a historical figure. Some call him a teacher. Some call him a revolutionary. I call him a Savior.
In Jesus I find an advocate for the hurting, the voiceless, and the marginalized. With a single sweeping statement, Jesus leveled the playing field for humanity. In one statement, he made all social status melt. Looking into eyes of fallen humanity he said, “that which you have done unto the least of these, you have done unto me.”
It causes me to pause. For a moment reflect. Who is the least of these to you? Who is the one that if put in the middle of your existence, you would cast them out. If you were on the game of Survivor, who would be the first to “least of them” to get your vote? Imagine Tribal Council. Host Jeff Probst spoke, “The tribe has spoken, and [Fill In the Least Here] has been voted off.
Some would say the addicted. Lacking empathy, they would bark, “Get rid of the druggy!”
Some would say the criminal. Without hesitation, they’d bark, “Lock ‘em up!”
Some would say the lost. “Those people need to get saved!”
And on the list would go…
Politician.
Soccer mom.
Cubicle working dad.
Pastor.
Gay.
Lesbian.
Preacher.
Porn producer or user.
Everyone has a least on the radar. The only problem is that while we are searching for them in our mind, selective amnesia occurs. We forget to identify ourselves as someone’s least. I am the “Least of Them” on someone’s radar.
Paul, the writer in the most recently written portion of scripture pronounced a list of least. Then he concluded his letter to the reader with a bomb. “So such were you one of these people at one time.” In short, he said, “Don’t forget what it was like to be with God as your compass.”
Remembering that creates empathy for others.
Until then,
Craig
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