Both/and: Jesus as example; Christ in us (Week 3:6)

Topic: Week 3- Jesus as Lord
Theme for 6 Weeks- Who is Jesus and what difference does it make?

Read Galatians 2:19-20; 4:19

One of the more common ways I have come to describe this way of Jesus, a life with God, and this life in the kingdom of God is “both/and.” With every book or conversation or study we don’t need to include the “both/and.” Often we focus on a particular topic or issue in our life that needs to be addressed, and it may not have balance in terms of the entire message of the kingdom. And, that’s appropriate.

But, we need to continually remind ourselves of this balance or else we wind up with half of the good news or half of the Story.

This week’s focus on discipleship (following after, learning from Jesus) and imitation (just as Jesus, so we) is needed more than ever in our world by Christians, in my opinion. Jesus is Lord- not Caesar, not any ideology, not any nation, not any system, not any other person. We bow to Jesus as Lord now in what the entire creation will do eventually (Philippians 2:9-11).

We follow him. He is Lord, he is our example, he is The Way. The method matches the message. We are to walk as he walked (1 John 2:6). In doing so, this is where we find life and where others will see Jesus in us as we see Jesus in the ones we serve (Matthew 25:30).

But, I feel compelled to add the other piece of the whole at the end of this week: the “and.” It is the risen Christ, living in us, that is part of the whole. While it may appear strange to say, and garbled, this is our life: we follow Jesus and walk as he walked, and we do this as Christ is living in us (Galatians 2:20). It is Christ who is being formed in us (Galatians 4:19).

To take the steps in this radical way- to extend mercy, welcome outsiders, love enemies, live with simplicity, show forgiveness, resist violence- is to follow Jesus as Lord. To follow Jesus, God Incarnate. And, we are not left alone, for he has sent us his Spirit to point us to Jesus and to live within us.

That empowers me and gives me hope! Jesus is Lord!

Question: As you seek to follow Jesus, what does it mean for you that “Christ lives in” you?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, you are Lord. I acknowledge that now for my life, and the entire world will bend the knee and confess that some day. As you live in me, Christ, I seek to walk as you walked. May you be formed in me, day by day, so I may love as you loved. In your name I pray, Amen.