"They will know we are Christians, not by our bumper stickers and tshirts - but by our love."

picking up trash

This afternoon, I found myself picking up someone else's trash. It was a task that I had to get done, but half way through the task, I got a bad attitude.

"This isn't my job" was the thought that kept echoing in my mind.

In the middle of the job, something inside me wanted to tell all the people that ever picked up my trash that, "I am sorry!" I absolutely hate cleaning up after people, and in the same way, I know people hate cleaning up after me.

Being a somewhat messy person at times (and if you know me, this is funny), this triggers all sorts of thoughts. So here it is: "I apologize if you've ever had to clean up my trash. I also apologize if you ever find yourself cleaning up my trash in the future."

In the middle of this whole (picking up trash) job, I had a thought.

Most of the kids and people that come to the church I work in have had some sort of bad experience with the religion we call "Christianity." I hear these genres of thought all the time:

-Christians don't represent Christ

-Bad church experiences

-Condemnation

-"They're hypocrites"

-Hate

-Plastic (fake or showy) church

-Complacency

-Negativity

-and whatever else Jesus didn't mean for us to experience in his church.

Trash.

I know Christians who leave their trash all over the place.

I've done it.

You've done it.

Without the constant presence of God, we Christians are great at littering.

I actually know people who won't lay a foot inside of church because of the hurt or pain they've experienced from "church people."

Trash

A never ending mountain of trash.

Jesus even mentions something about people who consider themselves religious. Read the 23rd chapter in the book called Matthew.

Even in the 5th through 7th chapters of Matthew (what we call the Sermon on the Mount), Jesus is continually picking up people's trash.

[ "You have heard that it was said…, but I tell you…" ]

This seems to be Jesus' favorite trash picking line.

Sometimes I sit back and wonder what kinds of trash I leave laying around.

What sorts of negative stereotypes have I created or supported?

I think this is something that needs to be addressed. I think the world has seen enough hypocrisy. I think Christians should either step up to the plate and start following Christ, or stop calling themselves Christians altogether.

Harsh?

I think so. Read Matthew 23.

We Christians have a decision. We can strive to limit our trash by refocusing our hearts and minds on Jesus, or we can continue to be neither hot or cold (and see what Revelation 3:16 says about that one). We can allow the Spirit of God to overwhelm our hearts, or we can remain in our own silly ways.

Jesus continues to resound:

"Come, follow me."

the way of life

"Enter through the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the road is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go through it. How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it."

What on earth does this mean? Before we probe that question, first lets make a couple observations.

- Notice that Jesus starts with the action word, "Enter." The premise of this whole teaching is not simply built upon a person knowing which path to take, but actually taking steps and entering into the right path.

- To Jesus, there is a certain way that leads to life (and few find this way). All of the other ways that don't lead to life, end up leading to destruction. Yes, Jesus breaks it down into two ways. One to life, and one to destruction.

- Jesus teaches that many enter the road of destruction. He also teaches that few enter the road that leads to life.

So according to the logic of Jesus:

- We know there's a "way."

- We also know that life doesn't come simply by knowing the "way," but by entering into it.

- Few actually enter the gate that leads to life, while many pursue on the road leading to destruction.

Let us remember that as Jesus said this, he was wrapping up and concluding a teaching we refer to as the, "Sermon on the Mount." The context behind the words about gates and paths cannot be ignored. If we ignore the rest of Jesus' teaching, we will misinterpret what Jesus was saying.

So, as Jesus finishes the S/M (Sermon on the Mount), he basically says:

"You can either follow the things I'm teaching, which will bring you life; or you can choose the path of the multitudes, which will lead you somewhere else."

Again, he is stressing the importance of his teaching on the mountain.

…following him leads to a "life" as God intended.

…not following him leads to "something" that God never had in mind.

The choice.

The path.

The way.

The decision is ours.

easter, prayer and people

Jesus is probably best known for dying on a cross and coming back to life three days later. Yes, you are correct: we call this Easter.

Currently, we find ourselves in the middle of this season for celebration and remembrance. For thousands of years, people who have seen a fascination in this Jesus have spent time in thanksgiving for what he did.

It's a season of success, of victory, and of new Life.

Young people get time off school. Churches flood with those coming to celebrate Jesus' victory over death. Flowers are bought. New outfits are worn.

All these traditions stem from the death and resurrection of one man.

[something interesting]...

This man we call Jesus once said:

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Of if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, thought you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

So in everything, Do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets."

Jesus' words seem to be split into three sections.

1. Something about the opportunity for a person to ask and receive from God.

2. Something explaining how much God will give "good gifts" to those who ask; like that of a father/son natured relationship.

3. The Golden Rule

The first two seem to compliment each other quite well. But the third one? Why would Jesus talk about prayer in one breath, and then suddenly mention the Golden Rule? What does prayer have to do with the Golden Rule?

Jesus again did this sort of thing when asked what he thought the greatest commandment was:

"Love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Love your neighbor as you love yourself."

Jesus' half brother, James, once said something quite interesting.

"Faith, if it is not accompanied by action, does not exist."

Did Jesus know something about God that we don't? Did James have this same understanding? Does a relational-type connection with God result in a desire to care and love others? Is this the connection between prayer and the Golden Rule?

Throughout the Christian scriptures, actions seem to have a way of following faith.

When people throughout the bible have been exposed to God, those same people have done incredible things. Noah. Moses. David. The Prophets. The disciples. The early Church.

Faith is the stem of their actions.

Their actions stem from their faith.

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This Easter, as we're all remembering and celebrating Jesus' victory over death; let us also remember the pure genius of his words. As we pray and converse with God, let us give in to His call to love others as we love ourselves.

May this Easter be the beginning of a continued fascination with Jesus.

May you find new Life this Easter.