Are you attractive?
April 10, 2009
“as I am lifted up from the earth, I will attract everyone to me.” - Jesus
To be “lited up” was a nice way of reffering to being tortured to death on a Roman stake. Jesus in his humiliating death became attractive. It wasn’t power, but weakness. It wasn’t in dominating, but in being troutured that Jesus became attractive, compelling. I don’t follow this “way.” I seek power and control as neceesary means to being attractive (liked by others ). Churches and organizations I have been a part of have sought to be excellent, succesful, and the best in an effort to be popular. This seems contrary to the way of Jesus.
Another thing that strikes me is just what is attractive? In John’s telling it is Jesus. Are we supposed to develop programs and services that are “attractive” or are we, the community of Jesus, the tangible body of Christ on the earth to be attractive? I believe we are to be attractive and not because we have it all together, have power or control of things or are able to manage life well. Our attractiveness comes, when like Jesus, we are “lifted up from the earth” as an offering and sacrifice to God. The churches attractiveness should be in her (people’s) willingness to choose and embrace suffering for the sake of the world, which itself is broken and suffering. We will be attractive when we love and serve rather than judge and ignore.
Lord be gracious to me, that I may be crucified with you and may you be my strength springing up out of my weakness. Grant me the grace to embrace those who are suffering. Allow me to be part of a community that chooses suffering over comfort and that places others before self.
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Jamie,
My heart is knitted to yours in the prayer you utter.
May the beauty of Jesus be seen in his bride. Amen.
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