Have you ever noticed how every time a new update comes out for an app on your phone or a program on your computer, it gets a new "version" number? I just checked and the latest version of iTunes on my computer is Version 12.10.5.12. Every new version is aimed at making things run better or faster, to make the interface look sleeker, to add new customization or functionality, or to correct bugs and issues with existing functions. Regardless of what the update may be, its goal is to make the user's experience better.
I wonder though, how often do we find ourselves customizing the Jesus we worship? What version of Jesus are you believing in? Is it Jesus 2.0? Or maybe it's Jesus version 4.3.8? Who is YOUR Jesus? And how much does he resemble the Jesus of the Bible?
In this week's lesson, Cody asked us the question, "What is the object of your faith?" If you profess to be a Christian, then you likely know that the answer to that question is, obviously, Jesus. The problem is, a lot of different people who would claim to fall under the banner of Christianity would likely present to you many different descriptions of Jesus...who he is, what he taught, and what it means to follow him. With so many choices, who is the arbiter of truth when it comes to Jesus?
Sadly, in many cases, what we believe about Jesus boils down to what is most appealing to us. With so many flavors to choose from, we simply pick the one that tastes the best to us. In other words, rather than conforming our lives to Jesus, we conform Jesus to our lives.
My family and I have been walking through Cody's "Letters To My Son" devotional and it has been a great time for us to simply reflect upon and talk about what we believe. Last week, as we were discussing what we thought a world without sin would look like, I asked my family what they think it will be like to live in the presence of God one day. Their answers included the usual adjectives: amazing, perfect, etc. Then I asked them, "How many things that we enjoy now in our daily lives, do we expect to be present in the new creation?"
All of a sudden, the mood in our living room shifted. You could tell that each of us was feeling the weight of the question. I had unwittingly stumbled upon one of those questions that really hits you square in the gut.
The truth of the matter is that in my home, as in many Christian homes around the world, we fill our time with all sorts of things. Some of these things aren't bad, in fact they are a necessary part of life; things like working, chores, sleeping, eating, and spending time with one another as a family, etc. I don't know exactly what the new creation will be like, but I imagine some of those activities may still exist...after all, we know from scripture that Adam and Eve worked and ate, even before the fall.
However, we also fill up large amounts of our time with other things; hobbies, interests, and socializing (or social media), and entertainment. These things, in and of themselves, may not be inherently sinful, although they could be depending on the context. However, even if they aren't, if we are honest, we may often prioritize these things (the things we enjoy and that taste good to us) over and above everything else...even Jesus. This is why that question stung so much!
The reason we, like many others, fall into sinful behavior and patterns at times isn't because we don't know what is right, it is because we simply choose to ignore it. You see, the Jesus of scripture (the original Jesus 1.0), doesn't mince words when it comes to describing to the masses what it looks like to follow him. He says "take up your cross and follow me." Now I don't know which selling techniques Jesus had been trained on, but if he was aiming for mass acceptance, he clearly took the wrong approach...right?
Many people, when they heard the hard sayings of Jesus, rejected his teaching and rejected him. People flocked to Jesus in droves to catch a glimpse of his miracles or to receive his blessings. Clearly they displayed faith in his power. But when that faith came with a cost, most were unwilling to pay.
Which brings us to today and the innumerable versions of Jesus that we find circulating around. We've got Buddy Jesus...he just wants to be your friend. We've got Peacekeeper Jesus...he doesn't want to ruffle anybody's feathers. We've got Mechanic Jesus...we only call him when we need something fixed. And of course we've got everyone's favorite, Fairy Jesus...he visits you while you sleep, leaving blessings on your pillow and rainbows follow him everywhere he goes. In "churches" all over the place, on any given Sunday, you can find some "pastor" peddling one of these versions of Jesus. Which one fits you and your lifestyle the best?
So, again, I ask the question from Sunday's sermon...what is the object of your faith? Have you trusted in the real Jesus or some cheap imitation version? And is your faith shaping your life, or is your life shaping your faith?
Hebrews is written to challenge and encourage believers to remain steadfast in their faith even in the face of persecution. For the original audience, the rubber was meeting the road. For them, following Jesus was costly, and so some of them were simply opting to no longer follow him. They were victims of weak faith.
Weak faith is short sighted. It only sees what is right in front of you. When weak faith sees opposition, trials, or suffering, it counts the cost, does the math, and decides that the price is too high. It values instant gratification over perseverance. It is weak because it is rooted in the preservation and glorification of the self.
Strong faith, on the other hand, looks past the immediate and towards the eternal. Being a person of strong faith doesn't make one invincible or a super hero. A person of strong faith can (and will) bleed just the same as anyone else. But when one's faith is rooted in an object of supreme power and worth (like Jesus) then one is themself empowered and sustained in the face of even the fiercest storms.
There are a lot of different versions of Jesus out there. Put your faith in the one true and original. It may cost you something, but the blessings far outweigh the costs. Come meet this Jesus, he's waiting for you in the pages of scripture.
In Grace,
Chris Morris
If you missed this week's sermon (or just want to listen again), follow the link below to listen. Or subscribe to our podcast in iTunes.
Part 1 - What Jesus did you walk away from?
Questions discussed in this sermon:
1. Have you ever considered walking away from your faith?
2. What is the object of your faith?
3. Why did Christians persevere in the First Century?
Next week's lesson: Hebrews 1:5-14
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