Oof – The moment when the internal frustration has reached a peaked temperature and expounds a release.
I wonder if Jesus experienced that moment when He walked into the temple and saw the money changers using the church for other means not its true purpose.
Recently I was connecting with some dear pastor friends of mine. You could hear their internal frustration of trying to motivate the church to be that overwhelming place of love, grace, and reach. We begin to ask ourselves the question, What would happen if Jesus walked into some of our churches today?
If He had a carnal mind would He think, Oof you idiots, what have you made of the church!
There are so many people across the world who have no desire to enter a church. They feel that they will be judged, shunned, criticized, or even made to feel less than. That they somehow don’t measure up to the high standard that we believe the church attender should. And this is our fault!
We have presented this persona by our actions, words, and quickness to cast our ideological views. At the end of the day their blood is on our hands as a church because we have not reached with LOVE and GRACE. It is NOT our job to change ANYONE! It is our job to love people right where they are in the journey of life as Jesus did during His earthly ministry and still does today. Should something need to change in a person’s life God will do that through the power of His Holy Spirit and His unconditional love and mercy. If it doesn’t need to change then He will leave it. We are not called to change anyone we are called to LOVE! Let God be God and bring about the changes He wants to occur.
Not only is the church a place with four walls, it is also Christians living out the grace, love, and reach of Christ in everyday lives. Have we become so distracted and consumed with programs, social gatherings, business meetings, ladies ministry covered dish lunches, and events that seem to have no purpose that we have forgotten to be a reflection of Christ and a grace reached hand to our neighbor? People are hurting and wanting something real. The church has the opportunity to be exactly what they need.
I wonder what Jesus would say if He walked into our church today. . . would He really see love…
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” – Matthew 22:36-40
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” – Matthew 28:19-20
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