Choosing Jesus

I choose Jesus.

"Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt. Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever."

Today's readings are hard; they confront us - we respond emotionally to what they imply. But in the end what matters is what we do about it. We can walk away and believe "I'm fine" and blame others. Or, we can take a serious look at our self and our lives and we can choose Jesus - really - truly choose Jesus.

Many many pastors and priests, in their sermons and messages express concerns for the Church. We must stop using this language. The Church - the Body of Christ throughout the ages is beautiful and wonderful and functioning as Christ among us. The concern we have is not for the Church. The concern we have is that we are NOT Church. The concern is for us; those who call ourselves followers of Christ, those who raise hands, those who fall to knees, those who choose Jesus yet do not follow Him. The concern is for us! Pastors, ministers and priests around the world are concerned - the nature of Jesus is not reflected in our hearts and minds; the symptoms of being of Christ are not evident in our lives. We can call ourselves Church and we claim the banner of Christ, but neither act makes us Christian.

It is time for direct talk and earnest self reflection. It is time we hear and listen to Jesus.

Today we read what Jesus says to the church in Sardis. Now some try to read away what Jesus says to the churches as not relevant to us here and now - that was Jesus talking to them, over there way back then. Yet Jesus commands all who have ears to hear what He says to the churches. And what does He say to Sardis? "I know your deeds, that you have a name [a reputation] that you are alive, but you are dead." You are dead? They have a reputation for life, they look alive doing churchy Christian stuff; but Jesus knows the truth and He pronounces them dead. "Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, those things which are about to die; I have found your deeds are not completed in the sight of My God." (Revelation 3)  Being alive in Jesus is comprehensive and complete. Life comes with Jesus present in every moment and movement of our life. Ask - does this describe me and my congregation? It is time to be real; it is time to be authentic; it is time we live exclusively for Jesus.

Again today we are told there are consequences. Again we are told there is a reckoning. Again we are told some will be with God and others will not. Over and over again Jesus asks us to use our ears, to hear and listen. Let today be the day we hear what Jesus is saying to us. Let today be the day we take Jesus out of the box and invite Him into every part of our life. Let today be the day we choose Jesus. Amen.

"Remember what you have received and heard; and keep it, and repent."

For You have been my help,

And in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy.

My soul clings to You;

Your right hand upholds me.