Jesus in Everyday Life

We are reminded that the Word became flesh (John 1:14) and moved into the neighborhood.  Jesus is Immanuel – “God with us” – and he came to this earth as a human being and set up shop in the life of a community.  He didn’t tuck himself away in a castle or temple or government palace.  He hung out in the streets, the marketplace, and the local taverns.  In contemporary terms he was at the local Starbucks, community center, and little league baseball complex.  He met people where they were.  He listened and cared for those in need.  If we are truly his disciples then we are to embody the word, deed, and life of Jesus into every aspect of our lives. We are to live authentically and distinctively in our world so that people can see Jesus and not just religious robots.         

Throughout the Gospel accounts, you see Jesus enter into the lives of people and meet them where they are.  He went out to the sea and recruited local fisherman.  He broke all conventional wisdom and engaged in conversation with a Samaritan woman at the well.  He do the unthinkable and found a tax collector sitting in a tree and invited himself over for dinner .  

See a pattern?  Jesus didn’t shy away from the boundaries that we often put against others instead he initiated conversations with blue-collar workers, scandalous women, and notorious tax collectors. He brought the Good News of the Gospel to people in a real and authentic way.  He wasn’t offering people self--help talk.  It wasn’t 5 steps to a better you.  It is the life-giving, life-saving, life-changing love of God, found in the person and work of Jesus Christ.  When we live this way, we also bring the Good News to the places where we live, work, and play.