He Wasn't Poor so We could be Rich

As I observe the history of the Jesus-following movement, I believe that vibrancy and effectiveness in the movement tends to be accompanied by two circumstances. First, the movement is not sanctioned by the ruling government and societal values, or it is outright opposed by these factors. Second, the movement becomes attractive to people of limited means. I realize that humanists might claim that this is due to people needing means of escape when under stress. However, in a number of historical situations, revivals and renewal resulted in significant positive change in the lives of people. Employment improved, family stress stabilized, health care gained ground, the needs of the poor were met, and injustices were challenged. (There are those who claim that the Wesleyan revival in England saved that country from a revolution similar to that which ravaged France, due to living improvements among England's working class that accompanied the revival.)

I suggest that this kind of spiritual surge doesn't happen when the good news of Jesus is privatized to nothing more than what we get out of it. "I get to go to heaven." "Jesus solves my problems." "Jesus gives me peace." These motivations are important, but incomplete by themselves. Jesus main invitation to his first disciples was, "follow me." Essentially that means, "Join me in what God is doing in and through me in this world." Brennan Manning says it better than me. "He was not poor that we might be rich. He was not mocked that we might be honored. He was not laughed at that we might be lauded. On the contrary, he revealed a picture meant to include you and me...We are to strip ourselves of earthly cares and wisdom, all desires for human praise, greediness for any kind of comfort, spiritual consolations included... The gospel is a summons to be stripped of those fine pretenses...the gospel is absurd and the life of Jesus is meaningless unless we believe that He lived, died, and rose again with but one purpose in mind: to make brand new creations." (The Furious Longing of God by Brennan Manning. pp. 116, 117, 125.)

Your thoughts on this...?

Just enjoyed a relaxing, peaceful, and fun week on Kentucky Lake. Hope your summer is going well. I'll see you around the next bend in the river...probably sometime during the 4th of July weekend.