Regardless of what one believes of Jesus, among the things he said was this: “If you’ve seen me, you’ve seen the father.” What an outlandish statement.
People debate constantly about the nature of God. Does he want us to destroy our enemies, or love them? What are the absolutes, if any, that he considers sin? Does he torment unbelievers for eternity, or give everyone a pass in the end? The dialogue gets heated to the point of rudeness, all in the name of seeking truth.
I’ve noticed that Christ’s followers almost always promote the side of him that fits their belief of God’s character. One group focuses on Jesus forgiving a woman caught in the act of breaking a law punishable by death. Another reminds us that he angrily rebuked the insincere and toppled a greedy commercial enterprise.
Though there are certainly those who disagree, my personal belief is that Jesus identified more with the humble than the proud. I think he leaned heavily toward mercy rather than judgment. That he chose grace over toeing the line. Peace instead of conflict, whenever possible. And I’m absolutely convinced that he looked to the heart and preferred seekers to the religious. But maybe I’m jaded by my own assumptions.
If we want to know what God is like, the suggestion of the one who claimed to be his son is this: “Look at me.” Sadly, it’s not so easy, but it’s a place to start.
Great post! Glad to see a new one. Hope you have a blessed day!
I am a seeker and I feel God at work in my life. That personal connection leaves me unconcerned about the status of my soul according to the so-called religious experts. Thanks for another thought-provoking post.
Wow … so true. It boils down to a relationship with our creator. A relationship is built by taking time to get to know someone. And that is a journey in itself.