Not a Tame Man

John’s Gospel was written during a time of great persecution.  It was written to reassure our hearts that Jesus was and is the Saviour of the world. The One Man we could trust to redeem the world, wash away our sin and raise the dead.

Unlike the other gospels, John does not sneak up on us regarding this magnificent truth. He declares it outright from the beginning.

The God of the Old Testament was a God who could weep over His brides’ betrayal; rise in judgement at the disobedience of his children and rejoice at their return. But He was also a God unseen.

What would happen if He became like us? A man we could see, touch, and hear? What kind of man would He be?

He might well be a passionate man. A man who embraced and enjoyed life, who wept and celebrated with friends. He might be a man accused of enjoying too much wine and enjoying it with all the wrong kinds of people. He would be a good man, but certainly not a tame man.

He would be a man whose love for His bride could very well spill over into severe judgement toward anyone who would do her harm. He would be a shrewd man, able to trap His enemies in their own words.

He would be a man who condemned hypocrisy, striking fear into hard hearts. He would be a man who knew how to swing a whip, silence an enemy and scatter the proud.

Yet He would also be a meek man, lifting up the weak, walking side-by-side with the downcast and giving strength to those wearied by their sin. In short, He would be a man very much like Jesus of Nazareth.

He would not be the kind of man who came into the world looking for votes. He would not come asking us if we would be pleased to accept Him. He would come promising that He, the Lord of glory and judge of all the earth, was ready to show mercy and gladly welcome all who came to Him.

He would not come to finance the increase of your government, but the increase of His. He would not come to rebuild our broken and rebellious kingdom, but to establish His.

And He would surprise us all when He came, not looking to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.

This Jesus, the king of kings, calls you to walk with Him today. To come to Him for daily bread. To cast your cares upon Him. To repent of your sin. To serve your neighbour, obey His commands, love the stranger and bring the good news to those around you through all that you say and do.

He has not commanded you to be successful, He has commanded you to serve. He is not calling you to be liked, applauded or praised. He has called you to follow Him today and to do it with a glad heart.