The Way of Jesus
Several years ago, while living in Jerusalem, our evening was interrupted by the sound of sirens warning of incoming missiles from Gaza.
A few nights before that one, our anniversary date was cut short as we sat in the stairwell of a hotel in Tel Aviv, along with several Israeli’s, amidst the same glaring noise. Shortly after we decided to return home to be with our 3 kids in Jerusalem.
What was the mission of Jesus? Why did He come to earth? Why did the people of Nazareth want to throw Jesus off a cliff?
We discover our answers from a passage in the New Testament book of Luke.
Jesus, the local boy, came to Nazareth as an itinerant rabbi and was given an opportunity to have his say. His audience, full of proud Nazarenes, understood Isaiah 61 to mean foreign neighbors would serve them and make them wealthy. With everyone listening intently Jesus read this familiar and deeply beloved passage. Yet to their shock and amazement he stops reading at the very point when judgment and servitude is pronounced on the Gentiles.
“I wish I would have talked about Jesus more,” a colleague who has given more than 30 years to living and working overseas shared. He went on to explain what it means to follow Jesus. I will be writing several articles to share his insightful thoughts. I pray you will have a greater understanding of living in the Kingdom of God.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Matt. 5:4
