“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:14
Imagine what things would be like if Jesus (the Word) moved in to your neighbourhood. Think of the things that are happening around where you live. In what things do you think He would participate? Where do you think Jesus could be found? Before you read further, take a minute to think about it… football matches, family barbecues, sitting with the homeless to have a chat?
The word ‘dwelt’ or lived, in the original language of Greek, means literally, to set up a tent. So, literally, the Word (Jesus) set up His tent among us. Jesus came into the world as a human being, someone we can relate to, and He moved into the neighbourhood! He did so, because He wanted to show us who God the Father is. He wanted to show us what God was like, and how much He loves us. He went to weddings, went to the synagogue, hung out at the beach, was often a dinner guest, and spent time with many different kinds of people.
Jesus did some radical things that showed God’s love. But, it makes sense, because God’s love for us is radical. He spent time with all kinds of people – church officials, children, Roman government officials, prostitutes, criminals, Samaritans (a people that the Jews despised), women, the poor and needy, and disabled, to name a few. He showed that God’s love could reach everyone, and that everyone was in need of this great love. Through showing this love people were forgiven, relationships were restored, people were healed, and they lived in freedom and hope.
Have you ever thought that you could have such an impact? Maybe with this approach – with ‘setting up your tent’, being with the people - do what they do, spend time with them, and point them to the Father through actions first, then words, we could have a great impact.
Years ago in my missionary career, I began to look at the number of relationships I had with people who were not Christians – followers of Christ. Then I began to consider, how intentional am I being about being involved in their lives and allowing them to be a part of my life. The strategy for simply going up to a stranger, or even someone with whom there was very little level of relationship and talking about Jesus led to their becoming annoyed and immediately closed the door for further conversations. However, as I began to simply talk with people, and slowly share my life with them, allowing them to see that any words I said were given authority by my actions, they were more open. I've found Jesus in places I didn't expect, and have found God already at work in peoples lives.
So, this will be the focus of the blog - life as mission. We pray 'Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. God uses us to see bring the Kingdom and see His will done on earth; and that, through every day life.
