Exloring Life Eternal

The more I read/hear/study/reflect upon the gospels, the more I am convinced that Jesus is not really trusted by many who would swear by their baptism otherwise:

In the final analysis, I believe in Jesus & therefore urge others to do the same.

1. Jesus was "homeless": Jesus had no regular place to sleep & dragged his followers along. From the time of his birth in Bethlehem to when he was buried in a borrowed tomb ... Jesus lived a transient life. Whenever he had an opportunity to settle down, he refused it ... to go to other villages. Jesus left His Father's house so that we might dwell with and in Him forever.

2. Jesus was "not rational": called at times a glutton, a crazy man because he didn't eat regularly, & a lawbreaker because he ate handpicked grain as he walked down the road on the sabbath: he ate the wrong thing at the wrong time with the wrong people. Jesus went crazy for us so that we might receive the wisdom of God.

3. Jesus was not "healthy.": he ate with dirty hands, he touched people with contagious diseases, he touched dead bodies, he was touched by women with menstrual flow, and used spit & dirt as part of the healing process. Jesus was regarded as a Physician who could not heal himself.

4. Jesus was "immoral": he was called a friend of sinners because of his willingness to accept party invitations from any & everybody, he permitted women of ill-repute to wash his feet with their hair, to talk with him alone, to receive forgiveness from him; he also invited taxcollectors to follow him, respected foreign oppressors, and helped hypocrites get right through friendly conversations. Jesus was indeed made sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God.

5. Jesus was "moody": he threw a temper-tantrum in the holiest building in the nation, he later cried aloud when he entered the same city though he was treated at the moment like royalty. Oddly, when Jesus was suffering humiliation & torture, he told onlookers to weep for themselves. Jesus was cursed so that we might be blessed.

6. Jesus was killed: he was killed as a traitor to the state, as a religious heretic, as an evil man in every way, even one of those who died with him cursed him; his death was a public spectacle, his last will and testament for his family was spoken on the cross & only written years after it had been put into effect, his burial was hasty, and his body wasn't in the tomb 3 days later. According to Jesus His death would lay the foundation, His Life of Love the final Light.

The question I am faced with then each day then is this:
Will I follow Jesus or not?

If I choose to accept the Lord's invitation each day, the steps along the path become crystal golden stones in the city streets.

How precious, how peaceful, how plentous, how purposeful!

The key is to praise & pray in times of pain & pleasure. Faith is indeed the victory.

Peace,
Mert