Oh, How I Love Jesus!
Since I began attending a Unitarian Universalist Church various people in various states of concern have asked me about my relationship with Jesus. In particular, many people are concerned that I still believe in the divinity of Jesus.
Because I generally do not like to discuss this topic, I typically say something like, "I don't think Jesus is any less divine than anyone else." This answer usually gets a laugh or an angry reaction. Either way, the topic is usually changed.
In my exploration of spirituality and religion I have gained and lost many beliefs and values. I have rejoiced as I have found freedom and I have mourned the loss of the God I once knew. I have marveled at new ideas and worked hard to construct my own theology. One thing that has remained constant is my appreciation for Jesus.
Christianity has its roots in the Jesus' teachings. Though today's popular Christianity and I are not the best of friends it does not mean that I do not like Jesus. One of my professors in graduate school said, and I agree that, "Jesus is not the problem." In all that I have done I have tried to hold on to the teachings of Jesus. In all that I hope to do I hope to hold onto the teachings of Jesus. There are things that Jesus said that are just hard to argue with; even if you go to a heathen Unitarian Universalist Church.
So, I would like this to be the first of a few posts on why I still, after all of these years, love Jesus.
Jesus said, "Don't judge if you don't want to be judged. The measure you use on others will be used on you."
Of all of the sermons that I have ever heard on this phrase, I have only ever heard two sermons: Either the sermon that tried to explain that judging is really okay in certain situations or the sermon that tried to tell us that God will judge us the way we judge other people.
What I have gained from Jesus here is that I should try not to judge people. To me this means that I should try not to assign value to people based on actions or attitude. I should value each person equally because each person’s humanity is inherently valuable. Also, I should be careful when I am in a situation where I make a judgment about other people (because we all have to make judgments). I should be gentle and compassionate so that when I am in a situation where I am being judged, people will be gentle and compassionate with me.
Not that Jesus is the only person who ever said any of this, but I believe he did say it. And this is one of those things that is really hard to argue with. And that is one reason why, after all I have seen, done and learned, I still love Jesus.
Because I generally do not like to discuss this topic, I typically say something like, "I don't think Jesus is any less divine than anyone else." This answer usually gets a laugh or an angry reaction. Either way, the topic is usually changed.
In my exploration of spirituality and religion I have gained and lost many beliefs and values. I have rejoiced as I have found freedom and I have mourned the loss of the God I once knew. I have marveled at new ideas and worked hard to construct my own theology. One thing that has remained constant is my appreciation for Jesus.
Christianity has its roots in the Jesus' teachings. Though today's popular Christianity and I are not the best of friends it does not mean that I do not like Jesus. One of my professors in graduate school said, and I agree that, "Jesus is not the problem." In all that I have done I have tried to hold on to the teachings of Jesus. In all that I hope to do I hope to hold onto the teachings of Jesus. There are things that Jesus said that are just hard to argue with; even if you go to a heathen Unitarian Universalist Church.
So, I would like this to be the first of a few posts on why I still, after all of these years, love Jesus.
Jesus said, "Don't judge if you don't want to be judged. The measure you use on others will be used on you."
Of all of the sermons that I have ever heard on this phrase, I have only ever heard two sermons: Either the sermon that tried to explain that judging is really okay in certain situations or the sermon that tried to tell us that God will judge us the way we judge other people.
What I have gained from Jesus here is that I should try not to judge people. To me this means that I should try not to assign value to people based on actions or attitude. I should value each person equally because each person’s humanity is inherently valuable. Also, I should be careful when I am in a situation where I make a judgment about other people (because we all have to make judgments). I should be gentle and compassionate so that when I am in a situation where I am being judged, people will be gentle and compassionate with me.
Not that Jesus is the only person who ever said any of this, but I believe he did say it. And this is one of those things that is really hard to argue with. And that is one reason why, after all I have seen, done and learned, I still love Jesus.
Labels: Church, Jesus' Teachings, Unitarian Universalism
posted by Cody at 7:07 PM
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