How Cool Can Church Get?

The gospels document the unpredictable sociability of Jesus.

He was the people’s kind of person.

There’s a party on, and the hosts run out of drinks and Voila! He conjures up the resources and the impending shame is dealt with and the celebrations continue.

His earthly ministry kicks off with an unforgettable demonstration that He is the source and sustainer of life celebrations.

Jesus unfolded life changing moments at unusual locations.

At one point he is teaching his followers on the top of a mountain, at another opportunity he is enlightening them near a calm lake, then yet again he is feeding a 5000 plus congregation seated in a grassy area, establishing that He is a provider who can multiply little into much.

His unpredictability is displayed again and again.

At times he gets into a boat to cross over to the other side of the sea, then he chooses to arrive into town riding on a donkey and at another time, he is taking a walk, not on land but majestically treading on water, defying the laws of nature.

At each appearance, he continues to amaze. Healing the sick, rebuking demons.

At His Word, the lame walk, the blind see, the deaf hear and the dumb speak.

People throng to Him and follow Him with delight. He shows them that He is the pathway to peace, the true source of joy and the master of life secrets.

He always moved with Authority. He spoke with unmatched Wisdom.

‘Who is he?’ they wondered.

‘Isn’t he the carpenter’s son?’ the sceptics said.

Their attitude and lack of revelation causes many to miss out on his miracle working power at Nazareth.

Then, as if all previous displays of His astonishing power are not enough, he takes those who believe into a deeper realm. And when they are sad, thinking they have lost something or someone very dear he amazes them that their loss can be resurrected, restored because of His Love and by His Power.

Jesus revels in the unthinkable. He loves sharing glimpses of the heavenly realm with those he can trust. He invites Peter, James, and John to an exclusive mountaintop spectacle. Let’s just pause and think about it. These Jewish men have been conditioned to believe that Elijah and Moses are long dead and gone. Chosen, Holy men of God whom they still revere, and Jesus facilitates an opportunity for them to witness their ancestors, alive and in touch with Him.

I am reminded of an incident that happened some years back.

A colleague of mine joined me to our Church service one Sunday. She was from a catholic family.

After the sermon, when the Preacher gave an altar call to all those who needed to say the prayer of salvation, I encouraged her to go forward and receive the love and forgiveness of Jesus.

After the service was over, I felt a bit guilty, thinking maybe I was a bit pushy and forceful to put her on the spot. ‘what if she was not ready?’ The thought troubled me.

I also learnt that after losing her father this young woman had become quite loose and careless with her life. Shortly her mother too passed away and rumours were that her mother died out of depression not able to take the stress of her daughter’s reckless lifestyle.

None of these things bothered me. What continued to trouble me was thinking that maybe I had forced her to answer the altar call at church that Sunday.

That week my family moved to another country.

Some days later, I received a call from this lady. ‘I have been longing and trying to reach you and talk to you’ she said sounding excited over the phone. ‘I had a dream, and I saw both my parents holding hands and smiling at me, they were looking happy. I had this dream the week you took me to church.’ She said and went on to describe how happy and peaceful her life has been since that day at church. She thanked me for inviting her to church that day.

I was relieved. Accepting Jesus through a simple prayer had turned things around for yet another person. I felt like the dream was from Jesus trying to assure this young lady that she is loved, forgiven and more importantly that nothing is lost.

Church going sounds cool again.

The heart, mind and lives of those under the power of the Name of Jesus are changed forever.

Who is He?

He is the role model for the Ekklesia, the church which he calls is his bride, he is the fulfilment of prophesy, the guiding force behind the demonstration of power in the church, the only all sufficient saviour of the world.

Bible Reference:

After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.

Mathew Chapter 17 (NIV)