Dear Self,
Take note – your view of Jesus tends to shrink over time. It’s not that your theology itself drifts, but that sometimes you so focus on one aspect of Jesus that you tend to forget the rest. The result is a shrinking Jesus (in your faith). And as your shrinking Jesus becomes small Jesus he is easily eclipsed by idols. This is why you sometimes lack passion and earnestness for the kingdom and the glory of God. This is why the church is shrinking in North America – because small Jesus does not inspire awe, command respect, lead to worship, nor compel us to talk of him (much less suffer for him). And small Jesus is too little to arrest the attention of the world.
So, please remember – Jesus is bigger than you tend to think. He is the perfect revelation of God, the radiance of his glory, the exact imprint of his nature; he is the Creator and Sustainer of all that exists. Everything belongs to him and exists for him. He is the author of your salvation, the perfector of your faith, and the only one in whom you can find life.
I am the Lead Pastor of Redeemer Fellowship; husband to Jen; Dad to Katherine, Elias, Madeline, and Kilian. If you're in town you can probably find me in the local coffee house or running through the neighborhoods.
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You’re so right, thanks for pointing it out afresh Joe!
Good “note to self” on Big Jesus. It became a note to “myself” … how true we allow with the slippage of time for Jesus to become adequate, hum-drum to the point He no longer holds any authority in our lives. I thought of the people’s reaction in NT time … And they were astonished at His teaching, for His word was with authority. (Lk 4:32) May He be in today’s time … my life.
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