Jesus Says

Jesus says a lot of things.

Jesus says don’t be afraid. Jesus says you are blessed. Jesus says you are light. Jesus says love your neighbour. And your enemy. Jesus says love each other the way I showed you to love. Jesus says whatever you do - or don’t - to the least of people, you do to me. Jesus says treat others as you would have them treat you. Jesus says you, your self, your soul, is more important than stuff. Jesus says be humble, care for others, serve each other. Jesus says don’t judge others. Jesus says forgive.

Jesus says a lot more than that.

Jesus says. And we wonder, we interpret, we make statements, we create traditions, write books and preach sermons. Over centuries, we arrive here.

Jesus says a lot of things. Are we really listening?

The season of Epiphany wraps up this week. It’s the season of stories that reveal who Jesus is and, I hope, reveals how that same spirit can be alive in us. It begins with the light of the star that guides the magi to Jesus and concludes with the Transfiguration story, when a great light shines through Jesus on a mountain top, he’s seen with Moses and Elijah and a cloud appears and a voice says “this is my son, listen to him.”

Great story. Next week, we’ll head into the season of Lent, a time of reflection inspired by the story of Jesus going into the wilderness to find himself before he goes into ministry. Another great story.

Wait, let’s go back for a minute. The Transfiguration story might end there, but Jesus’ story doesn’t. He and the three disciples that had accompanied him up the mountain to pray come down and join the others below. A man calls out to Jesus to help his son who is “possessed of an evil spirit” because Jesus’ disciples, the ones who had remained at the foot of the mountain, couldn’t help him. Jesus, perhaps a little cranky after a night on a mountain, says “you faithless generation, how long do I have to be with you?” But, of course, he heals the son.

I think the Transfiguration story is a great story. I think it reveals the divine spirit that’s in Jesus, the same divine spirit he tries, time and again, to teach us is in each and every living thing, especially us. But the shining light on the mountain comes down into the valley of everyday and does what it’s meant to, and, if Jesus seems cranky that he had to do it himself, maybe what he’s trying to say is “when will you start to listen to me?”

Listen. Between the mountain tops and deep valleys of our days, a voice says “listen to him.” That’s the greatest wisdom of all. I wonder at how hard we try to explain away, make conditional, even build walls around what’s true in how Jesus’ life and words speak. Sometimes it’s less about what’s true and more about what we desire. Sometimes we’ll “use it” to judge, exclude, even control others. There are too many examples in the world today.

Listen. Perhaps it’s time to stop being Christian and just be Jesus.