[This reflection by Dazz Jones was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 07/Jan/2024]
I’ve found it helpful to have that extra reason and accountability to get into God’s word and its been really fun so far to be following the theme of looking at Jesus.
I hope some of you might be discovering things about Him for the first time! Or that like me, if you’ve been reading the bible for what feels like “a long time” which can make it difficult to find ‘new’ things that we’ll be reminded of something we’ve forgotten or be reminded of things we’ve become too familiar with.
The struggle with the Bible being as old as it is, means that sometimes it’s hard to contextualise the stories to our own lives as it can feel a bit detached from our current reality. The thing I’m particularly enjoying at the moment is the reminder that Jesus was a real human being. Now, I don’t think I’d forgotten that fact, but I do feel particularly aware of it at the moment, as we read about Him specifically and as we look forward to reading more about His interactions with people.
The truth that he was a living breathing human being with thoughts, feelings and opinions about things is really significant for me right now. When I feel anxious, I can know that Jesus felt that too, if I feel excited he can relate to that. When people frustrate me or intrigue me and I read about Jesus interacting with people, I know that he would have been having thoughts, feelings and opinions about them too. Yet he always chooses to show people love and compassion; I get the impression that He would always find the best in anyone and pursue that wholeheartedly.
As difficult as that can be I think it’s the greatest of goals. Jesus asked us simply to Love God and Love others, and I think one of the best ways we can Love God is by loving others. Jesus showed us the way whilst he lived here among us and I’m excited to rediscover the significance of his living, breathing example over these next 90(ish) days.
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Last week’s reflection: Baptisms & Blessings by Martin Shorey
Contributed by Dazz Jones; © Dazz Jones