Jesus As Presbyterian

WED., JULY 27, 1988, 1:40 PM
PARKER DORM, HANOVER COLLEGE

I shall let you try this unorthodox teaching, to be completed in two or more parts. You broke your pattern today, but clearly you shall not miss out on this time together. I am available in this way, if you can get and keep your attention on Me. Good luck!

Even though I identify directly with Jesus (for We ultimately are One), I can speak about him as an Other… as He is described in the Gospel stories. The fascinating question I raised in your mind and spirit is: how would Jesus be as a Presbyterian here at Synod School? Let Me offer you some insights.

As you would suspect He would not be on the organizing committee or an official of any kind. Oh, He might teach a class, but it would be unlikely that He would be there every time or be punctual. If He would engage some modern day equivalent of the Samaritan woman at the coffee urn in conversation He might just continue this rather than arriving early in His class, with a lesson plan neatly organized. You might get Him to be the worship leader on a morning or two, but He wouldn’t agree to take this structured responsibility every day, within a time limit. In this sense He wouldn’t be a particularly good Presbyterian.

Jesus would not class himself as a clergyman. Yet since this isn’t a particularly important or relevant designation here He could feel quite comfortable… as a “layman” among those educated and ordained to preach His Gospel.

He certainly would spend time with the “fringe” people. He might seek conversation with the black teenagers and with some adults low in faith. He would tell stories, perhaps even sing some appropriate songs. Some folks He would pursue, while others He would let drift away.

2:04 PM / 2:40 PM

He would have absolutely no worries about what He was not doing as He was doing something that was part of His ministry.

He would be a good meal-time companion, but again He would not be satisfied with being sought out. He would accept no VIP status, but would choose with whom He would eat, and He would not want others to crowd in and seek His favor. He would be gentle, but firm. Oh, He could have some harsh words for some who tried to dominate, or to have Him answer complex theological questions.

Generally He would be comfortable with the Presbyterians here. You mostly accept that love is the Way and that grace abounds. You would rarely hold Him to some Scriptural statement or doctrinal interpretation. You would listen and be polite, being just a bit bothered by His lack of organizational behavior.

And yet at the very time that the administrators and chairpersons and those who set up and are running this complex School were feeling rejected (not in any resentful way, but just feeling truly “last”) He would come into their midst and commend them not so much for the order but for the Christ spirit that He is feeling here. He would listen and would comment in friendly, helpful ways.

He would not need to multiply loaves and fishes, for He would find the food sufficient. He would not be particularly “picky” about His food. He would eat and enjoy what was served. You would pass up a piece of cake, but He wouldn’t. He just might express desire for a glass of wine or a mug of beer with His meal, but He would understand and accept the restriction.

He might sit in on one of your classes, but would not expect to be an honored guest speaker. He would listen and would contribute. Then He would listen some more. He would approve of your health interests and would only urge you to continue the emphasis on positive health and on spirit as the unifying factor. He would even suggest that He, Himself, can be that unifying factor.