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"His purpose was not to show off but to show up."

A thought by Max Lucado from his book, When God Whispers Your Name (p. 23). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)

Have you ever thought about that?  Jesus as a kid, as a teenager and even as an adult could have been one big show off.  I not sure but if we had his power we might have shown off just a little.  Maybe.

Max says, “He went to great pains to be as human as the guy down the street. He didn’t need to study, but he still went to the synagogue. He had no need for income, but he still worked in the workshop. He had known the fellowship of angels and heard the harps of heaven, yet he still went to parties thrown by tax collectors. And upon his shoulders rested the challenge of redeeming creation, but he still took time to walk ninety miles from Jericho to Cana to go to a wedding.”

Max goes on, “As a result, people liked him. Oh, there were those who chaffed at his claims. They called him a blasphemer, but they never called him a braggart. They accused him of heresy, but never arrogance. He was branded as a radical, but never called unapproachable.

“There is no hint that he ever used his heavenly status for personal gain. Ever. You just don’t get the impression that his neighbors grew sick of his haughtiness and asked, ‘Well, who do you think made you God?’

Max then says, “His faith made him likable, not detestable. Would that ours would do the same!

“Where did we get the notion that a good Christian is a solemn Christian? Who started the rumor that the sign of a disciple is a long face? How did we create this idea that the truly gifted are the heavy-hearted?”

Maybe if as Christians showed that we enjoy our life it would make a difference?  Don’t you think it would?


Yes, yes!

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