What (Exactly) IS The Love of Jesus?
It was mind-blowing when Saul, our lead missionary in Pakistan, was preparing for his wedding.
Certain parts of it would last for weeks, with entirely different attire, rituals, and terminology — it was weird even calling it a wedding. Other than the result, nearly everything else was different — very different.
However different and whatever mental incongruities I had — they were mine. This ceremony would end with Saul and Samina being every bit as married as my wife and I are.
I tell this story to highlight how two cultures can have very different expressions of everyday events. We’ve seen this throughout history right up to today. Even our variety of languages is a great example.
Religion apparently missed this day of class.
Yes, Christianity seems to lay exclusive claims to multiple things or concepts. An ironic example (given my opening story) is how they claim who or what can participate in a wedding.
Today, however, I aim for a more esoteric item — “the love of Jesus.” Without Jesus (they would have us believe), we are all mired in our sin, incapable of good, and certainly incapable of “the love of Jesus.”
These beliefs religion spout as fact are simply the conjecture of theologians — so let us look at what history shows us to be true.
The beautiful sculpture pictured at the beginning of this article — (I’ll argue) is a reminder of the love of Jesus.
However, the people it was built to represent (the Choctaw Indian Nation) wouldn’t have called it that, nor would the church.
For starters, they (the Choctaw) probably weren’t too familiar with the first-century Jewish rabbi — no matter how popular he was back home. And even if they were aware — they were far too busy recovering from the injustices perpetrated by people claiming to follow that rabbi to see his love.
Yet, after decades of atrocities at the hands of Christians, including forced conversions and slaughter, and shortly after The Trail of Tears (1847) had killed 20% of its people, tribal leaders heard of a severe famine in Ireland. Heartbroken by the stories and despite their loss and financial hardship, they raised what would be $5,000 in today’s economy — and sent it to Ireland.
Keep in mind, at this point, the only “white” people they had seen had destroyed an entire civilization — but that wouldn’t stop the Choctaw.
Isn’t it about time we (the church) realize that the “love of Jesus” isn’t something Christians “own”? It is, however, something Christians should reflect.
I find it to be 100% fair to ask the question — “Who showed the love of Jesus more?” The Choctaw (aka the Samaritan) or the Christians?
It should be crystal clear. Jesus wasn’t one to be ambiguous.
What say you? Agree? Disagree? Let me know by clapping and commenting below!!
