For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,
so that everyone who believes in him might not perish
but might have eternal life.
~ John 3:16
At the deepest level, faith is counter-intuitive. And no one has taught this better to us that Jesus himself.
History is written by victors. And victors are conquering generals, powerful kings and emperors, big business moguls and industrialists. Yet, when Jesus came to save the world, he came as a poor baby born in a manger and grew up to be a carpenter’s son. And yet, he changed the world like no other king or general or rich man.
Famous and important people are remembered by the battles they have won – either in the battle field or in courts and boardrooms. Jesus never went to battle and, on the contrary, his life ended on the cross rather ignominiously. And yet, he has won more followers and disciples who have accomplished more than many famous and important men and women.
The rich, the important and the powerful. They all want to be the first. They all want to be served and kowtowed to. This itinerant preacher would rather be last and he’d rather serve. He preached and practiced love in a world gone mad with hatred, forgiveness in a world driven by revenge, caring and sharing in a world given to greed and selfishness.
“Lord Jesus, show me and teach me your ways which are often in contradiction with the ways of the world.”