Jesus and the Disenfranchised.

[Nate Flynn]

 

 

I was talking with a coworker about Jesus. Stop right there. It was so simple to just talk about Jesus. Not easy, but simple. I find it easier to get bogged down in philosophical or religious discussion, instead of what really is the crux: Jesus. And Gino Geraci is fond of saying, "If  you're wrong about Jesus, it doesn't matter what you're right about." There's a powerful truth and principle there for our apologetics and relationships. Again, many times I attempt to discuss my faith and I do not mention Jesus until further into the conversation. Now that's not wrong on all occasions, but there's something raw about bringing the Name of Jesus into the conversation early, even if that makes the conversation very short.

 

My coworker had approached me about an offensive situation regarding politics (apparently, as she later confessed, she had labeled me as a Republican and was offended by something I said). Somehow I blurted it out very early in the conversation: "God has a crazy love for you, and that's why He sent His Son Jesus to the cross!"  Wow, was that relevant? Well, yes, because Jesus is always relevant. Was there poise and tact in my words? I don't fully know. But I do know that if I don't get that message across to this person, she'll never have a chance to repent and receive that awesome gift from God of eternal life in Heaven.

She replied, "Well, I believe Jesus was a raging liberal at heart!"

I said, "What do you mean?"

"He was very supportive of all disenfranchised groups, like women, for example."

I repeated the word, slowly: "dis-en-fran-chised." It means :  to deprive of a franchise, of a legal right, or of some privilege or immunity; especially :  to deprive of the right to vote.

I visualized Jesus walking around with His long flowing hair, beard, sandals, and a tightly fitting shirt that says,

"Free Women."

Studying who Jesus was and why He came to earth is paramount to understanding the Gospel. Otherwise, we could be very lost. For instance, what does it mean for Jesus to treat women the way He did? Or men, for that matter? What does it mean when He let Mary wash and dry His feet with her hair? What does it mean that Jesus picked 12 disciples, mostly fishermen? And that he dined with prostitutes and tax collectors? What does it mean that Jesus chose to heal sometimes and not other times? What does it mean that He said, "If you love me, you'll keep my commandments?"

In the next blog, we'll unpack some of these questions.

John and Gary, lets have a conversation about some of these questions!

Thanks and love,

Nate.