Jesus is the narrow gate through which we enter God’s Kingdom and are enabled to become His eikons again.
No other person in human history has comprehensively demonstrated the ability to partner with God to conquer sickness, personal immorality, systemic evil, political exploitation, religious manipulation, and even death. Jesus is the master of human spirituality. All other teachers fall short.
This is because among all human spiritual teachers, only Jesus Christ demonstrated that he was actually the physical incarnation of God – the divine person graciously sacrificing self in order to repair the breech caused by man. He didn’t just claim to bring God’s kingdom, be demonstrated the powerful rule of God first by healing the sick and releasing people from their spiritual pain and prisons (Matt 4:23), and later by being the first example of resurrection and demonstrated the total defeat of our ultimate enemy, death.
Therefore, Jesus is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6) in God’s plan of human redemption. He is God’s good work to restore us as eikons. Therefore, our mission is simply to follow Jesus and to make followers of Jesus (Matt 28:18-20). In this way, discipleship cannot be seen as merely one facet of our work. Rather, it is the end goal in everything we do. Teaching people how to know and follow Jesus Christ is the only task that will bring about God’s vision of a redeemed world, and it is our only long-term hope of righting the injustices of humanity.
Yet, often discipleship is presented as an option that we may or may not choose to make beyond our profession of faith. Professing our faith “saves” us and get’s us into heaven when we die. But this is a highly distorted view of the gospel (John 14:15) because the transformed life lived obediently to Christ here on earth is a measure of the salvation Jesus promises – as his striking acts of power demonstrated. Therefore, living in the present Kingdom of God and experiencing the powerful rule of God is the only way to experience the salvation of God.
Jason,
Well done! I love the site you have put up for IKON. How exciting.
What would Jesus do? Make breakfast…
THis summer, I was intrigued to study the gospels but starting from the end; Matt.28, Mk.16, Lk. 24, and Jn. 20-21. I asked myself, “What did Jesus fill his time with after he was crucified but before he ascended? We find him being a good human. And similar to a parent, he prepares his children for life. Jesus comes along side the disciples and the two Marys in a very relational yet purposeful manner. I pray that the Ikon Community will emanate Jesus to all in the San Diego County region!
We read about Jesus showing value to Mary, listening intently to the disciples, walking down the road engaged in fellowship, partaking in meals with the 11, reflecting on the Law of Moses and why the Christ had to die and be raised from the dead, exhorting the group to action, re-instating Peter after his denial, commissioning and empowering the disciples to carry on, and yes, making breakfast on the beach too.
Jesus was not found addressing the Roman government, or confronting the sanhedrin, or holding a mass rally… But he was found with his small rag tag group on which the gospel would be carried on for generations to come. This is what Jesus spent doing with his last hours on earth. How cool. Go and do likewise… “Greater things than these will you do in my name!”
Von – Wow, that is really well said! Thanks so much for stopping by here and adding your thoughts. I miss interacting with you in class and gleaning from your wisdom.
I hope things are well with you and your family!