They were the smarter ones, but they wanted to know where Jesus was.
As a new pastor in the beginning stages of discerning my call, I wrote a paper on my theology. I don't recall what all I wrote. But I do remember having to answer for it in front of a group of colleagues.
Of course, that group was more experienced and theologically trained than I was. And they asked some tough questions that showed it. I could tell this was important. Then someone said, "John, where's Jesus?" I wasn't quite sure what that meant. Like, where is he now? It didn't sound like a deep question.
The person said they appreciated what I had written, but in all my words, I only used the name Jesus once. I responded with something about Jesus being the foundation of everything I believe about faith in God, and that I thought that was something I could always assume.
I got through that and many more interviews along the way. That comment, though, helped me understand the importance of what we believe about Jesus.
We don't know the exact teaching that prompted the letter of Colossians. Assuming this is a letter written from the apostle Paul, there seems to have been some attempt to present a view of Jesus that made him, well, less Jesus. The apostle knew this would hurt the young church. So, he wrote to reemphasize the reality of Christ as Messiah, and to show that devotion to the full Christ was of utmost importance.
Now, there is no right word count when it comes to Jesus' name. But the question my colleague asked me is one we all need to keep asking ourselves. Where's Jesus? Not just in our words, but in our priorities, our decisions, and the direction of our lives.
Because if we merely assume Christ, we risk actually seeing Christ at the center of everything.
Stay blessed...john
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