Mr. Confrontational

Meditations for Ragamuffins

October 12, 2023

Mr. Confrontational

“For he has not ignored or belittled the suffering of the needy. He has not turned his back on them, but has listened to their cries for help.”

Psalm 22:24 

What is your image of Jesus? For many years my image was stuck on Jesus as the Good Shepherd, Jesus the shepherd that left the ninety and nine sheep in the wilderness to go seek and find the one that had wandered away. Then I encountered Jesus Mean and Wild: The Unexpected Love of an Untamable God by Mark Galli (Baker Books). Galli’s book is based on the Gospel of Mark and presents Jesus as stern, confrontational, purposefully confusing, and even impatient. Jesus was in fact bold, in-your-face, and confrontational, as much as he was gentle, kind and forgiving. Constructing an authentic image of Jesus requires that we embrace all of Jesus.

In my life, my image of Jesus is ever evolving because I am continuing to grow in Christ. One addition to my personal gallery of Christ is still a work in progress. Inspired by Christopher L. Heuertz’s book, Simple Spirituality: Learning to See God in a Broken World (IVP Books), I am being led to embrace a part of God’s Kingdom that I have pretty much kept at arm’s length. Chris discusses how the church has pretty much insulated and isolated itself far from those who are poor. With vivid stories of his experiences in those parts of the world where extreme poverty and malnourishment are tragic realities for millions of people, Chris followed Jesus’ lead to do even more than offer a cup of water or slice of bread; he offered himself in friendship and love.

In my life I need to keep my eyes on the Good Shepherd, but I am growing in awareness that The Good Shepherd needs to confront me lest I go wandering off on my own. I know what he wants me to say: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts” (Psalm 139:23).

My Takeaway: For the last few months I have been implementing Psalm 139:23 in my life with this liturgical prayer every morning,

Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid; Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love thee, and worthily magnify thy holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen

Sē’lah

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2023 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.