Jesus as the Definition of "Christian"

"We are told to obey Jesus, but the standard of conduct and the leading characteristics of a faithful Christian life curiously avoid Jesus.  It's almost as if there is an unspoken agreement that it's unfair to bring Jesus in as the definition and measurement of following Jesus."- Michael Spencer


Quick---what are the first characteristics that come to mind when you hear the term "good Christian"?  If I clear my mind of my recent reading (Shane Claiborne, et al) and focus on the last 29 years of thinking, this is what comes to mind: reads the Bible on a regular basis, goes to Church every week, loves his/her family, tithes consistently, and generally is just a happy-go-lucky kind of person.  I bet this is pretty similar to the standard definition of a "good Christian" that most people hold.  Yet, if we dare to actually allow Jesus to define "Christian," it really starts to shake up those pre-conceived ideas that we just assume are true.


"Reads the Bible on a regular basis"- Jesus was a master of the Scriptures.  We can make that assumption simply from knowing that he was a rabbi and that the process of rabbinical training involved in-depth memorization of Old Testament texts.  The honored title of "raboni" did not come without sacrifice.  Jesus knew the Word.  We see him skillfully weave together texts and interpret them in such an authoritative way that even the most prominent teachers and scribes were astounded.  If Jesus is to define what a Christian is, we simply cannot settle for a bit of reading before bed so we can cross it off our master plan.  Scripture must envelope our lives and be the central starting point for everything we do and say.


"Goes to church every week"- Jesus completely redefined the religious establishment and initiated the Church as his followers bound together as one body.  When we actually begin to define church as Jesus defined Church, it kind of makes "goes to church every week" seem kind of silly, doesn't it?  Don't get me wrong; Jesus (as well as the rest of the New Testament writers) clearly outline the need for believers to be surrounded by a Godly community.  Jesus attended synagogue and spent time with believers, illustrating the need for both times of corporate worship (church service) and for fellowship with other believers (the Church).  The Church meets every day, unlike the church.


"Loves his/her family"- I don't doubt for a second that Jesus loved his family, just as he loved all people.  But in one of those horribly difficult statements of Christ, he tells his audience, "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple."  Wow, that's a little harsh, Jesus.  However, we cannot conveniently dismiss the fact that Christ spoke these words.  It's my understanding (as misguided as it may be), that Christ was simply stating that no person could come before him in the heart of a true disciple.  His command was not to hate family, but to love him so much that our affection for anyone else looks closer to hate than love.  So, yes, a "good Christian" loves his family...but the person striving to be like Christ loves Jesus far more than any other person, leaving "loves his/her family" as a less-than-adequate descriptor of a Christian.


"Tithes regularly"- Jesus clearly commands Christians to tithe.  But he also tells us in a whole bunch of other places to sell all we have, give to the poor, take care of the weak, rescue the sick, and several other things that take us way out of our comfort zone.  God wants your tithe, but he wants you to have a giving heart infinitely more.  Jesus is constantly among undesirable people, including some who he adopted into his inner circle.  He feeds the hungry, heals the sick, touches the leper, befriends the prostitute, and simply loves the unlovable.  What type of giving did Jesus do?  It sure did go beyond 10%, didn't it?


As we read the Gospels, we must cling to the authentic Jesus.  His path is narrow and is not for the weak-minded or the uncommitted.  He told us life as a true disciple would be hard, but he also said that it would bring about an inheritance of peace and joy that we cannot contain.  His burden is light to those who are willing to take on his yoke.


Help us Lord Jesus to define ourselves by You alone.