Up Close
Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted. Hebrews 2:17-18 nasbu
Few scenes warm the heart like that of a mother dog with her pups. A couple days ago a black lab visited our property, and trailing behind her were her three black and white pups. Seeing them from a distance--from the house to one of the upper gardens--it was an enchanting picture of canine familial bliss. The cute puppies galloped to keep up with their mom as she roamed about, investigating the new territory. The picture close up, however, was different. As they drew nearer we could see that the mother was emaciated, her ribcage prominent. She found the compost pile and rummaged through it for anything edible. Her pups appeared to be well-fed from her milk, but their eyes were rheumy, and had that distant, cloudy look of ill health. More than that, they were hot and exhausted from keeping up with mom. They were being worn down to the nub by trailing after her in her search for food--and they knew that they didn't dare fall behind. Our first instinct, of course, is to help an animal in need. We put out some cool water for them, but just as I was preparing to give the mother some food, she took off after Angel and ran her up a tree. There is a hard rule around here: Everyone is welcome, and there is always enough food for all. But if you are mean to a member of the family, then you are not welcome. Giving food to a stray animal pretty much insures they will stay, and no one may stay who chases one of the family up a tree. So the mother dog didn't get fed--and they eventually left. Many people--perhaps most of the world's population--have a favorable long-distance view of Christ Jesus. No matter their position on faith, religion in general, or the specifics of Christianity, from a distance Jesus doesn't look like too bad a fellow. After all, He healed people when He was alive; He wasn't afraid to talk back to the arrogant power brokers of the day--always an endearing quality to the rebellious at heart; and He said some really nifty things about peace, and love, and being all warm and cozy with our fellow man. But for many people, long-distance is where they prefer to keep Jesus. They fear that if they take a closer look at Him, draw Him closer into their life, He will suddenly seem less attractive--less warm and fuzzy. They're afraid He'll start being demanding, devouring everything in their present life with a voracious appetite. And, perhaps most of all, they're afraid He'll chase off some well-entrenched habits that have become as dear as family to their lifestyle. In truth, however, Jesus Christ up close is even better than Jesus Christ from a distance. He continues to heal people, because He is still alive. More than that, His idea of healing goes far beyond sightless eyes or inconvenient leprosy: Jesus heals the broken heart, the listless spirit, the darkened soul. He heals relationships between friends--and He heals, especially, the broken relationship man has with God. Jesus up close is someone who still deals with the powers that be. For, you see, He is not just a healer, but a counselor. Through the example of His life, through the words He spoke, through His indwelling Spirit He advises both those in power and those who live under that power. He is at work as much in the halls of government as He is in the prayer closet. And Jesus up close carries within Him a kind of love that soars high above and beyond the plastic rendering imagined by those viewing Him from a distance. His love is not a tinsel-wrapped prize, a fanciful object pretty to look at but vaporous in content (the kind of love to which we in the world are more accustomed). Christ's love is something substantial and real. It has heft. It weaves itself into and through a life, loving and producing love that spreads further still. It is a tough love that corrects wrong and rewards good. It has staying power: It is a love that does not fade, does not depart for another, and does not later turn to hatred. The closer Jesus gets, the better He looks. And He looks best of all when seen within.For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time. 1 Timothy 2:5-6 nasbu