Comfort

The life of Jesus was not a comfortable one by our standards. Americans would give little respect to anyone who emulated Jesus' lifestyle. Hippies may have come close, but were regarded as "free love" and drug induced carefree people. Jesus appeared to be without material possessions, but still had a mother and presumably a home. He spoke of loving one another and even your enemies, which is a message of peace. He spoke of giving to Cesar what is Cesar's, which is a message of cooperation with government. He healed and helped people immediately when they asked, even on the Sabbath- and miraculously raised people from death when he arrived too late. We should all be so lucky as to have Jesus as a friend. But then, he tells us that there will be division in the family if we follow his ways. There will be pain and suffering if we carry his yoke. There will be martyrdom if we take up the cross. Not a good sales pitch. Yet there are millions of followers in every country. Jesus does not promise physical comfort. He promises spiritual peace. He asks us to speak up and shake things up, knowing we will have opposition and risk everything. He does not promise prosperity and material wealth, even though we continue to crave it. He promises heavenly happiness. Does eternal mystery give us incentive to do what is right and honest and helpful to others? Not very often. Altruism is not rare, but it does have its rewards. Christianity was not meant to be comfortable or profitable or peaceful. Christ has power that is incredible and offers us an opportunity to strengthen our initiatives and outcomes when we engage in Christian behavior.