It is often said of March that this month comes in like a lion and leaves like a lamb. While this saying is referring to the drastic weather change that takes place as we move from winter into spring, it really got me thinking about the true nature of Jesus Christ and who we are called to be as Christians. If Jesus is “the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world,” then why do so many of us act as if the title Christian is one of entitlement, privilege, and power (John 1:29)?
While all four of the canonical gospels tell Jesus’ story in styles that are unique to their authors and original audiences, there is some commonality between them when it comes to the traits that Jesus lived and taught. Jesus demonstrated compassion, understanding, healing, and acceptance. Jesus reserved his irritation and ire for the religious leaders who refused to show those same qualities and were instead more interested in their own status and power. Jesus sought to nurture. Jesus did not seek to conquer (humanity anyway). We are encouraged by God to “Listen to him!” and yet, we often times find ourselves listening to the voices of division, retribution, and bending others to our will (Matthew 17:5; Mark 9:7; Luke 9:35).
John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement, recognized the humble traits of Jesus and saw the church of his time drifting away from reflecting those traits too. For John it was not enough to confess Jesus as Lord of your life. You had to demonstrate it if you called yourself Christian and Methodist. John Wesley described Methodists as people who had “the love of God shed abroad in his heart by the Holy Ghost given unto him.” This was demonstrated in a Methodist’s life by their devotion to their worship, prayer, study, and life in community with one another. They also demonstrated this by their works of mercy feeding the hungry, housing the homeless, educating orphans, and providing medical care to those who could not afford it.
As inheritors of both the Christian and Methodist tradition, how are we being called to remain faithful to the example Jesus gave us and the early Methodists lived out? How do we demonstrate a way of being centered on doing no harm, doing good, and staying in love with God in a world that repeatedly tries to convince us that we are being foolish? How do we keep from succumbing to the temptations of power, wealth, and worldly influence?
This year March does not only have the opportunity to usher in a major change in the weather, but it also has the opportunity for us to welcome a change in ourselves. The majority of Lent happens this year in March, and Lent is the season of reflection and repentance. It is an opportunity for us to examine the parts of our life that are not Christlike and be intentional about making changes. Not by ourselves of course, but with the help of our community and the Holy
Spirit. My prayer for us as we move steadily towards Easter through Lent is that we learn to do a lot less roaring and a lot more listening when Jesus tells us to “Follow me” (Mark 1:17; Matthew 4:19; John 1:43).
Grace & Peace,
Pastor Bryan
1 John Wesley, The Character of a Methodist, in Works, Vol. 8; page 341.