Jesus is The End of Religion

I am very encouraged, by the current generation of Spiritual leaders, rising up from fundamentalist backgrounds in the complicated aftermath of denominationalism, into unity that is undivided, built on the authority of Jesus Christ, through the cross & resurrection, ruling & reigning over the world.

I recall the biggest realization during the very first mission trip I went on, during my senior year of high school: As I worshipped in an “International House of Prayer” in Chiang Mai, Thailand, with Thai believers that loved the Lord and sang at the top of their lungs, I realized that my expression was not the only correct one. For these Thai believers, who were a little more Pentecostal than the theologically conservative non-denominational Chinese church I grew up in, love Jesus just as much, if not more, than our church does.

And as I journeyed from “religion” to “religion”, I realized that there were faithful lovers of Jesus in the Benedictine nuns of Holy Wisdom Monastery in Madison, WI, or in the Greek Orthodox cathedral in the South End, Boston, or in the Amish in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

And it’s not necessarily the groups (much less the institutions), but the brothers & sisters within those groups, that love Jesus. The Orthodox priest whose love for, and modeling of Jesus, is reflected in the way he adores his daughter who suggested giving away trays of food to the homeless on Mass & Cass. The Amish brothers who love talking with one another about bringing in the Kingdom of God. The nuns who devote their daily rhythms to loving the Lord with communal prayers in the morning, noontime, and evening.

What this means is that there is this common denominator, that unlike every other common denominator, is greater than the number that it is a denominator of itself. That common denominator that is greater than the number itself is Jesus Christ, the resurrection, and the rule & reign over all the world of Jesus.

I envision a tying together, as those that ventured into all the various “expressions” realize that there is the core that forms faith. Because that core is greater than what it forms, it is what ties us together. That ministry of reconciliation is what Jesus is about.

What is there oxymoronic “mere Christianity” that CS Lewis talks about? Oxymoronic, as there is nothing “mere” about the pure love of God in the Son that was sent to earth, such that we may live once more, with the Father, with Jesus Christ as our brother, (along with many more brothers & sisters). Let our pride not rest in our individual expressions, but in Christ alone, our savior, all glory to God, forever & ever. Amen.