I’ve always been a bit slow catching up with the latest fashions. But there’s one that seems to have been around for a little while now. Has anyone noticed the studded leather belts that young women are wearing. These belts are generally studded with a message, and two of the most common spell out the phrases “Jesus Rocks” or Jesus Loves You.” People of faith and of no faith seem to be happy to wear them. That, to me says a lot about the person and character of Jesus. Church may not be as popular as it once was, but the person and character of Jesus still seems to be attractive or at least intriguing. A person who loves, cares shows compassion is willing to forgive and yet at the same time gets angry about injustice and hypocrisy and a lack of concern for the poor, that’s Jesus. Jesus Rocks!

            In a book I was reading recently, the author was trying to put into words what the Christian Faith is about. He used these words:

            “God loves you just as you are; but he refuses to leave you like that, he want you to be just like Jesus.”

            The Christian faith presents Jesus as the model of humanity, as the kind of person that we can be. At the same time if we are honest we recognize that we aren’t always as loving or forgiving or as bold against injustice as we should be. Thankfully God offers to help us be the people we can be as we draw near, pray and seek him. Jesus is someone worth imitating, but we can’t do that on our own, it makes for a poor copy. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit of God would be there to help us, God’s presence just a prayer away. I’m sure the world would be a better place if people were more like Jesus in attitude and heart. What could be our next step toward that? God loves us no matter what, but he refuses to let us remain as we are, he wants us to be just like Jesus.

By Rev Tony Musgreave - Pastor; Church of the Nazarene.