John 19: Completely God, Completely Human
---------
When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.”
--------
As he gave his own life, Jesus paused to look after his mom. It is a very human moment of powerful love and compassion.
Early Christians did not have any problem convincing people that Jesus was divine. Their world was full of gods and demigods. There was always room for one more.
The sticking point was this thing of Jesus being truly human. It just didn’t make sense. How can God almighty be nailed to a cross and die?
American Christianity says that Jesus is very God and very man... but we are still more comfortable with Jesus Christ Son of God than with Jesus of Nazareth, son of Mary.
Native American believers affirm that Jesus is part of Creation. Yes, Jesus Christ is divine. But Jesus also walks miles in our moccasins.
Scholars call this incarnational theology. God lives in heaven, but also in Creation. After all, that is why Creation was created in the first place.
It changes how you look at the world--at people--at yourself--when you believe God lives in this world just as much as the next world. The next baby you see could be Christ himself. The next pregnant girl you see could be the God-bearer. The next refugee family could be the holy family. You could turn the next corner and walk slap into Jesus.
If you "serve a risen savior who is in the world today," then where will you look for Jesus and Mary--today?