I was

listening to a podcast my friend Isaac sent me that was conducted a few years ago. It was an interview with Shane Claiborne, author of Irresistible Revolution and Jesus for President and one of the figureheads for the New Monastic Movement. At one point during the interview, he talks about walking through the neighborhood one day with his friend, Kazim (sp?), when they got jumped. The people were ready for a fight and were looking to get into it. They simply introduced themselves and kept on walking. Kazim was then hit on the head with a club. Shane initial thought is something along the lines of "Come on, God, why? We tried to do the right thing!" He then turns around, faces their attackers and says:

"You guys are created in the image of God and you're made for something better than this."

Freshman year of high school I took a health class. I learned about adrenaline and how, once it starts flowing, you're faced with the Fight or Flight instinct. You either confront the danger or flee from it. These two options have, in my mind, been the two universally accepted options when approached by a threat (or really any high stress situation) for the longest time. Somehow, Shane Claiborne was approached by a threat, considered the two options, then thought, "You know, I don't like either of those. Let me throw my option into the mix; throw God's option into the mix." Shane continues to say that the guys were absolutely floored; they had no idea how to respond. So they took off running in every which way. Kazim's first response was "Where did that come from?!"

Last year, Ryan gave a sermon on the subject of homosexuality. I came to church that Sunday with the expectation of hearing why it was or was not wrong, all sorts of scripture references arguing the case, exceptions to rules, etc. Instead, Ryan talked about how Jesus, presented with two options, A or B, chose a third option, C. And this is something that only happened once. There are several cases where the pharisees try to trap Jesus into upsetting either the Roman authorities or the people around him. But Jesus chooses neither of these and "elevates the conversation" and answers a more important issue.

Person trying to get a Christian in trouble: "Is homosexuality right or wrong?"
Smart person addressing the larger issue: "Does it matter? We should love everyone and treat them with the kindness, mercy, and grace that Jesus has given/shown us."

No matter what, Jesus loved everyone. This did not mean he never got mad. But he was incredibly slow to anger, carefully considered the situations, and responded with love to everything. Only when people were directly disrespecting God did he actually get mad (i.e. flipping tables in the temple). In that instance, people had completely perverted the purpose of the temple and the offerings and simply saw it as a way to make some easy money. What was supposed to be a place of worship had become a place of profit and monopoly.

So now what? Well, I'm not very good with conclusions so I don't exactly know. Maybe if I had a little bit more time. Don't be judgmental. To anyone. Extend grace. Be patient. Have compassion.

Love everyone.