Here’s a thought: what if Jesus’s followers reviewed him like students review their professors? While that might sound strange, it’s actually the core of Amanda Lehr’s thesis, which you can explore in the Coconut section. I’ve taken her intriguing idea and added my own peculiar twist.
Professor Jesus’ reviews from students like you and me:
“The first day in class there was no syllabus. He just had his cousin dunk us in the river! What’s up with that? I thought it was going to be a swim party.”
“Jesus is okay, I guess, but he doesn’t vet his TAs: they all provide completely different and conflicting lecture notes. Go to Mark’s notes for the basic info. Matthew’s is a bit wordy. John’s notes sound like a different class altogether. My recommendation is to try Luke’s notes.”
“I thought Jesus’ class was on Christianity not progressivism.”
“Is this a horticulture class? He’s always talking about seeds. Mustard seeds. Wheat seeds. Grain this, grain that. Seeds, seeds, seeds.”
“Plays favorites. Calls on the same twelve over and over. I even heard he took them out to dinner.”
Consider this: In what ways does Jesus challenge us? Are God’s assignments difficult, and can we honestly say we’re keeping up with the work? As we navigate our everyday lives, are we making the grade? Rather than pointing fingers, perhaps we should look inward first and build from there.
Shalom, Paul
[read the Coconut section in this week’s Paul at the Palms HERE]