What Does It Look Like to Put on Jesus

I don't often re-write a past blog, and if I do, I have an unspoken rule with myself that it will never be a recent post. 

However, I want to do just this.

Rewrite (sort of) a very recent post from September 25th (the original can be found here). I, also, recently published it in the recent edition of my book Please Don't Send Me to Africa (on Amazon).

This entire entry is based on a memory that popped up back in September as I sifted through old photos.

They were mostly taken during the season I call "the Africa years," when our family served at Rift Valley Academy (RVA) in Kenya.

The picture spot-lighted our youngest daughter, Mandy (age 6), onstage at an all school talent show. She'd spontaneously agreed to perform her favorite chorus, "Jesus Be Jesus In Me." 

Jesus, be Jesus in me.

No longer me, but Thee.

Resurrection power,

Fill me this hour.

And, Jesus, be Jesus in me.

As I held onto that little photo, my heart echoed those lyrics in prayer, as they have many times over the years.

And, I know, that same train of thought has been the cry of many a disciples soul.

As mentioned last week, Paul wanted it for himself and for those he'd mentored:

 Imitate me as I imitate Christ .

(1 Corinthians 11:1, Ephesians 5:1)

Oh, how I want for Jesus to be Jesus in me! 

For me to live like Him...

But, this was the question I posed in that particular blog post -- it floated onto the landscape of my mind like a foggy mist arrives on the shores of the Pacific ocean: 

Which Jesus do you want to live in you?

The question surprised me.

"Well, the Jesus of the Gospels, of course!"

While that answer seems obvious, I recognize that the Jesus people think of today often looks very different from the Jesus of Scriptures (how you view Him depends on who you ask).

We humans have a tendency to recreate Jesus into our own image, according to our own desires, politics, whims, and opinions.

But, the Jesus I want living through me, doesn't vary from the portrait painted for us in the Gospels. This is the Jesus I desire to have shine His light in me and out of me. The Jesus I pray will daily transform me so I act just like Him.

Oh, that He will ultimately conform me to His image (see Romans 8:28-29), because the Jesus of the Gospels:

Led with humility, always serving.

Lived love through sacrificial giving.

Never demanded His own rights, but sought to uplift "the other."

Cared for the "least of these" as He met needs: healed the sick, fed the hungry (out of His own resources), welcomed children, visited those in prison...

Didn't ever attempt to transform culture ("give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar"), but desired, above all, to transform hearts (think how culture shifted after His death).

Spoke truth boldly, confronted sin with love, respect and gentleness.

Resisted personal temptations and honored His Father's will, even when it was a difficult ask (think the cross).

Detested hypocrisy...especially among the "churched" - "Woe to you, hypocrites."

Unpacked Scripture so that all men could understand, find their way to the Father, and the eternal home he is preparing for them ("didn't our hearts burn within us," disciples said as they walked with Him on the road to Emmaus).

Knew His purpose and never deviated.

Always, always showed us the heart of the Father.

These are just a few of the things that come to mind, when I pray, "Jesus, be Jesus in me..." 🙏

So, when Peter tells us (in so many words) to "Put on Jesus," this is what he means. 

Get dressed for action by giving Jesus full-reign to live through us in these ways to the world.

By the way, these are the virtues of the Kingdom that really is our home.