Frank Viola at Reimagining Church has a thoughtful question to ponder: What is the message of Jesus?

As I try to answer that question for myself, I have to start with the question: Is the message of Jesus different than the person of Jesus? Fundamentally, I would answer “No.” Jesus was true to His character and personhood thus His message would be the same, though perhaps spoken differently.

The personhood, work and words of Jesus together form His message. Healing, befriending sinners, calling people to repentance all speak of restoration to a wholeness. But unlike others, Jesus says that all of life and its reality are found and mediated through Him. Through His forgiveness, He is the door to reality and wholeness. Through Him, wholeness can be pursued and ultimately experienced. Through Him, life is not fatalistic but grows in hope, joy and love. Life overcomes death, forgiveness defeats guilt, love triumphs over apathy. Sin does not stain goodness, but mercy transforms fallenness.

What do you think?

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