Average Joe

Ephesians 3:10 – 11 “His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

During this time in church history, the church was not necessarily made up of the highly educated, the wealthy, or the elite. Instead, the universal church was being built on the ordinary people, the average Joes of society. According to Paul, it was always God’s intention to reveal Himself through the church – through the normal, everyday people who allowed Him to work through them.

The Jews rejected Jesus, because He wasn’t what they expected. They were looking for a grand Messiah to come riding in on a big white horse. They wanted God’s Son to set up an earthly kingdom, of which they themselves would be the elite. Instead, God’s Son was born to a working class couple. He was born in a barn, and his bed was a manger filled with straw. He grew up to be a sweaty carpenter with calloused hands. As far as the rest of the world was concerned, he was just an average Joe.

But oh, they were wrong! Jesus was God’s Son. He was the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He was the promised Messiah, the Savior of all mankind. He came to rescue us, not to condemn us! He doesn’t want to be a cool, aloof Royal Highness. Instead, He longs for a close and personal relationship with each and every one of us.

Friends, we will never win the world over to His great love by being aloof, judgmental, or holier-than-thou. God calls us to be real. He calls us to love people, to have genuine relationships with them, and to show them that God loves them not because they deserve to be loved, but just because He is love. He loves people so much that He left His glory and majesty and chose to become one of us.

When we stop trying to impress others, and simply allow our lives to be transparent vessels of His love, people will see God. He wants to use us, you and me, the church, to reveal His wisdom. Are you willing to let Him use you as His display case, showing all the world how loving and wonderful and wise He is?

Dear Father, I’m not a very impressive person on my own. But when others look at me, I want them to see You.

Amen

9 Responses to Average Joe

  1. March 13, 2008 #

    Now this links well to one of my favourite parts of Isaiah (53:2)

    ‘He had no form or majesty that we should look at him,
    Nothing in his appearance that we should desire him’

    An average Joe indeed! It always amazes me that the Jews at the time did not recognise Him from this (and the rest of this scripture passage). But as you say, they were waiting for a political leader, someone who would free them from the Roman occupation, and I suppose He just didn’t seem to fit the bill.

    Nevertheless, I always think that the whole of Isaiah 53 could have been written as an eye-witness account of what happened at Calvary. Did you know that this passage is never read out in a Jewish synagogue?

    On a lighter note, The Fixer has made you an award. Come on over and collect it!

  2. March 13, 2008 #

    Wow, Mother OTL! What a great insight. Thanks so much for sharing that. After reading your comment, I read back over Isaiah 53, and it is an amazing description, isn’t it?

    Thanks so much for my award – it is lovely! Do you think the Fixer could apply it to my blog? I always have to have someone help me with things like that – I’m computer challenged. 🙂 I have this and the other award you gave saved to a Word document in case I ever figure it out.

    For those of you who would like to view my lovely award, you can see it here:

    http://motherspride-jackie.blogspot.com

  3. March 13, 2008 #

    Wonderful post Renae. I know some super Christians who can give wonderful sermons and go deep into theology and philosophy but do not reach out with a helping hand to anybody.

    Thank you for your comment on my blog.

    If you possibly can, please grow some daffodils for me. I love them but can ‘t grow them here.

  4. March 13, 2008 #

    Well, Amrita, I will definitely plant you some daffodils. But I can’t promise they will be as lovely as your flowers! I can’t even promise they will even survive . . . I don’t have your green thumb. But I will try, and I will keep you posted on their progress. 🙂

  5. March 14, 2008 #

    Good Moraning from Judi Moran,
    Thanks for the reminder that God is who He is and has come to do HIS work in our lives.
    Not who we think He should be or who we want Him to be or here to do OUR work that we have planned and imagined.
    Love,
    Jlo

  6. March 15, 2008 #

    Renae, thanks for stopping by Christian Fiction. If you would like me to recommend any fiction titles to you, or take a look at what you’ve written stay in touch.

    My daughters birthday is this Saturday and I have been so caught up in planning her birthday I didn’t think to incorporate this coming week with sharing with her why Easter is so important. Thanks for reminding me.

  7. March 15, 2008 #

    As always good to see you writing on our Lord.

  8. March 16, 2008 #

    Hey Renae! David just told me about your site! SO glad to get a morning buzz! Look forward to reading more and catching up!

  9. March 16, 2008 #

    Judi, Lance, Dee and Haley – great to see each one of you! Thanks so much for stopping by.

    And Judi – happy birthday!!!

    –r

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