Jesus the Fool

I have been reading a very challenging book “Jesus the Fool” by Michael Frost. Here is one of my favourite quotes.

 “Jesus was poor. His is a refreshing poverty that allows him to accept others as one with nothing to lose. There are no defences up with Jesus. Like a fool, too simple to know he shouldn’t be so accepting, Jesus fashions free and friendly space around. This is a space that quickly fills up with “sinners” – women, children, lepers, tax collectors and others. It follows, then, that the church should essentially be a community of poor people.”

I was sharing at Up Town Sunday night about the bumper sticker that reads “The one who dies with the most toys wins!” I asked how many had seen a U-Haul behind a hearse and of course none of us had. I suggested that the one who dies with the most toys is dead! The pursuit of riches leaves us ultimately in a place of true poverty. Riches when pursued take a power over us. Scripture tells us it (mammon) enslaves us. Jesus embraces a poverty which makes riches a matter of indifference and in doing so lives a life free of its power. In living this counter cultural life, pursuing solely the Father’s will; Jesus creates this environment in which the outcast finds a home!

This book challenges me to recall that I cannot serve two masters. I cannot pursue the things of this world and at the same time be pursuing God. I cannot fit comfortably with the culture around me and make a welcoming space for the outcast. If I am not finding my treasure in Him any attempt at mission is impossible. But if I follow Jesus and his indifference to riches I can perhaps be a part of the community of the broken which gathers around Him, who is our only hope and healer. I think that may be the life worth pursuing. Care to join me?