Would You Recognize Jesus if He Showed Up In Your Hometown?

We launch this episode off of the last one, so if you haven't heard that episode, it might be worth listening to. 

https://www.rabbitholes.faith/e/spoiled-little-brats-jesus-rebukes-the-religious-elite-of-his-day/

 

As I sat on this, I kept thinking to myself, would it be any different if Jesus showed up today? He might not be preaching in the Synagogues but instead, at the local churches, maybe even your church. Here is a copy of the parable that we re-read and comment on. I wrote this to help bring the meaning of Matthew 11:16-19 to modern ears. 

The Parable of the Preacher in the Park

There came a man to the city of Cincinnati. No one knew where he came from, and he claimed no church, no seminary, no official covering. But when he spoke, the Word of God burned like fire. He could quote the prophets, rightly divide the Gospels, and speak the truth with love and thunder.

He preached in alleys and abandoned lots. He listened to the addicted, sat with the mentally broken, wept with grieving mothers at crime scenes, and shared food with the homeless without filming it for Instagram or YouTube.

Even without the published attention, Word got out.

Some churches invited him—at first. He gladly accepted. He spoke the same way in the pulpits as in the park: with truth, clarity, and conviction. He said things about repentance. About judgment. About Christ’s return. About forsaking comfort, self, and the worship of reputation.

Soon, fewer invitations came.

He spoke one Sunday at a well-dressed church downtown. A week later, he testified in the basement of the Kingdom Hall. When asked why, he said, “Anywhere someone listens, the truth must be spoken.”

The big mega church uptown gave him a slot—two minutes, right before their rock-band version of Amazing Grace. They told him: “Please say something inspiring that leads into the song. Stay on the stage mark. Lights hit at 10am sharp.”

He thanked them kindly, walked on stage, and simply said:

“Grace is not amazing unless you first know how lost you are.”

It was quiet. Then the band kicked in. And he slipped out the side door.

 

Notes for Would You Recognize Jesus

 

https://www.rabbitholes.faith/e/would-you-recognize-jesus-if-he-showed-up-in-your-hometown/