I picked up this book at the recommendation of a youth pastor friend. Also, one of the authors is Craig Gross, founder of XXXChurch, and I had wanted to read something by him for awhile.
This was a pretty quick read. Each of the ten chapters focus on a specific kind of person that “Jesus Loves.” Jesus Loves the Bitter and Betrayed. Jesus Loves the Broken. Jesus Love the Crook. Initially, I thought this formula would ruin the book for me. After reading a chapter or two I almost gave up on it, assuming it would be the same thing in every chapter; Here’s a story of a stereotype, here is why the stereotyped person gets misunderstood/overlooked/etc, and here is why Jesus loves this person. While this is partly accurate, I’m very glad I got past the first couple chapters and through the rest of the book.
The same friend that recommended this book also tweeted the following this morning: “Self-Help books rarely contain great stories. Ironically, great stories help.” Great stories help, and that is precisely what this book is made of. Here are my thoughts on the first of two chapters that really stood out to me.
Jesus Loves the Outcast.
The other author, Jason Harper, has a favorite coffee shop that he likes to write in. Coincidentally, this coffee shop happens to sit “on the edge of the loosely dubbed Lavender District, the epicenter of Sacramento’s gay culture.” This part of town is where Jason met Gay Joe. Gay Joe had formed a very unflattering (although probably deserved) opinion of Christians in general. He had witnessed firsthand some very hateful things said by a prominent Evangelical leader and had made up his mind regarding Christ followers in general.
After meeting Gay Joe, Jason invited him to coffee, not knowing if he would accept. He did. After meeting many times for coffee, Jason and Joe got to know one another as friends. Later, Jason apologized to Joe for the pain he had endured from the faith community. He shared with him the love and acceptance that he believed Christ would have given unconditionally, even though the Church had withheld it up to that point. To his critics who question why Jason would associate with people like Gay Joe, he responds, “Because that is where Jesus would be found spending time. He would be hosting a party...where others could come to learn about his unconditional love.” I love this. Not a place where others could come and learn Christian rules, or how to overcome their lifestyle, or even the steps of the Roman Road, but a place where they could be loved.
Jesus loves the outcast, regardless of how “religion” that may dictate otherwise. How can we orient our lives so that we do the same?
2 comments:
I remember IWU profs saying we need to put ourselves in "streams" of God's grace, especially when we're in doubt, struggling, etc. Just showing up is half the battle.
Likewise, I think we need to "stay near the streets" as I like to say - making it more likely that we'll have the opportunity to love very broken people (like us). Having coffee in this neighborhood afforded him this opportunity.
Great post. I need to get this book. I especially appreciate your observation that it isn't rules and jugdement that draws people to Christ -- it is the hope and experience of unconditional love.
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