Paradox

“Blessed are those who recognize they are spiritually helpless.
The kingdom of heaven belongs to them. Blessed are those who mourn.
They will be comforted. Blessed are those who are gentle.
They will inherit the earth.

Matthew 5:1-5 (God’s Word translation)

The Sermon on the Mount is a hallmark event of the teachings of Jesus. The first five verses (above) are examples of paradox. A paradox is a statement or sentiment that is seemingly contradictory or opposed to common sense and yet is perhaps true. Jesus loved to live in the paradox. He turned the world upside down- and still does- by challenging the prevailing wisdom of the world.

That sense of paradox, paradoxically enough, is the concept that drew me to a better understanding of Jesus. The idea that the simplest ideas are indeed profound; that the poor are the ones who see God’s favor; that what appears as wisdom to man is foolishness to God; that those who are last shall be first; – these concepts inherently rang true to me.  

Jesus came to change the world in ways that the world could understand only by clinging to him as the embodiment of a loving God. Jesus was rejected by many in his time because they did not understand him. In the world today, Jesus is still rejected by those who do not understand the paradox of his loving nature, often because they do not see his followers as loving people.

Our job is to be the loving people of Jesus so that others can truly see his simple message.

Prayer:  Lord, help us to be faithful carriers of your loving message, Amen