WIJD

While it is popular to ask, “What would Jesus do?” the better question was always “What is Jesus doing?” The first question assumes that the Savior is on the sidelines and that the burden of life and work is on our shoulders. But in that case the Savior is not really saving but is setting impossibly high standards that we attempt to imitate by doing what we assume he would do if he were in our situation. On the other hand, the question “What is Jesus doing?” is built on the conviction that he is alive, reigning, and at work in our lives. In other words, he is in our situation, and that changes every thing about our mission. Rather than believing that the work of Christ is completed and that now it is our turn to try to imitate his life and work, we take on the identity of being witnesses who watch and testify to his continued work of salvation that is unfolding before our eyes.

Clearly, Jesus’ incarnation, ministry, cross, and resurrection make up the decisive turning point in the great drama of salvation. But the Kingdom is still coming. However, it comes not through our efforts at doing Christ’s work, but through the ongoing ministry of the ascended and reigning Son of God, who completes his own work through the Holy Spirit. One of the means through which the Spirit fulfills Christ’s work is by binding or yoking us to the life and work of the Son so that we may participate in what Jesus is doing.

M. Craig Barnes

The Pastor As Minor Poet