Coming Out is good. John 12.44-50

Coming Out is Good.  John 12.44-50

Click to read: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2012:44-50&version=NKJV&interface=print

“I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.” John 12.46

Good Day.

Is it ‘Bonn-o’ or ‘Bo-no’?  These are the things that trip me up, honestly—I am not cool enough to keep the correct pronunciation straight in my mind.  But interestingly enough, the man, Bono, definitely has it straight – his faith, I mean.  When it has not been politically correct to ‘come out’ for Christ, Bono has done it.  Actually, what the mega-star, lead-singer of U-2, had to say could be used as commentary on Jesus’ last public speaking, recorded here in John chapter 12.  

From his 2005 book - “Look, the secular response to the Christ story always goes like this: he was a great prophet, obviously a very interesting guy, had a lot to say along the lines of other great prophets, be they Elijah, Muhammed, Buddha, or Confucius.  But actually Christ doesn’t allow you that.  He doesn’t let you off that hook.  Christ says: No.  I’m not saying I’m a teacher, don’t call me teacher.  I’m not saying I’m a prophet.  I’m saying:  “I’m the Messiah.”  I’m saying: “I am God incarnate.”

And people say, No, no, please, just be a prophet.  A prophet, we can take.  You’re a bit eccentric.  We’ve had John the Baptist eating locusts and wild honey, we can handle that.  But don’t mention the “M” word!  Because you know, we’re gonna have to crucify you.  And he goes:  No, no.  I know you’re expecting me to come back with an army, and set you free from these creeps, but actually I am the Messiah . . .”  Bono later says it all comes down to how we regard Jesus … If only we could be a bit more like him, the world would be transformed.  When I look at the Cross of Christ, what I see up there is all my s-- and everybody else’s…who is this man?”

Jesus came to bring us light, because He alone is the Light of the World.  There is no other who comes along and can sidle up beside him, and be in the same camp … not Buddha, not Muhammed, et al.  It is all about the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, karma does not even hold a close second.  Time to come out and say it.  Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven. Matthew 10.32-33 

May we then say, like Paul, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes”…Romans 1.16

Come Out!

Christine

PastorWoman.com

*Bono: in Conversation with Michka Assayas – 2005,