Freeing Jesus

1. Jesus as Friend: The Intimate Companion of Our Spiritual Journey

"Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so."

Childhood faith. For many, the journey with Jesus begins in childhood, where He is introduced as a loving friend. This simple yet profound relationship forms the foundation of faith, often centered around Sunday school lessons, bedtime prayers, and comforting images of Jesus surrounded by children.

Evolving friendship. As we grow, our understanding of Jesus as a friend deepens. He becomes more than just a comforting presence; He becomes a confidant, a guide, and a source of strength in times of need. This friendship is not static but evolves with our life experiences, challenges, and spiritual growth.

Key aspects of Jesus as friend:

• Unconditional love and acceptance
• Constant presence in times of joy and sorrow
• A listener who understands our deepest thoughts and fears
• A companion who walks with us through life's journey

2. Jesus as Teacher: Challenging Conventional Wisdom and Inspiring Transformation

"Jesus taught radical interpretations of the Hebrew scriptures and Jewish practice that inspired people to actually leave their homes and follow him."

Revolutionary teachings. Jesus was not merely a moral instructor but a revolutionary teacher who challenged the status quo. His teachings, particularly the Sermon on the Mount and his parables, offered a radical reinterpretation of traditional religious and social norms.

Transformative impact. The power of Jesus' teachings lies in their ability to inspire personal and societal transformation. He encouraged his followers to look beyond surface-level interpretations and delve into the deeper meanings of love, justice, and compassion.

Key teachings of Jesus:

• The Golden Rule: "Do to others as you would have them do to you"
• The Beatitudes: Blessings for the poor, meek, and peacemakers
• Parables that challenge conventional wisdom (e.g., Good Samaritan, Prodigal Son)
• Emphasis on love and forgiveness over rigid adherence to laws

3. Jesus as Savior: Redefining Salvation Beyond Sin and Death

"Salvation is not really about heaven; it is about living beyond fear, knowing that death comes for each of us, often in mundane, quiet ways."

Expanded concept of salvation. While traditional views of Jesus as Savior focus on redemption from sin and the promise of eternal life, a deeper understanding reveals salvation as a present reality. It encompasses liberation from fear, oppression, and the limitations that prevent us from living fully.

Holistic redemption. Jesus' role as Savior extends beyond individual souls to the healing and restoration of communities and creation itself. This broader view of salvation emphasizes the importance of social justice, environmental stewardship, and the pursuit of abundant life for all.

Aspects of Jesus' salvific work:

• Liberation from fear and anxiety
• Healing of physical, emotional, and spiritual wounds
• Reconciliation of broken relationships
• Empowerment to live authentically and compassionately
• Creation of just and equitable social structures

4. Jesus as Lord: Balancing Authority and Radical Love

"Jesus is Lord! I had picked up that cross and my Bible and found a very different Jesus from the one who saved me."

Redefining lordship. The concept of Jesus as Lord challenges us to reconsider traditional notions of power and authority. Rather than a distant, authoritarian figure, Jesus demonstrates lordship through servant leadership, self-sacrifice, and radical love.

Kingdom values. Jesus' lordship establishes a new kind of kingdom, one based on justice, compassion, and equality. This challenges believers to align their lives with these values, often in opposition to dominant cultural and political systems.

Characteristics of Jesus' lordship:

• Servant leadership: "The greatest among you must be a servant" (Matthew 23:11)
• Upending social hierarchies: Elevating the marginalized and critiquing the powerful
• Nonviolent resistance to oppression and injustice
• Prioritizing love and mercy over judgment and punishment

5. Jesus as Way: The Path of Liberation and Self-Discovery

"The way of Jesus is the way of love. It is also a labyrinth, a 'meandering but purposeful path, from the edge to the center and back again.'"

Journey of transformation. Understanding Jesus as "the Way" invites us into a dynamic process of spiritual growth and self-discovery. This path is not a straight line but a labyrinthine journey of continual learning, unlearning, and relearning.

Liberation through love. The Way of Jesus is fundamentally a path of love – love for God, self, others, and creation. This love is not passive but active, challenging us to confront our own biases, fears, and limitations while working for the liberation of all.

Key aspects of Jesus as the Way:

• Emphasis on process over destination
• Embracing mystery and paradox
• Active engagement with scripture, tradition, reason, and experience
• Commitment to personal and social transformation
• Practices of contemplation and action

6. Jesus as Presence: Experiencing the Divine in the Everyday

"To speak of Jesus as presence, as one filled with shekhinah, recognizes the feminine of God."

Immanent divinity. Jesus as Presence challenges the notion of a distant, transcendent God. Instead, it invites us to experience the divine in the ordinary moments of our lives, recognizing the sacred in the mundane.

Embodied spirituality. This understanding of Jesus emphasizes the incarnational nature of faith, valuing physical experiences, emotions, and relationships as sites of divine encounter. It reconnects spirituality with the body, nature, and the rhythms of daily life.

Ways to experience Jesus as Presence:

• Mindfulness practices and contemplative prayer
• Recognizing the "Christ in others"
• Engaging in acts of service and compassion
• Celebrating the sacredness of birth, death, and other life transitions
• Finding God in nature and creative expression

7. Freeing Jesus: Embracing a Multifaceted, Evolving Understanding of Christ

"Jesus can't just be your Savior; he must also be your Lord."

Dynamic Christology. Freeing Jesus means allowing our understanding of Christ to evolve and expand throughout our lives. It recognizes that different aspects of Jesus' identity and role may be more relevant or meaningful at different times and in different contexts.

Inclusive vision. This approach to understanding Jesus invites a more inclusive and diverse Christian community, where various experiences and interpretations of Christ can coexist and enrich one another. It challenges rigid doctrinal formulations in favor of a living, breathing relationship with the divine.

Benefits of a liberated understanding of Jesus:

• Greater relevance to contemporary issues and concerns
• Increased dialogue between different Christian traditions and other faiths
• More authentic and personal faith experiences
• Ability to address the complexities of modern life and spirituality
• Renewed emphasis on the transformative power of Jesus' life and teachings

Last updated: January 22, 2025