#186

The Connected Savior

There is probably more to the thoughts of Hebrews 4:15, “He was tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin” than we traditionally think.  We usually go to Jesus’ interaction with Satan in the desert to demonstrate His various temptations and comeback. What I see in this Hebrews passage is an attempt to describe our High Priest as one who is connected. The preceding statement, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses,” communicates connection. That glorious first chapter vision given to John in the Apocalypse places our connected Savior right in the middle of His churches.

This ought to resonate with a postmodern world. A world where it seems one cannot be connected enough. Our Savior didn’t have, and for that matter didn’t need, digitized connections. He connected with an adulterous woman, a tax collector, a synagogue ruler, a house full of friends, blind people, deaf people, possessed people, a nighttime Pharisee, and many others, so I feel secure in saying He wants to be connected to you and me.

It seems that the connection was lost for the most part with the religious elite of His day. It seems that the connection with most of His closest followers was tenuous at best at times. That connection eventually was secured. Resurrection will take care of that.

He is the example of being connected while disconnect seems to be what we are good at. I wonder in all of our religiosity and ritual if we think we are connected to Him. I wonder in all of our business and cliquishness if we think we are even connected to each other. Do we connect only along age, racial, belief or economic criteria? Do we hang with those in our demographic and then call ourselves connected?

There are a lot of “C” words that come to mind; community, culture, closeness, camaraderie, compassion, completeness, common, come, etc.

A connected Savior surely calls His church to be connected. Some Bible speaks to this; “come to me all you who labor and are heavy burdened,” “I became all things to all people that by all means I might save some,” “let the little children come to me,” “love your neighbor as you love yourself,” “that whoever believes might not perish but have eternal life,” “how often have I longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings,” “I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy,” “do not forsake the assembling of yourselves together,” and many more.

Connection is a two-way street. No wonder those who come in after worship begins and leave as the last AMEN is still hanging in the air don’t feel connected. I know we have a connected Savior who wants secure a connection to you and me. Is the disconnect on your end?