Botox Jesus

September tends to be a reflective and somewhat melancholy month for Ronnie and me, and no, it has nothing to do with a certain football match coming up this Saturday afternoon. September is the month where we both lost our dads and of course it just happens that Father’s Day comes around each September. So there are times during this month that we might just have a quiet moment or six to remember.

For our local church the past couple of September weekends have been busy as we celebrated two Sundays back the anniversary of our moving into new premises and last weekend we enjoyed hosting our fourth annual Ladies Day. For me anyway, probably connected to my September mood, these occasions gave cause for reflection on how our journey has gone thus far. It is always good to see new people connecting with us along the way and this year has been no different; but it has also been a year where we have probably had more drifting off than ever before.

This morning I was reading through the sixth chapter of John and particularly spent some time considering verses 60 – 69. I was initially struck with the words in verse 6: “This teaching is difficult who can accept it?” I like the fact that Jesus asks a good question when he hears the grizzling of his followers – ‘”Does this offend you? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the Spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless.”’

As one who is trying to age graciously, let me give you who are younger a heads up on Jesus’ theory about the flesh; he’s right! The flesh is useless. This is really funny when you consider the amount of stuff being pedaled these days – male and female – to keep that old flesh young, tight and glowing.

I still remember the time I had been asked to support a family for the viewing of their dad who had died at a good old age. The classic line will live with me forever as one member looked at dad in the coffin and said, ‘He looks well doesn’t he?’ Now, the funeral director had done a fine job in exercising his skills and many words might have been used to describe the deceased at that time; but well was not one of them. He was not well, he was dead and the flesh really was useless.

Perhaps we prefer the Botox Jesus? The occasional injection to keep us in shape and all will be well. A gentleman chastised me once for preaching about the Passion (suffering and death) of Jesus on Palm Sunday. He came along wanting the donkey, the palm branches and the hallelujahs and the minister stuffed it up by talking about the cross a week early! A quick injection of the jollies is what we need Pastor.
Following Jesus is not meant to be a misery trail but it is not meant to be a fairy tale either! Jesus said that he came to bring life and life in abundance. For me these words conjure up thoughts of substance, depth, hope, strength and joy. These are gutsy solid words, something that you can build life on – a rock maybe?

what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the Spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless.”’

The invitation from Jesus is to enter into a new / old form of life. Christianity is for me the only faith that actually provides answers that make sense. In all honesty we know that we are ‘fallen’ people. No matter where we stand, there is something within the human psyche that says there is something about us that is better than what we are right now. The coming of Jesus is the door through which we can walk to discover a way of life that faces the garbage and hurt and yet strengthens us to go on. If it doesn’t it’s Botox.

But ‘The teaching is difficult’ and as we read in John 6:66: ‘Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him.’ I personally like the image of the Son of Man ascending to where he was before. The disciples that remained with Jesus did see that (Acts 1:6-11) and I wouldn’t mind a look either!