Freedom - Letting Go And Embracing ChristSample

Shattering Expectations  

I was raised in the church and knew my Bible inside and out by the time I went to college. While I’m very grateful for my roots and all I learned, there is something I missed. This was no one’s fault but my own. I just didn’t get it. 

I eventually learned that Jesus was anything but traditional. And I found so much freedom in that. Let’s briefly look at the life of Jesus and how He shattered all expectations. 

When we think about Jesus being the Son of God—we probably imagine He hung out at the synagogue a lot, right? Plenty of time behind the pulpit, teaching and ministering to the people who came in the building. Makes sense, right? My husband is a pastor and my kids joke sometimes that the church is home, because we spend a lot of time there. But there’s a depth of painful truth in that. 

This is something my husband and I discuss a lot as being a part of church leadership. Are we really able to reach people where they are and show them Jesus if we are behind the walls of—let’s be honest—a sometimes pretty intimidating building?

In just a minute, you'll take a look at a few places in the Bible where Jesus met with people.  

Jesus broke the mold from the beginning. He showed us there is freedom from the expectations of what people think we are supposed to do to follow Him and lead others to follow Him. 

Jesus asked questions. He connected with feelings and emotions. He left space for questions, conversations, and interruptions. 

Jesus could often be found in the company of the worst of the worst, the lowest of the low. He didn’t hide behind a pulpit and preach a message. He knew how to meet people where they would be, on their turf. 

He didn’t wait for people to come to Him. 

We’ve often heard Jesus referred to as a friend to sinners, not because He ignored sin (He hated sin!), but because He was the one who offered freedom. 

Jesus meets with us right where we are in the midst of our mess to offer us freedom.

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We hope you enjoyed this reading plan. If you'd like to learn more about Kara-Kae or the Thrive Moms Bible Study Series, you can get more information HERE.