Dirty Jesus

May 24, 2012 — 17 Comments

Todays guest post is by Ethan Boggs. Ethan has a revelation on grace that we all need to encounter. Enjoy his first guest post on Human Like You. Please take time to comment on this post after you read.

I personally think that most people don’t have a problem with God, they have a problem with religion. One of the reasons people are not interested in church is because they feel that they are not good enough; they feel guilty. They feel dirty. Often times religion makes it seem that you have to meet a spiritual quota for God to even be interested in you. When in fact, Jesus is drawn to the people who are not “OK” rather than the people who pride themselves on thinking they are “OK”.

Here’s an example. . .

The religious crowd brought a woman to Jesus who had been caught in the very act of adultery. The religious people are all “gun ho giddy” about stoning this chick. While the crowd is roaring with accusations and judgment, Jesus does something crazy. In  (Jn. 8:6) Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger.

Image from Google

We all know the story. Think about it: Jesus stooped down . To think that the all-powerful God stops everything and completely focuses on this one woman, a guilty woman. This is a woman who does not even defend herself. She knows that she is guilty.

We must ask the question: What would make such a good God stoop down for such a bad woman?

He stooped down to her because she couldn’t stand up to Him.

He stooped down to her not because she knew how to “pray and read her Bible” . . . but because she needed Grace. It was her imperfection that drew him to the dirt.

Religion always makes you feel you have to climb this ladder to get to him whereas in reality the cross was the ladder of which Jesus came down to us, the dirty.

We all hate our dirt. I know I do; however, just know that the dirt doesn’t distract Him from showing you His Grace. He is willing to get dirty to get to us.

Final thought: Religion is always looking for a “move of God”. Just start looking in the dirt . . . He seems to like it there.

 

Ethan Boggs is my dear friend. Please follow him on Twitter.

 

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  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Stevie-Diffy/100000430557517 Stevie Diffy

    Would JESUS forgive and have compassion on one that will not ask for forgiveness? JESUS did not come to condemn us. JESUS almost always ask if they believed and would  tell them that it would be done according to their faith. And I remember HIM saying…”go and sin no more lest a worse thing come upon you”. Did this woman walk away and do this thing no more? I would say yes. JESUS knew her heart and knew that this moment would change her forever. That is why she was forgiven. I will not tickle an ear. GOD will grow tired of one that will not even try to stop sinning. Just saying you believe in JESUS is not a get out of Hell free card. You have to bear fruits of repentance that prove you believe. There is only one Judge and it is not one of us. Sorry, but its a touchy subject for me. A pot that called a kettle black. We must try to stop this sin, or we do not believe. Block me if you must. Its what most do when the pain of truth is felt.

    • mattwade

      Good morning Steve. Thanks for taking time to share your heart. I appreciate it. 

      I would first say, I am sorry if this post has communicated a “sinful” life that is ok. I did not read it that way, and I still cant see that in the post after I read it again once reading your comment. 

      Also, I would never block your from posting on my blog. This is a place where ALL are accepted and loved. You are no acception to that rule. I love you. You are my brother. 

      So, for what its worth, thanks for taking time to share. 

      Also, the woman in John 8 was told to “go and sin no more”. However, in context – which all has to be taken within – the scripture translated properly says – “go, and leave your lifestyle of sin.” Even one other translation just says, “GO”. 

      So, this is not condoning sin, as we know that Jesus would not do. But what is is doing is condoning love, forgiveness, and acceptance - which is 100% the life and meaning of Jesus. 

      Love you friend and I hope this helps to understand my friend Ethan’s heart and postion with Christ. 

      mlw

    • Ethanboggs

      Steve – thanks again for reading my blog. It means a lot.

      I would have to agree with you Steve that there is a fruit of repentance; however we must realize that change is the FRUIT of salvation not the ROOT of salvation.

      The goodness of God causes men to repent. (Romans 2:4) this woman would of never knew that he was good if she would of never experienced him stooping down.

      The purpose of the blog is to express that God accepts us despite our issues and struggles.

      Thanks again Steve

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=508080855 Christian McFadden

    As MLW said, I don’t believe that this message was at all intended to condone sin. I think the point Ethan was trying to make here is that once we have true revelation of the love of Christ, we want to change because we want His acceptance. 

    • mattwade

      Christian, for me the only way that I stay free from sin is to keep my eyes focused on His love. 

      Thanks for sharing today. You are spot on – His love is our only hope for a change of heart.  mlw

  • http://twitter.com/marcallangrimes Marc Grimes

    I’m kind of glad they kept John 8 as part of the Bible…the story rocks! I love everything that is about grace and acceptance.

    I’m glad he stooped down to my level!

    Thanks for sharing Ethan…Thanks for posting Matt!

    • mattwade

      Marc, first off – I love that you “know” about John 8 and its part in the book of John. We must chat more. LOL. 

      I am glad He did the same for me and stopped down and wrote on my dirty heart with His finger of love. 

      mlw

    • Ethanboggs

      Glad it helped Marc. Have a grace day.

  • http://www.eileenknowles.com Eileen

    Nice thoughts. Your post reminded me of one of my favorite verses in the Psalms  “You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great.”  So thankful He meets us in our mess!!

    • mattwade

      Eileen, that passage in Psalms is powerful and a great parallel for this story! Thanks for sharing. 

      mlw

  • Springdrawsnear

    Good stuff!

  • http://www.KarenEYates.com/ Karen

    I appreciate this lots, Ethan.  I’ve heard the analogy a few times that our sin is like an iceberg.  Some of it is above the water and everyone can see it.  But a more sizeable portion of our ‘dirt’ is below the surface, hiding.  The adulterous woman’s sin was above the surface–her community shunned her for it.  But for someone like the rich man (Mark 10), his sin was beneath.  And yet it says Jesus looked on him and loved him.  That He loves us in our dirt, whether secret or public, is the beauty of Who He is.  And it makes me love Him all the more.     

    • Ethanboggs

      Karen – I’m so thankful that his Grace reaches below the bottom for us. Secret or not secret.

      Thanks Karen for taking the time to read the blog and sharing as well.

      eb

  • Sonny

    Good word bro!

    • mattwade

      Glad you enjoyed Ethan’s Post.

  • Michael York

    Love the thoughts behind “he stoops down to us because we can’t stand up to him”.  Awesome.  I just returned from Bike week in Myrtle Beach where we do a biker outreach every year.  And what I have found is that we could have probably already won the world to Christ if it wasn’t for so called” Christians.” Those filled with judgment and critisism… most people would love to know God, to know the love of jesus and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit…but they have problems getting past us “christians.”  We should all operate in a little more grace.

    • Ethanboggs

      So true Pastor Mike! I think if we are not careful Christians will cast reflections on Christ rather than of Christ!

      Love you PM! Hope to see you soon

      eb