Author: William B. Jones
“He comes to us as one unknown, without a name, as of old, by the lake-side, He came to those men who knew him not. He speaks to us the same word: ‘Follow thou me!’ and sets us to the tasks which He has to fulfill for our time. He commands. And to those who obey Him, whether they be wise or simple, He will reveal Himself in the toils, the conflicts, the sufferings which they shall pass through in His fellowship, and, in an ineffable mystery, they shall learn in their own experience Who He is.” The Quest for the Historical Jesus (1959), Albert Schweitzer
He told his followers about the Kingdom of God where love governs all decisions and actions because God is Love. He helped people understand that life is better when love, compassion and forgiveness abound.
He taught inclusion by helping the Gentile woman of Syro-Phoenician descent whose daughter was ill and by telling the parable of the Good Samaritan. He taught compassion by saving the woman at the well from being stoned; by healing the sick and feeding thousands of families who came to hear him speak. He taught forgiveness by praying for those who put him to death.
He reveals himself to us in the love and kindness of parents caring for children, teachers training our youth, neighbors giving help to neighbors and strangers, people being open and caring for others of all races, nationalities, orientations, rich or poor, young and old, in good health or invalid.
He is with us as we gather as a community at First Cong to sing, pray and share our stories as we make our journeys through life, for He told them “When two or three are gathered in my name I will be with you.” In all of our life experiences we are learning Who He is.
