Don’t Quote Me

I found an inspiring quote from Jesus online this week… “When the going gets tough, the tough focus on themselves and take advantage of others as needed.” Wait, that’s not right!  It should finish, “…and are indifferent to others,” which is much better and what Jesus said and did, right?

Feeling a bit cringey, right now? Wondering if I’ve had a bad week?  No worries! I’m just fiddling with a little satire- emphasis on little!

Actually, Jesus explained that his purpose as God coming as a human was not to be served, but to serve God and others, and to give his life as a ransom to free many from slavery to sin, fear, and selfishness (Mark 10:45). Also, Jesus told us to Love God with all ourselves and to Love others as ourselves (Luke 10:27).

To illustrate what loving “others” might look like for us and to challenge us to love better, Jesus told a parable of a culturally & religiously despised person who went out of his way and sacrificed time, energy, and money to help someone in need when the “acceptable” persons would not help because of their lack of love (Luke 10:28-37).

So, according to Jesus, “When the going gets tough, the tough choose to love, serve, and sacrifice for others out of love for God and in the power of Jesus’ love for them.”  Let’s go and do likewise!