Hello brothers and sisters,
I have been reading the book Joshua by Jospeh Girzone. I know it is fiction, but reading about Joshua, the main character in the book, has really helped me to see more of the tender heart of Jesus.
Here is one exceprt that I found to be very powerful and really spoke to me:
"God never intended that religion become what it is today. Jesus came to earth to try to free people fromthat kind of regimented religion where people are threatened if they don't obey rules and rituals invented by the clergy. Jesus came to teach people that they are God's children, they are free, free to grow as human beings, to become beautiful people as God intended. That can't be legislated. Jesus gave the apostles and the community as a support to provide help and guidance and consolation. Jesus did not envision bosses in the worldly sense. He wanted His apostles to guide and serve, not to dictate and legislate like those who govern this world. Unfortunately, religious leaders model themselves after civil governments and treat people accordingly. In doing this they fall into the same trap that the Scribes and Pharisees fell into, making religion a tangible set of measurable religious observances, which is legalistic and superficial. In doing this they become the focus of religious observance rather than God, and it is their endless rules and their rituals rather than the love of God and concern for others that occupy the peoples attention."
I have been reading the book Joshua by Jospeh Girzone. I know it is fiction, but reading about Joshua, the main character in the book, has really helped me to see more of the tender heart of Jesus.
Here is one exceprt that I found to be very powerful and really spoke to me:
"God never intended that religion become what it is today. Jesus came to earth to try to free people fromthat kind of regimented religion where people are threatened if they don't obey rules and rituals invented by the clergy. Jesus came to teach people that they are God's children, they are free, free to grow as human beings, to become beautiful people as God intended. That can't be legislated. Jesus gave the apostles and the community as a support to provide help and guidance and consolation. Jesus did not envision bosses in the worldly sense. He wanted His apostles to guide and serve, not to dictate and legislate like those who govern this world. Unfortunately, religious leaders model themselves after civil governments and treat people accordingly. In doing this they fall into the same trap that the Scribes and Pharisees fell into, making religion a tangible set of measurable religious observances, which is legalistic and superficial. In doing this they become the focus of religious observance rather than God, and it is their endless rules and their rituals rather than the love of God and concern for others that occupy the peoples attention."
