Small Jesus

Luke 23:35-38
When Jesus is dying on the cross, the religious leaders come to him, mocking him and saying that he is so limited in his power and authority he cannot save himself from this death, from this cross.  They rely on this as proof that he clearly cannot be the Messiah.  Right after this, the soldiers join in the mocking (vs. 36), and then one of the criminals joins in as well (vs. 39).  They relied on what they were seeing as evidence, concrete evidence against Jesus, and their small view of him was then ingested by those around them, infecting them like a disease.  It spread quick.  It is plain to see Jesus cannot save himself, so let us determine from this he is not the Messiah, let us move on, and let us continue to do religion the way we always have, so they concluded.  What rash, deceived, blasphemous, damning remarks they are making and wicked hearts they are manifesting.  And they are passing this along to others, leading them astray from their only hope by their skewed, small view of Jesus.  Are we really that different today?  Is this heart not manifested in us continually?  Is this same small view of Jesus not shared by us presently?  Jesus cannot provide for us, especially in these economic times, so let us do it for ourselves.  Jesus cannot sufficiently draw people to himself, especially with these outdated phrases and methodologies, so let us use our wisdom to update and modernize the gospel.  Jesus cannot fully captivate and sufficiently satisfy, so let us not forsake him, but healthily mesh him with entertainment, worldliness and culture.  Jesus cannot actually lead us in every single area, so let us rely on him and our own common sense.  Jesus cannot come down off the cross, so let us move on.  Is there really a difference?  Do these views not all stem from the same heart and mind?  How small is our view of Jesus?  How limited is he in our opinion?  These religious leaders portrayed a small, impotent Jesus who not only could not save himself, but could not save others either.  We too have portrayed such a small, insignificant, impotent "savior" to the world that we border on their same heresy.  What does our life say to others about Jesus?  None of us would openly say these things, in fact we would deny them vehemently and condemn anyone that would say them.  But it is not our words so much that condemn us in this, but our actions, our methods, our way of life and how it is ordered day to day, Sunday to Sunday.  How many things in our lives do we interpret that Jesus "cannot" do?  Even if it is one thing, or a host of things, it makes no difference, because if Jesus is limited in anything then we have questioned his deity, limiting his omnipotence and sovereignty, stripping of his glory and robbing him of his worship, the exact thing the Pharisees, Sadducees, scribes, and chief priests were doing in this instance.  The seed is the same, though the plant may look different once sprouted.  Is he all powerful?  Is he all-knowing?  Is he perfect and good and trustworthy?  Is he sufficient?  Is he worthy of all glory and complete praise?  If we believe this then we must repent and begin to live like it, and he will be gracious and merciful to do so in our broken hearts.  If we do not, then we might as well move on and stop the charade.