Jesus clearly

Can the pendulum be at both edges at the same time?

It's interesting to note the paradox that exists in the world and in the church today. On one hand, it seems many believers are getting more and more focused on Jesus Christ -- on his life, his teachings, his vision, his works, and his calling. On the other hand, there are many in the world, and also in the church, who are shying away from Jesus Christ, apparently on the grounds that it is he who is offensive to other religions and other cultures.

The more I look into Scripture, the more I realize that we err if we do anything other than direct everything about our lives toward Jesus Christ. In Jesus, God fully and finally revealed himself to mankind, and it's in Jesus, Paul said, that we "live and move and have our being." To paraphrase Dallas Willard, true disciples must believe above all else that the life Jesus lived exemplified the ultimate life any human being can live.

The question begs asking: Why are some so afraid of Jesus? Looking into the gospels, the ones who were most afraid of Jesus were those in religious positions of authority who felt they had something to lose if they chose to follow him. Those who truly needed him were drawn to him and often found themselves completely comfortable in his presence.

So the roads are clearly marked: take Jesus as the ultimate example of how I should live my life, or take offense at him for so clearly marking the roads.