Dr Bruce Manners
Senior minister
Avondale College Seventh-day Adventist Church
What if we stripped away the trappings of Christianity and the church? What if we took away the traditions and ceremonies that have gathered around its being? Not the ones initiated by its founder, but those added on the way.
What if we took away the buildings—the churches, the schools, the training centres and the medical centres? What if we took away the hierarchical structure and became a “priesthood of all believers”—equal, but with different roles?
What if we had left only the Man, Jesus Christ? The Rabbi in the peasant clothing who spoke like no other? Who was welcomed by the common people, but feared by many who called themselves righteous? Whose sermon on the mount radically changed perceptions of religion?
What if we had left only the One who claimed unto Himself God-ness? Who claimed Himself ruler of this world? Who claimed a stunning victory over death?
What if it was only Jesus and His followers—nothing else? What if we truly understood this is His church—nothing more? What if we realised anything in addition is meant to aid His church—nothing else, nothing more?
What if we could start again? What if Jesus had been crucified and resurrected two years ago, not two millennia? What if you, a 21st century disciple, were as convinced as first century disciples that Jesus was all He claimed to be?
What if you, like those first disciples, still had ringing in your ears His words commissioning you to go and make disciples? What if you, like they, could still hear the angel’s promise of Jesus’ return?
What if we realised even though time has passed, and despite the various trappings Christianity has gathered, Jesus hasn’t changed? What difference would it make?
Tags: Bruce Manners