Part Five: Jesus and the Jesus Creed

McKnight writes in the prologue for this final section:  "A spiritually formed person loves God by following Jesus and loving others.  A spiritually formed person embraces the stories of others who love Jesus.  A spiritually formed person lives out kingdom values.  A spiritually formed person loves Jesus personally, and participates in the life of Jesus."  And so here we are, hopefully seeing that the radical ways Jesus was committed to the creed of loving God and loving others are also possible and perhaps even necessary for us as Christians, Christ-followers.

   "'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.
    Love the Lord your God with all your heart,
    with all your soul,
    with all your mind, and with all your strength.'
    The second is this:  'Love your neighbor as yourself.'
    There is no commandment greater than these."

IF spiritual formation is as McKnight suggests "about relationship -- with God and with others," then how are YOU building on your relationship with God, with Jesus, and with the Holy Spirit as much as with others who share your life's journey here and now?

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Chapter 25, In the Jordan with Jesus:  Matthew 3:13-17.  "In the Jordan, Jesus repented for us and we are called to join Jesus in his repentance."  How do you view Jesus' baptism?  What does it mean to "repent?"  Upon Jesus' baptism, it is written that God said, "This is my beloved Son."  Does that feel reassuring to you in your own experience of baptism? 

Chapter 26, In the Wilderness with Jesus:  Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13.  "Jesus was tempted and obeyed for us, so we can join him in his perfect obedience--in his perfect trust, his perfect patience, and in his perfect worship. His obedience is ours because his obedience is imputed to us."  How do you understand the story of Jesus' temptation in the wilderness?  How might that example be an act of love for God?  for us?  What experience do you have with being "tested" or tempted?  What's another angle of "obedience" in the Christian faith?  Consider your own levels of patience, trust, and worship.

Chapter 27, On the Mountain with Jesus:  Luke 9:28-36.  "Jesus revealed the glory of our true humanity and the glory of his own Sonship to encourage us to endure suffering and death."  What do you understand of the Transfiguration of Jesus?  Why is it important?  How do you face suffering and death?  What do you fear about suffering and death?  Do the words, "This is my Son whom I have chosen" give you courage?  How does your experience with suffering and death or your observations of others experiencing suffering or death take shape in the good news of Jesus' Transfiguration?

Chapter 28, At the Last Supper with Jesus, Luke 22:7-38.  "Jesus has offered us a token of his body and his blood, in the elements of the Lord's Supper, so we can establish a rhythm of remembrance."  How do you understand the Last Supper of Jesus?  How do you understand communion (eucharist or mass)?  What value you is there for you in ritual, routine, and rhythm?  How is communion an act of love for God and for others?  Reflect on the word "remember."  What rhythm of remembering Jesus will you take on?

Chapter 29, At the Cross with Jesus, Luke 23:26-49, John 18-19.  "The cross Jesus endured reveals God's love for us as physical sympathy, spiritual protection, and moral transformation."  Is the cross a repulsive image for you?  Reflect on the physical pain endured by Jesus.  Flannery O'Connor writes, "There are ages when it is possible to woo the reader; there are others when something more drastic is necessary."  Does this help in any way with a different understanding of the cross?  What does your faith journey need to experience of the cross as relevant or not?

Chapter 30, At the Tomb with Jesus, Matthew 28:1-10, Luke 24:13-35; John 20-21.  "The resurrection of Jesus transforms our disasters into new life."   What argument for the resurrection is most compelling to you?  How do you respond to "disasters" in your life?  How is the resurrection important to day-to-day struggles of life?  in the big issues of life?  How is the resurrection of Jesus an expression of God's love for us?