In the first century something happened that resulted in Christianity spreading like a wildfire. The Christian faith was attractive and seemingly irresistible.
How did that happen? And could it happen again today? I believe so.
See Jesus stepped into history to introduce something new, not just to improve something old. It's the difference between renovating an old house and building a new house. Jesus didn’t come to Jerusalem offering a new version of an old. Jesus was sent to introduce something entirely new.
People gathered by the thousands to listen, to see and to be part of the experience. But it wasn’t just his messages. It was Jesus himself that was irresistible. Jesus loved people who were nothing like him and loved being around him. Jesus invited some of the worst unbelieving, misbehaving, troublemaking men and women to follow him and to embrace something new, and they accepted his invitation.
Christians being Jesus followers should be known as people who love everybody, even those we have nothing in common with. When we invite unbelieving, misbehaving troublemakers to join us, they should be intrigued and interested to accept our invitation.
Jesus came to establish a new movement. It replaced the old behavioural, sacrifice-based systems we find in all ancient religions.
He said the following. John 13: 34-35 “Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples — when they see the love you have for each other.”
This should be our guide on how to once again become a movement where people want to be a part of it.
