I want to hear about the Jesus who demanded loyalty, who commanded
authority from storms, sinners and satanic forces, who said vexing and
frustrating and wild things. I want to hear preaching which is not just
faithful to His words but to His TONE: of comfort but also of rebuke, of
welcome but also of warning. I want to hear His dares, His call to come
and die, His challenge to make hard choices. I want the Jesus of the
gospels who does not just meet our needs, but who calls us to bold and
courageous adventure, to self-sacrifice, to taking risks. I want the
Jesus who promises huge rewards for huge sacrifices, who embraces feisty
Peter and wayward Mary and touchy-feely John.
I want the Jesus who welcomed the little children, but also the Jesus
with eyes like a flame of fire, with feet of burnished bronze and a
sharp two-edged sword coming out of his mouth. Whatever that wild
imagery means, I want to grapple with it. I want the Jesus who inspires
my awe and calls forth my worship: a gospel from The Gospels. That's the
Jesus I want. That's the Jesus I need: the one who is worthy of the
honor, adoration and allegiance of men and women alike.
- Bronwyn Lea, from her blog post "What Women Want From the Church"
