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Jesus Is In the ‘Hood’
For those of you who are my age, ‘hood’ is slang for neighborhood. “The word became flesh and blood, and moved into the (hood) neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, Generous inside and out, true from start to finish.” John 1:14, Msg
In order to properly comprehend how huge this is we need to see it from the Father’s perspective. How many fathers out there would send their child into the world’s most violent and dangerous ‘hood’ as a baby? And even more bizarre he sent him to a homeless single mom. That’s radical! Wait, there’s more. He continues to send him to every ‘hood’ in every tribe, tongue and nation every day, everywhere throughout history! Here’s the issue. Have you seen Jesus in your ‘hood’ lately? Have you seen the one-of-a-kind glory of his presence? Have you experienced his generosity inside and outside?
This begs to question, have you seen him or are you even looking for him in your ‘hood’? Or are you blinded-sided by cathedrals and buildings, programs, so-called correct theology or sound doctrine, crosses and trinkets, and/or proper behavior and religious costumes? Or even more insane are you looking for him to show up in your ‘hood’ having the “right” skin color or ethnicity? Any of these barriers only rob you of personally experiencing and sharing Jesus in your ‘hood’.
Father will never compromise his original thought and purpose in sending Jesus the way he did and still does! “The word became flesh and took up residence (tabernacles or hangs out) in us, and we gazed with wonder and amazement upon the mystery of our inclusion in him (theaomai, to gaze upon, to perceive). We saw his glory (doxa, the display of his opinion); the glory of the original, authentic begotten of the Father; full of grace and truth.” (The original mind, or opinion of God, preserved and now revealed in Christ. He is both the “only begotten,” monogenes, as in authentic original mold, as well as the first born from the dead {Col 1:18, 1 Peter 1:3}.) The Mirror
1 John 1: 1-4
“That which is most significant in time, first in position, and highest in rank, that which is original entered our ears and we recognized its authenticity. It opened our eyes and we have gazed upon it ever since! This Word is life and has become a present and tangible reality for us. Life appeared and captured our attention—we resonate with confirmation.
We cannot but declare to you that this is absolute life, the way Father intended it from the very start. It is now clear to us. That which awakened our ears and arrested our attention is what we declare to you, in the confidence that the same intimacy we enjoy will be ignited in you also! This fellowship, this entanglement is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. We write this that you may enjoy this perfect delight with us.” (Andre Rabe, Breath of Life)
When Jesus was asked by elitist religious leaders, which is the greatest command of God; he put their religious world on notice with his reply? What he declared sums up the entirety of all law—‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it; love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hand on these two commandments. (Matthew 22: 37-40, NIV)
Jesus established that these two laws are the royal law of love. When Jesus is in your ‘hood’ love for self and neighbors (near one’s) is the supreme evidence! Yes, you and I are empowered by our union (he in us and us in him) with Jesus to love ourselves and others. Does that come anywhere near to your daily reality?
Ron Ross