Randy Suits

Jesus Didn’t Jump Through Hoops

My Eve,

There was a man who applied for a job as a greeter at a national retailer. He was astonished when he was told that a test was necessary to apply for the job. Not to worry. He had passed many arduous tests in college, an SEC Securities Exam, and many other screening devices. He had jumped through hoops for important jobs. Why would a job which anyone could do be any different? He had never failed a test of this sort in his life. The test had no right or wrong answers. A human resources expert, with a Phd no doubt, wrote it to determine the subterranean depths of the mind and psyche. To his surprise, he was told that he failed the the test, a pre-requisite to be considered for the job. When he saw the people who were selected, he discovered that none were as qualified as he. It reminded him of his Lord Jesus Christ. The priestly class tried to make him, the only begotten Son of God, jump through man made hoops of tradition, custom, convention and the thought of that time. However, Jesus didn’t jump through their hoops; nor did he even try. The man who was rejected for the greeting job, concluded that the test was merely a screening device used by business to eliminate those more than qualified and even the best person for the job, in order to hire personal choices, politically connected or family friends. In other words, it wasn’t about hiring the best for the company, rather the best for the present management. Christ had the exact same situation. Though it was apparent to the masses that Christ understood and interpreted scripture flawlessly (in spirit and in truth), his revelations embarrassed the priestly rulers, who taught custom (making the law of God of no effect) and both added and made exceptions to the law of God as given through the prophet Moses, to the point that they burdened the children of Israel (Jesus said, “how horrible it will be for you experts in Moses’ teachings! You burden people with loads that are hard to carry. But you won’t lift a finger to help them”). He could have been a part of the confusion, ignorance and outright rebellion against God his father, by jumping through the hoops of compromise, convention, custom and wisdom of man (the wisdom of God is foolishness to man). He chose the way of truth and light. To be Gods’ faithful and devoted servant means to be rejected by the world. A true believer will always ultimately be forced to choose between the truth of God and the wayward, evil path of the world. To stand with God means rejection by the world. We must be of good cheer, for Jesus said to his disciples, “be of good cheer, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” We must cling tenaciously to the revealed Word of God and faithfully stand on those principles which will keep us free from the devisive (dividing us and God) teachings, works and lies of satan. Be not discouraged when those who jump through the hoops of compromise are rewarded at our expense. Jesus said, “what benefit is it to gain the whole world and lose your soul.” Let us pray fervently for the lost, that they might be drawn to Christ, and cleave to the life giving Word of God. Our Savior, Jesus, didn’t jump through hoops.

I love you in Christ and as my life mate, Kochany