Not Nice Jesus

Jesus was not a nice man.

What do we mean when we characterize someone as nice? I guess I picture someone who smiles a lot, who never says anything inappropriate, who does those little things that are expected and sweet. I also think of a nice person as one who lives a life that doesn't upset anybody. My buddy Webster says nice means "agreeable, pleasant, delightful; courteous and considerate; conforming to approved social standards."

Jesus was not a nice man. He was very loving, very honest, very sincere. He cared deeply for each and every person. He never excluded anyone, no matter what their social status was. But nice? No.

I struggled to be nice when I was a teenager. I tried to be "agreeable, pleasant, delightful; courteous and considerate." I wanted to conform, to fit in. Instead, I should have tried harder to be caring, honest, sincere, and loving.

A nice church, I suppose, is agreeable, pleasant and conforms to approved social standards. A church that seeks to share Christ won't necessarily be nice. It will be Christ-like; caring for those in need, standing up for the truth and reaching out with love to one and all.

Have a nice day. No, I guess what I mean to say is, may God bless you this day as the love of Christ is shed abroad in your heart.