I love this imagery of the aerobics of Jesus from my conversation with Rev. Corey Widmer.

If you try to mend broken things and get in the middle of conflict, you’re going to get knocked down. People aren’t going to like it. You’re going to get thrown down on your back.

That’s the continual movement of grace: on your knees, on your feet, on your back. This is actually the postures of Jesus. Jesus first begins on his knees. He begins in abject humility and poverty. He emptied himself and made himself nothing.

Jesus is filled up by the Spirit at his baptism, and he has this amazing ministry of healing and extending God’s compassion and justice. And then what happens? He gets pinned down on his back and crucified. This is actually the pattern, the aerobics of Jesus. It’s the aerobics of his people. And it’s a very different pattern than the narrative of American p0litics, which is about fortifying your base, seizing power, gaining control. This is the opposite of that. Jesus is saying, in my kingdom, it’s a different pattern. It’s a different way of engaging and being in the world.

You can listen to more of our conversation here.

MORE WITH AMY JULIA:

• FREE DOWNLOAD: 5 Ways to Experience God’s Love and Practice Peace
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• S7 E15 | Bringing Politics Under the Power of Love with Michael Wear

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