Let’s begin with the words of Jesus: “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion (Christianity)? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” MSG . Matthew 11:28-30

Yes, you read that correctly. Many people are tired of how Jesus has been misrepresented over the years.

There are too many brands and expressions of how Jesus is to be understood. 

I have done that myself, preaching one form or another of Jesus’ teachings. I was big on Calvinism. Big mistake. I often laid down too many rules and obstacles for people who came to Jesus. Wrong.

We are not invited to follow the Old Testament or even St. Paul from the New Testament.  We are invited to live with Jesus, the wisest human being ever to live on this earth. In fact, if you can find someone smarter, wiser, or more life-giving, then follow him or her.

Jesus only asks us to come to him. No one or nothing else. 

If you want rules, then here are the only two that Jesus commends to us:

Love God.

Love your neighbor as yourself.

He expounds these two in what has become known as the Sermon on the Mount, found in Matthew chapters 5-7.

Wait, I need to share one more thing that Jesus says time and time again. 

Following him will cost us our egos, our pride, our power.

Because Jesus is love. His love is the path to an abundant life.

At the age of almost 78, I am learning that more and more each day.  I’ve wasted too much time on the religion of ‘Christianity’.