Hippy Jesus

"Jesus was drawn to those who were powerless, those who were marginalized, those who needed help and admitted it. The same is true today."
-Rebecca Lutzer, Jesus, Lover of a Woman's Soul

As I read this just a few minutes ago, I was reminded of many conversations that I've had over the years with friends about Jesus and what He stood/stands for.

A few months ago, I was talking to one friend who is an atheist, he said that he liked my idea of Christ, much like the one above, calling it a "Hippy Jesus." I do not necessarily think of Jesus as a hippy but rather someone who cares and understands us on a deeper level than anyone can. He accepts our faults and loves us regardless of them. He welcomes the ones who others do not welcome. He opens his arms to all and loves the marginalized, the hurt and the desperate.

One reason I like this quote is that Jesus was drawn to "those who needed help and admitted it." The first step of AA is that people realize that they need help. They become willing to fix what they are doing wrong in order to become better people. Jesus opens his arms to those who seek help.

We all have faults but Jesus looks past them and loves us as we are.

Today, instead of finding faults in others, embrace those who you would not normally embrace, love those who you would not usually love and share the love of God with everyone you encounter.