Jesus – The Paradox

Jesus is a paradox. He is wholly inclusive and simultaneously wholly exclusive. He invites everyone to come to Him (John 3:16). Yet, in accepting Him, we are to follow only Him, whatever the cost (John 14:6).

Jesus’ inclusive/exclusive message offends in equal measure. It offends that, in loving our neighbour as ourselves, we must love those who are different from us or who make us uncomfortable. And it offends that His call to repentance compels us to give up those things that possess us. We are inclined to lessen the offence by watering down Jesus’ message. So, we may think we are modelling Jesus in loving our neighbour but what we’re really saying is “be like us.” Or, we exhort people to come to Him as they are but omit to ask “Are you willing to bow the knee?”

And there’s the trap. Because, whenever we top and tail Jesus like this, we inevitably wind up with a Jesus in our own image. By ignoring His call to “Go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19), we turn Him into a badge of honour that says our own obedience makes us right with Him. And, by trivialising His exclusive claims, we reduce Him to no more than a social justice warrior who affirms us as we are.

But Jesus did not sit with sinners and tax collectors because He wanted to appear inclusive, tolerant and accepting. He was all those things. No, He sat with them to call them to a changed and fruitful life. Jesus models this in His response to the woman caught in the act of adultery (John 8:2-11). Jesus says to those intent on stoning her “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her” (John 8:7). It is a gracious response to the woman’s sin - the Law demanded she be stoned to death! Yet, the example is too often quoted out of context, ignoring what Jesus does next. Turning to the woman, He says “Go now and leave your life of sin” (John 8:10).

The story demonstrates both the inclusivity and exclusivity of Jesus. He is not one or the other. He is one and the other. Not so inclusive as to dodge the hard conversations. Not so exclusive as to dismiss people when they are on their knees. Jesus’ inclusivity opens the clenched fist of the self-righteous hypocrite to offer his hand to the woman at the well and show her that He “really is the Saviour of the world” (John 4:4-42). And His exclusivity narrows the vision of the opened-minded rich young ruler until He is the only One in view to reveal the “treasure” that compels him to sell everything and follow Him (Matthew 19:16-22).

So, we should celebrate the paradoxically inclusive/exclusive Jesus. It’s what makes Him so attractive and appealing. Because, in calling us to love our neighbour as ourselves and to walk with them through the narrow gate, Jesus changes us all. Yes, the gate is narrow. But it’s still wide enough for the entire world to pass through if it chooses to accept Him. And that, my friends, is good news!