My Jesus I love thee!

Two weeks ago I was sitting in my Gospels class with Dr. Brown (my new hero!)
In devotions that morning she was telling us about how she remembered Jesus growing up in the church. How they portrayed Jesus as a blonde lighter skinned man. I sat in church and looked at the Jesus in the stained glass behind my pastor yesterday. He was not blonde but he did not look very middle eastern either. My professor went on to read to us from Time magazine 2008 future revolution ideas that stated Re-Judaizing Jesus as one of them. The reason why I write (ok type) this is because tonight someone asked me to summarize my two weeks. Oddly it was something one of the graduates mentioned at our communion service last Friday. For most of my life I put Jesus in a box. I let Jesus operate in the small box I put him in. I knew the Bible stories about Jesus. I knew how to pray. I had scripture memorized. I went to church twice on Sunday. I did the “Christian” thing. All of those things I let Jesus stay in the small box I put him in. Since going to Seminary almost two years ago my box keeps getting larger and larger. The answer to Who is Jesus has changed for me. I sat in Global and Contextual as my first class as was amazed at the passion of Dr. Magnuson and his passion for Muslims. My box grew in love for Muslims. As I sat in Hermeneutics I was in awe that I actually knew what that word meant and at the seeing the big picture and not jumping into the spirals. As I took Systematic Theology Dr. Lawrence and his presentation of community through the Trinity blew me away. I could go on and on about each of the classes at Bethel. Each time I leave I process. Each time I process my box gets bigger. The box does not just get bigger but so much better. I pray God continues to widen my box and open my eyes to the glory of new things.

The song that comes to my mind is one I learned and had memorized as a little girl.
My Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine;
For Thee all the follies of sin I resign;
My gracious Redeemer, my Savior art Thou;
If ever I love Thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.

I love Thee because Thou hast first loved me,
And purchased my pardon on Calvary's tree;
I love Thee for wearing the thorns on Thy brow;
(Oh my Saviour) If ever I love Thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.

It is now (if ever I love my Saviour, 'tis now etc)
It is now (if ever I love my Saviour, 'tis now)

In mansions of glory and endless delight,
I'll ever adore Thee in heaven so bright;
I'll sing with the glittering crown on my brow,
If ever I love Thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.