On First Impressions

As much as the season of Epiphany is a time for discovering new realities about God in Christ, it is also a time for returning to the basics of the Gospel message. Many of the liturgical readings for this time of the year go back to the beginning of Jesus’ ministry and each gospel narrative sets the stage differently for the extraordinary story about to unfold.

In the early text of Mark—the first gospel to be written down—Jesus is quickly on the move, primarily as a healer. There is no time to waste in this storytelling, as Jesus heals anyone laden with affliction and in the process gathers disciples and followers rapidly. (Mark 1)

In the gospel according to Matthew, Jesus is surprisingly political with the beatitudes—who is truly blessed in the Kingdom of God—taking center stage early on. If Jesus was a politician, this would be his platform. (Matthew 5-7)

In Luke’s account, after the longest introduction of Jesus’ birth and upbringing in the four gospels, Jesus makes a clear break from his earthly family and moves towards a divine calling, beginning his ministry as a teacher and preacher. (Luke 4)

And in John’s poetic writing, Jesus is introduced as the hospitable savior for humankind. His first miraculous sign is at a wedding, famously turning water into wine at the behest of his mother. Around that story are soaring passages about Jesus being the Savior, the Light of the World. (John 1-3)

Now, as much as Jesus comes on to the scene differently by each storyteller, it is essential that we remember this is the same Jesus in all situations. We discover various facets of this extraordinary Messiah and also recognize it is the same one consistently portrayed throughout. It is this same Jesus who will eventually, and willingly, set his eyes on going to Jerusalem and the fate of the cross. During the weeks of Lent to come soon, we will seek to understand what it means to take up our cross as well, and grow in our faith accordingly. In the meantime though, during this current season, we are called to go back to basic training and revisit the values and actions as told and seen in Jesus’ early ministry.

So, we ask ourselves, what are the first impressions we leave upon others? Are our first impressions Christ-like? While specifics may differ from person to person, just like the aforementioned gospel accounts, what makes the Christ follower recognizable?

We should be deeply rooted in a set of ethics that reflect the virtues told in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew. We should have a faith that is welcoming to all—inviting anyone and everyone into this story of salvation—as encouraged by John. We should live in the balance of being in this world and knowing the greater Kingdom of God is to come, as Luke suggests, and sharing this Good News accordingly. In all things, we must act with the immediacy of Mark’s gospel, striving to make a difference in the lives of others around us today, working to bring about meaningful healing in our wounded world.

May all who we interact with us discover these realities in us and find that it is indeed Christ working through us.