The other morning, it struck me that we have many kinds of coffee machines in our kitchen. We have:
- a regular coffee maker that is occasionally used.
- an espresso machine that maybe gets used once or twice a week.
- A Nespresso that seems to get used a little more often.
- An aeropress that I use everyday.
- Coldbrew that we sometimes use in the Summer.
In fairness, we have five coffee drinkers in the family, so everyone has a variety of ways for making whatever kind of coffee they want at any given time. It’s also very clear to me that each person in my family has very distinct tastes and ideas about what they want and don’t want for their coffee. In my family, one size does not, fit all as it relates to drinking coffee and many other things.
As I think about this, I’m reminded of the variety of ways in which people interacted with Jesus when He lived in our human existence. Some people interacted with Him for a quick shot, a hurried healing, free lunch or intense exchange. Most of the Pharisees and religious leaders had sharp interactions with Jesus and loads of folks received fast healings and quick solutions from Him. Maybe these exchanges were kind of like espresso shots – one hit, super intense and very energizing.
Some other folk interacted with Jesus maybe in more of a mechanical way, such that they regarded Him as a machine or method to get what they wanted. Maybe this group would be like a normal coffee maker or Nespresso, such that they hoped Jesus would be a political liberator from the Roman occupation and oppression. Maybe Judas Iscariot (the dude who betrayed Jesus) was in this group of people, as he was known to look after the money bag for Jesus and pilfer it for his own desires. With these folks, there were many who left Jesus when He said difficult things – stuff they didn’t understand or agree with, consider John 6:60-66. Perhaps they left Jesus when things didn’t work the way they wanted or expected, like when a coffee maker breaks down.
Finally, there were lots of people who had more of the lingering, slow brew and even “pour over” type of relationship with Jesus. These were the people who followed Jesus through thick and thin as well as hot and cold seasons. I’d suggest that Peter along with Mary Magdalene would be examples of individuals who stayed with Jesus no matter what the brewing process entailed and came to know Jesus in great depth, intimacy, honesty and love. I think that we could consider these folks to be like the cold brew people – the ones who stayed with Jesus in darkness (Gethsemane) and the absence of warmth and security (the uncertainty between His death and resurrection).
I’d like to think that I’m the “pour over” and cold brew kind of follower with Jesus. I want to think that I stay with him no matter what’s happening or not happening, no matter the miracles or madness and no matter the clarity or obscurity. Let’s join together before the upcoming Easter season and stay committed to growing deeper and closer with Jesus!
