The Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard in his writings often speaks about being contemporary with Jesus.  At first I didn´t understand what he meant, and I never heard anybody else speak or preach on it.  Finally the penny dropped and I understood.

In the U.S. I often saw the words “contemporary worship” advertised on the homepages of different churches.  I think they in practice  mean “modern music” adapted to the taste of modern times.  Something like that.

When Kierkegaard challenges us to be “contemporary with Jesus” the emphasis is, in plain words, to be identified with our Savior and let our time be His time or vice versa, to love what He loves, to hate what He hates, to suffer with Him, to be lonely with Him, to pray with Him, to be mocked with Him, to seek the honor of God (and not the honor of men) with Him – summed up with the words of the apostle John, “He who says he abides in Him, ought himself also to walk just as He walked”, 1 John 2:6.

The challenge is not to do the marvelous things Jesus did, but to be governed by His Spirit and not ask for contemporary approval charmed by a worldly spirit (which is the spirit of established Christendom) leaving Him standing outside the door (Rev. 3:20).

I sometimes ask friends who are invited to a big party, a wedding or the like, “Will you be looking for an opportunity to talk about Jesus?”  I often get the answer, “Oh no, not in that party!”

But why not follow the wisdom of Billy Graham who in one of his books says, “I never go to see important people without having the deep realization that I am first and foremost an ambassador of the King of kings and Lord of lords.  From the moment I enter the room, I am thinking about how I can get the conversation around to the gospel…”

That is, as far as I´m concerned, the idea of being “contemporary with Jesus”.  Don´t you think?

October 30, 2012 - jn