go: chapter 1: the jesuses i have known, part two

a few evenings ago, i had the opportunity to break bread (literally) with three friends at the irish rover. these three friends are all pastors. two of them were in louisville on mission, representing their local baptist association as it seeks people interested in and equipped for planting churches in northern illinois. both of these guys are making it a point to participate in the emergent church conversation (in fact you can find some of their attempts at dialogue here and here). during our time over scotch eggs, coffee, tea, and libations of various sorts, one thing that really struck me was the fact that, despite the claims of many "prominent" evangelical leaders, it seems that more than a few people in the ec are genuinely concerned with the truth claims of the gospel. in fact, as i thought of bdm's chapter 1 from a generous orthodoxy and my reflections on it, i felt (and still feel) fairly certain that both these young pastors are as concerned with the jesuses of the bible (i so want to add "maybe even more so") as the ec's loudest critics. all of this, of course, brings me back to the second of four parts contemplating the jesuses i have known.
jesus 1: shortly after walking out on the water to join his frightened and amazed disciples in their boat, jesus was forced to rebuke and to instruct those people who were following him. "you are seeking me," he said, "not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of loaves." jesus then implored with them to seek food that lasts, namely, himself. for later he told them, "i am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst." all the spiritual sustenance men and women need--that is a jesus worth knowing. no. it is a jesus that must be known.
jesus 2: plagued by divisions and indecision, the pharisees struggled to find a way to end jesus' earthly ministry. one might think that since danger was imminent, jesus would lay low for a while. one would be wrong. instead, he spoke to the crowds following him, including some pharisees. "i am the light of the world," he claimed, "whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." he then proceeded to prophesy concerning his death and the benefits that such would offer to those who knew him. the light of the world. a light that exposes sins and makes it possible for men and women to know the father. a light that must be known.
jesus 3: after healing a man blind from birth (who, along with his parents, has an interesting conversation with jewish leaders), jesus assured his disciples that they have spiritual sight. he then taught them what it meant to be counted among his sheep. in spite of their guilt and sin, he will protect them as his own. because they are his own. given to him by the father. "i am the good shepherd," he proclaimed, "i know my own and my own know me, just as the father knows me and i know the father; and i lay down my life for the sheep." one willing to die for stupid, guilty sheep. again, a jesus that must be known.