There are a number of sites online that offer quotes from famous people. It can be helpful for one called upon to make speeches or preach. A pithy quote that supports the point one is trying to make, adds variety and can prove to be memorable. In fact, if you look at the site BraineyQuote.com, you’ll find some attributed to Jesus. For the most part he’s quoted correctly, and if you know the context in which the quotes live, they are powerful ones. But what I discovered at the bottom of the page is a heading “Related Authors,” with tabs you can click for Ghandi, MLK, Jr., Buddha, Dali Lama, Napoleon, Martin Luther, Margaret Thatcher, and Sai Baba. Hmmmm . . . The inference is that Jesus is just another famous person who has something interesting, even profound, to say. You might be inspired by him, or you might be inspired by Napoleon, or Ghandi, or the Dali Lama (I didn’t take the time to click on the links, but I’m intrigued as to how Napoleon is a related author — I’ll look later).
While it’s understandable how the curators of the site could list Jesus with other historical figures. To suggest that his words exist on a level plane with those of mere humans, however, is to not take seriously what he said was happening when he spoke. He was scattering the seed of God’s word and the expectation was that his seed should find good soil so that it could produce abundant fruit to the glory of God (Luke 8:4-15). His were not words, therefore, that could be taken or left at the listener’s discretion. They were to be heard and heeded, and they were to take priority over every other word that has been spoken or might be spoken.
But for the word to realize its full potential requires rich soil, an "honest and good heart" that bears fruit with patience. This is the soil found in the “sinful woman” who wept at the feet of Jesus (Luke 7:36-50). She knew she needed Jesus, and when she heard him it caused her to humble herself and, in gratitude, worship. Hard soil, like the heart of Simon the Pharisee, does not receive the word and in not receiving does not believe and is not saved. I fear that is too often the case for those clicking through the quotes of Jesus on BrainyQuote.com. His words do not generate faith, nor is humility engendered. As a consequence, the word that was meant to bring life becomes a one that ensures judgment.
Let’s pray that the words of Jesus, whether preached, shared one with another, or even encountered on a website, will find fertile ground in the hearers so that they will receive the comfort Jesus offered to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”
