Todays Disturbing Complacency thought has been digging away at me all day.

What if it was not Jesus’ crucifixion that saves us?
What is it was the way he lived his life that saves us?
Is it possible that Jesus would want us to focus on his lifestyle because that is what gives meaning to his crucifixion?

My evangelical upbringing screams ‘no’ to this thought.
But as I reflected on the strength of my reaction and as well as considering the motivation behind my reaction I also pondered those ‘what if’s’ of above.

I have often thought that we reduce God to something manageable so that our minds can cope. Could it also be possible that we have reduced the life of Jesus to the crucifixion? Further still, is it possible that we have reduced the crucifixion to an act of ‘saving us’ when in reality there is so much more to that seemingly single act?

I am not saying that Jesus’ death did not save us, but I am wondering if that is the whole story. Are we missing a more complete picture and therefore a more complete image of who God is, and a so missing out on a more complete relationship with God?