Fractals
The word fractal comes from mathematics and physics. It’s defined as a
Contraction of “fractional dimension.” This is a term used by mathematicians to describe certain geometrical structures whose shape appears to be the same regardless of the level of magnification used to view them. A standard example is a seacoast, which looks roughly the same whether viewed from a satellite or an airplane, on foot, or under a magnifying glass. Many natural shapes approximate fractals, and
they are widely used to produce images in television and movies.”[1]
The “natural shapes” refer to plants such as ferns in which each individual part looks exactly like the whole leaf.
This is an example for us in the physical realm for us as Christ followers: we should look and act just like Jesus.
You know, when we ask a person if they like the church they often say no. But if we ask if they like Jesus - the answer is generally yes. Why is that? It is because we don’t look and act like Jesus.
The best advice for change is to read the Gospels in the New Testament. See for yourself how Jesus responds to the crowds, the religious leaders, the tax collectors and sinners. As you are reading, pretend you are part of the crowd.
Which part are you? Why? How do Jesus’ words affect you?
Now pretend you are a member of a different crowd. What changes?
Jesus Forgives and Heals a Paralytic
9 So He got into a boat, crossed over, and came to His own city. 2 Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.”
3 And at once some of the scribes said within themselves, “This Man blasphemes!”
4 But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? 5 For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk’? 6 But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—then He said to the paralytic, “Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” 7 And he arose and departed to his house.
8 Now when the multitudes saw it, they marveled[a] and glorified God, who had given such power to men.
Matthew the Tax Collector
9 As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” So he arose and followed Him.
10 Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
12 When Jesus heard that, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, [b]to repentance.”[2]
Is Jesus always sympathetic and careful not to make someone feel bad?
Are Jesus’ words always true? How did He prove that in this passage?
Who is happy in this passage? Who is embarrassed?
What do we deduce from this passage about being more like Jesus?
How close do we come to the standard?
[1] THE NEW DICTIONARY OF CULTURAL LITERACY, THIRD EDITION COPYRIGHT © 2005 BY HOUGHTON MIFFLIN HARCOURT PUBLISHING COMPANY. PUBLISHED BY HOUGHTON MIFFLIN HARCOURT PUBLISHING COMPANY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED; accessed from dictionary.com 06.19.19
[2] Matthew 9: 9-13 New King James Version (NKJV) biblegateway.com accessed 06.19.19