Jesus: Religion or Relationship?
July 13, 2025
For a lot of people today, the word religion brings up more baggage than blessing. And even with religion many still feel lonely, unseen, or like they don’t belong. But Jesus broke the rules of religion precisely to come close to the hurting, the excluded, the everyday people and to redefine belonging.
READ
John 1:14, 16-18, John 15:1-11
Jesus said, "Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing."
REFLECT
1. In Jesus, God becomes touchable, interruptible, emotional, hungry, tired, and shows up totally invested in our world. Have you ever experienced Jesus showing up?
2. Jesus didn’t die for a religion. He died and resurrected for relationship. How can religion become a burden instead of a bridge to God and to others?
3. Who in your world needs less religion and more relationship from you?
RESPOND
1. Before touching your phone each morning, consider taking a few minutes to be still with God, with yourself, and with those you may encounter. Consider praying, “Jesus, help me stay connected to you today."
2. Jesus stepped into spaces others avoided. Intentionally connect with someone who feels unseen, unheard, or excluded.
3. Choose one relational fruit to practice by meditating on this as an attribute of Jesus--patience, gentleness, kindness, joy-- not abstractly, but toward a real person.