Christians can read the Bible every day and still have our hearts firmly against the ways of the kingdom of God.

Unless we read scripture through the lens of the crucified Christ, our exegesis is dangerously subject to personal preferences and political allegiances.

To read the Bible through the lens of the crucified Christ is to examine all of scripture through Jesus.

The invitation, then, is to read the gospels thoroughly. See Jesus at work. Take note of the people he offers compassion to. Pay attention to his strong words to those who misuse their power. Absorb the counter-cultural teachings; the subversive metaphors.

Meditate on his penchant for forgiveness, and his refusal to maintain the status quo of the religio-political system. Watch whom he touches, and whom he rebukes.

Contemplate his self-giving love; his conquering of death; his defeat of the powers.

Out of this disciplined practice of beholding the Son of God in action, we’d do well to examine our theological conclusions, and social engagement—with a community of people seeking to do the same.