It's not What I Thought: Wise or Foolish?

S - "“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ “ ‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’ “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’ “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour. (Matthew 25:1-13 NIV)

O - There are several uniquenesses about this end of the age parable.  The ten are assessed as either wise or foolish … but in the storyline why aren't the wise labeled as "stingy"? Normally, Jesus will instruct his followers to be relentless in giving, sharing and blessing others but here it is not so.  The foolish, interestingly enough, are in the right place at the right time with the right desire and yet they are shut out of the Kingdom.  The oil they lacked they had access and capacity to have brought with them.  Why aren't they more precisely labeled as lazy? At the end, the "foolish" aren't lectured for a practical failure but are refused for a relational one. The bridegroom refused their entry with the statement: "Truly I tell you, I don't know you." How does this equate to an absence of oil? The answer for understanding both groups, like the truth of understanding the good news, is found in the person of Jesus and people's response to him … not to a place, plan, concept, principle or promise.

A - If I am to be wise, I will never give up anything which would hinder or interfere with my relationship or response to Jesus.  If I am to avoid foolish it means that my thinking, living, speaking and desires are to be shaped and directed by an ongoing personal response which wants to be near/with the person of Jesus not just in a better place or with greater blessing.  To know Jesus is to know and live this … if I'm just engaging an accurate scriptural concept looking to avoid a missing a better place or a blessing I will end up foolish.  

P - Lord Jesus,

I admit that left to myself I am at great risk to end foolish rather than wise.  I want to love you back and stay near your person … whatever waiting is required. I want to be among the wise and want to be a reason others would be among them too.  I will rely on the Holy Spirit interceding for me according to my weakness and God's will.

Hopeful in you,

Steve

Alms FROM the Poor and Alms for the Poor

S - "While Jesus was speaking, a Pharisee asked him to dine with him, so he went in and reclined at table. The Pharisee was astonished to see that he did not first wash before dinner. And the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You fools! Did not he who made the outside make the inside also? But give as alms those things that are within, and behold, everything is clean for you. … Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge. You did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering.”" (Luke 11:37-41, 52 ESV)

O - In these exchanges between Jesus and the religious of his day we find two of the great deceptions promoted by all religions.  The first is what God wants us to give to him.  Religion wants us to give only that which looks good and does not reflect poorly on its adherents.  So give a little money, a little time and show a little compassion as you find it convenient.  The Kingdom wants us to give everything and to start by giving as alms that which is within … including the dark, sinful, warped and broken.  Culture/religion says you're a fool to think God wants the seriously toxic realities inside and yet, according to Jesus, that's exactly what he wants … unto transformation and real life.  The second deception is about knowledge.  Religion places its emphasis on knowing information.  The Kingdom places the emphasis engaging whom and what it is making known.  In religion knowing certain facts is the point.  In the Kingdom, knowing and following a person is the point.  The lawyers would not "enter in" i.e. engage because this is the key. Instead, they simply observed, concluded as they wished and went their own way. 

A - Jesus is sent by the Father to befriend and heal sinners.  He works from the inside out so that what occurs is real, irrepressible life rather than stints at pretend.  I admit that he's knocking on the door of my real and complete self every day … wanting in to be with me.  He wants me to give him everything … especially the flawed, failed and toxic.  He doesn’t want me growing in information but in relationship and following.  I accept the fact that I'm primarily the worksite not the work crew.  I am grateful to know that the Holy Spirit wants to help, intercede for me according to my weakness and God's will (Romans 8:26-27). I say yes to it all!

P - Lord Jesus,

Alms for the poor starts with me, the poorest, giving you everything … especially my toxic worst.  I welcome you to do everything already in your mind to do unto transformation.  I affirm your requirement and my willingness to give you ALL!  I will engage, live out loud, your words on about earth as I love you back and follow day by day.  Thank you for 2X4ology and for loving us first and most and for refusing to change your mind.  I love you back.

Unto to no pretend or pretense,

Steve

My Welcome to My Weakness

S - "The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. … In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God." (Romans 8:15-16, 26-27 NIV)

O - Culture (which includes ALL religions) is quick to point out weakness in others. It chastises, rejects and condemns it and those who manifest it. Heaven will also identify weakness with a very different result … in order to help.  Culture throws out those who are weak.  Heaven wants the weak AND wants into the weakness itself unto the transformation of life.  Culture inspires fear of rejection while heaven offers unconditional acceptance.  Culture will point out the problem but offer no permanent solution.  Heaven will point out the problem and offer lasting adoption … this is God's will on earth for earthlings.  

A - I am always wanted … not just at my best but especially at my worst.  Heaven is not yelling at me (or at anyone) to get the weakness out. Instead, it calls and asks to be invited into that very weakness.  I don't get darkness out of a room, I bring light in.  I don't get weakness out I accept adoption and welcome the Helper in.  He will intercede for, intersect and interfere with me and my weakness unto transformation.  WOW! I accept!

P - Abba,

Thank you for wanting all to be adopted.  No fear of rejection.  No condemnation. No hiding, pretend or cover-up.  I throw open my very little and often tragically weak self to you … my complete self and say come in and see everything and do everything you wish.  I accept your invitation to adoption.  I want and need help, not self-help. I love you back with all my heart and in all my weakness.

Steve