The Devil Really is in the Details

S - "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. … Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one." (Matthew 5:17-19, 33-37 NIV)

O - The problem with the religion of Jesus' day was not in its content but in the application/interpretation of it. The religious culture was using the Scriptures to strain out gnats and swallow camels according to Jesus (Matthew 23:24). The result? Their traditions opposed the God they claimed to serve and the source of their worldview and practices was "from the evil one." This is also the problem with the religion of the 21st century. Jesus calls no one to a cause or to convert to a religion. He calls all people to himself and to accept ongoing transformation in their thinking, speaking, loving and living.

A - Heaven doesn’t want me/us to become religious but real. It is not hoping I'll adopt certain religious practices but an ongoing relationship. We are not being called to a worldview but to a person -- and ultimately he will transform everything starting with me/us.

P - Lord,

I say yes to you and to your call to yourself. I don't want to strain out gnats only to swallow camels. Thank you that you're not asking me to change myself but to welcome you and you'll do the changing. I'll follow, you lead.

Yes in Jesus name,

Steve

Leprosy of a Different Kind

S - "While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table. When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.” Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”" (Matthew 26:6-13 NIV)

O - I wonder if Simon was still a leper at this point in the story of his life?  I'm thinking not, at least if Jesus had been asked to help.  At a time when street addresses and national identity cards were nonexistent the designation would stick even if his condition had been remedied.  Regardless, the woman finds her way to where Jesus is reclining and unloads her precious cargo.  The result is interesting on many levels but I'm thinking about two.  First, the value and resale of the perfume was not sought to increase the amount of working capital the twelve had.  Their first thought was it could have been given to the poor not it could have extended the reach and duration of our ministry platform.  This leads to the second thought.  Clearly they are not worried about money.  We have no record of Jesus ever being out of it.  Even in feeding the 5,000 the Scriptures make it clear they had both the funds (Mark 6:37) and the opportunity to buy the food (Luke 9:12) … he just had something else in mind (John 6:6). While he didn't own a chariot and had "no place to lay his head" (Matthew 8:20) he always had a place to sleep.  Apparently the twelve believed and lived out the reality of Jesus' teaching on money:  you can't serve God and money (even daily bread money) and don't worry about it … follow wholeheartedly and it will be added.

A - I admit that my training would have inspired me to think of the resale of the perfume as a great way to further extend whatever my current ministry platform might be.  Sell the perfume, put the funds into the ministry and then maybe give some of it to the poor or others.  This thinking is called good stewardship by the world and is identified as tragic by heaven (financial leprosy).  Jesus is calling all who follow, me included, to think differently about everything … to repent because the kingdom is near, not far away.     

P - God of daily bread and God of me,

I admit that I can't serve you and money … all money.  I admit that you're pleased to give us your kingdom and to add what is needed for daily living.  I admit that my thinking on this is often wrong even though it’s logical.  Thank you for this insight into the thinking of those who were closest to Jesus.  Thank you that transformed thinking, speaking, loving and living is your gift to all who will receive.  I accept and am so glad to be living and praying in Jesus' name.

Steve

The Boxed Set We Can't Live Without

S - "Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. (Mark 1:14-18 ESV)

O - Jesus' inaugural slogan identifies three realities for which the time is now. They are 1.the kingdom is near not far away, 2. repent (μετανοέω) which means to accept changed or transformed thinking about everything not just sins, and 3. to believe the gospel and the gospel is a person from heaven not just information from heaven. Jesus is the gospel.  This is the starting point for each follower each day and each circumstance any day and every day while it's called today.  The Devil, World (secular and religious) and untransformed humanity all take exception to these three at one point or another.  Jesus' point is there are no exceptions … the time is always now for these three.  They are a "boxed set".  The absence or refusal of one leads to the loss of all.  The daily acceptance of one leads to the embrace of all. This is beautifully confirmed in the events which follow his opening statement.  Andrew and Simon respond the way they do because all three are now … and the change in their fishing and thinking isn't something they do "for" Jesus it's something he does in them. They accept the need for transformed thinking and Jesus does the transforming (e.g. 'I will make you').  Please note the brothers' response was immediate (i.e. now).

A - Today for me holds no exception … the "boxed set" is true and waits for me to engage.  The kingdom is not a far off reality waiting for me to die before it "kicks in."  My thinking is in constant need of transformation … I get to bring every thought (not just naughty ones) into the obedience of Jesus.  And, my faith is not in a plan, book or place but the person who is life (cf. John 5:39-40). All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to him (not to concepts, principles or promises).  I am called to his person not a cause and he's working everything for good.  His question to Nicodemus is his question to all: "Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? (John 3:11-12 ESV). Today, all day long, I will believe Jesus about earth.

P - Lord Jesus,

Thank you for giving to the whole world this boxed set … this open door to real and forever life each day.  I admit that there are forces at work, within and without, wanting to bring me to a place which will separate, diminish and ultimately refuse you, the nearness of your kingdom and my ongoing need of transformed thinking.  Relying on you, I will follow today and believe you about earth, not just about heaven.  I love you back!

Immediately,

Steve