Zero Degrees of Separation

S - “but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher. For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.” 2 Timothy 1:10-12 NASB

O - Here we find the term "gospel" referenced as heaven intends.  The gospel is primarily a person not information. Jesus abolished death and brought life and immortality to light … not the information, the person.  Paul's confidence was not in the accurate information about Jesus but in his very person: I know whom not what; I am convinced that He not it; I have entrusted to Him not to it.  There is NO degree of separation … believing facts or truths is insufficient.  They only have consequence in direct and ongoing connection to the person.  All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Jesus (the person); not to facts and truths.  He is the Gospel and he is welcoming all people to life and immortality. 

A - Earth, culture, religion, academics all want to separate the thoughts, ideas, facts and teachings of Jesus from his person; to objectify them.  Heaven, the Kingdom, the only lasting reality intends no such division.  I am not saved by the cross, the blood, the empty tomb.  I am saved by Jesus; it's his cross, his blood and his empty tomb.  According to Jesus, real, eternal life is only found in knowing a person (John 17:3) … and he is even more amazing than the facts.

P - Lord who is near,

Thank you for the confidence found only in your person … and for insisting that we not settle for acceptance of information but engage ongoing relationship with you.  I admit that you are life and give life generously to all who will receive.  You really are amazing.

Grateful for zero degrees of separation,
Steve

Our World's Great Pandemic

S - "Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false testimony against Jesus in order that they could put him to death. (Matthew 26:59 LEB) … Then they brought Jesus from Caiaphas to the governor’s residence. Now it was early, and they did not enter into the governor’s residence so that they would not be defiled, but could eat the Passover."‭‭John 18:28 ‭‭LEB‬‬

O -  This glaring and tragic inconsistency was of no notice or concern to the practitioners and leaders of the religion of Jesus' day. Were they not, even according to their own religion, already defiled by falsely accusing Jesus (the ninth commandment "And you shall not falsely bear evidence against your neighbor." ‭‭Deuteronomy 5:20 LEB)?  Why would they be so careful about observing a (sad) tradition with no support from the Scriptures and blatantly violate one of the Scriptures' primary commands?  This is the blindness caused by all religions; the yeast (hypocrisy) of the Pharisees Jesus consistently warns against and the practice which inspires a complete disregard for the truly important matters ("Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees—hypocrites!—because you pay a tenth of mint and dill and cumin, and neglect the more important matters of the law—justice and mercy and faithfulness! It was necessary to do these things while not neglecting those. Blind guides who filter out a gnat and swallow a camel!" ‭‭Matthew 23:23-24). 

A - Religion is culture; all religion (Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, etc.). This dynamic swirling around Jesus and all the inhabitants of his day is the same one which swirls around me/us. It is the product of culture over time … all culture - religious and secular. Politics, education, science, economics, athletics, social cubs and service clubs, etc. all move to this myopic sickness. For us earthlings there is no once and for all cure, only one specific, intentional, ongoing regimen which will deliver relief. Daily, full strength, complete commitment and response to the person and spirit of Jesus. Relief for me and for all only comes from this one source for all of cultures' expressions.  He says: "Truly, truly I say to you, we speak what we know, and we testify about what we have seen, and you do not accept our testimony! If I tell you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?" ‭‭John 3:11-12 LEB

P - Our Father,

I admit my susceptibility to this great sadness and praise you for engaging the entire human race with it's relief. Thank you for offering it to us all in the person of Jesus and for his willingness to engage an ongoing relational regimen with us. I accept! I am grateful to live and pray in him and in his name.

Steve

Please Don't Pass the Salt!

S - "Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.) Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus. … “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other.”" (Mark 9:5-8, 50 NIV)

O - Jesus stands alone … i.e. he is the first, the priority, the way, the truth and the life. Peter was trying to harmonize the three (Moses, Elijah and Jesus).  The voice from heaven halts this process in its tracks.  "This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!" Moses and Elijah take their rightful place, in the background.  They are not and never were the point.  Jesus always was and always will be the point.  He gives them their significance and rightful place in the Kingdom -- not the other way around.  He (Jesus) draws attention to the most important person we are to influence; the most important person to reach with all that is true. Have salt among or within your selves.  It is always the beam out of my own eye first … Jesus leads the way in 2X4ology. Heaven coaches us all: "Listen to him!"

A - Jesus is the message -- he is the point and the message heaven sends to earth, to all people.  He wants me to get and keep the beam out of my own eye; to accept that no matter where I am or whom I am with the most important person for me to reach or influence is ALWAYS me.  He's not asking me to concentrate on being salt "for" or "in" another but for and in myself.  If I fail to accept this as my focus and priority I will fall prey to the one tragic dynamic he consistently warns against -- the yeast of the Pharisees which is hypocrisy.  If I'm cooperating with him reaching me then I can be assured he will also be reaching through me to the benefit of others. The sign of such salt is being with at peace with each other.  Amazing … I will listen to and follow him.

P - Lord,

Thank you taking away from us the burden to build three booths … to work at trying to accommodate and harmonize everything.  I accept that you call all people to come to you and find rest from all the realities of earth (secular and religious) which exhaust us.  You are amazing and I am so grateful to be loved and wanted by you.  I admit my need of help (not self-help) … unto salt in myself and being at peace with all.

Living and praying in Jesus' Name,

Steve