Forget Arguing the Point - Live it!

S - “‘Why then,’ they asked, ‘did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?’ Jesus replied, ‘Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.’ The disciples said to him, ‘If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry.’ Jesus replied, ‘Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given. For there are eunuchs who were born that way, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others – and there are those who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.’” Matthew 19:7-12 NIVUK

O - The question is asked by those who were devoted to the Hebrew Scriptures. They studied, memorized and taught them. Jesus' answer concludes rather curiously on a couple of counts as he's being tested by the Pharisees. First, his answer cut against their understanding and practice. Since, from their perspective, Moses obviously permitted, validated and affirmed the practice of divorce, the answer to their question should have been a simple yes. Such a reply would not only give the 'right answer' but affirm the 'right view' of scripture. After upholding scripture Jesus refutes their conclusion … so much so that his own disciples are shocked. Then secondly, instead of demanding universal acceptance and compliance of his authoritative reply Jesus tells his followers "The one who can accept this should accept it." Isn't that a weak and dangerously permissive approach? No. Jesus is never satisfied with someone who can give a correct answer. He is calling all to follow him and to refuse a focus on someone else's shortcomings and failures. He wants his followers less concerned about authoritative pronouncements and more concerned about authentic living.

A - Religion (culture) wants the focus on authoritative pronouncements while Jesus wants to enable all people to authentic and abundant living. Religion will argue the point where Jesus will embody it. Religion will accuse others of compromising the truth of scripture while Jesus will invite all people (the strictly religious included) to accept the purpose and point of the scriptures. The purpose of the scripture is not about pronouncements or plans but about being a witness to a person who is life itself (John 5:39-40).  The point of scripture is me getting the beam out of my own eye rather than yelling about the sawdust in another's (Matthew 7:1-5). In the words of Jesus, I can and will accept this!

P - Great King and True Friend of all,

Thank you for calling me and the entire world to yourself and not to a cause. Thank you for loving us first and most and for refusing to change your mind. I accept the purpose and the point of the scriptures. I admit my huge need of help in this and every regard; to love you back with my all, to love my neighbor as myself and to get and keep the beam out of my own eye. I accept you who are life and the 2x4ology you require.

All in according to love,

Steve

Don't Change the Words of Jesus, Believe Them

S - “As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. ‘Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will send you [my highlight] out to fish for people.’ At once they left their nets and followed him.” Matthew 4:18-20 NIVUK

O - This well-known exchange between Jesus and the brothers is misrepresented by the translators and publishers of this most recent edition of the NIV and NIVUK. The change appears to be a small one. One most likely justified under the guise of dynamic equivalency. The problem is it is not even close to what Jesus said and it obscures his way of engaging people. The verb (ποιέω) occurs in the New Testament 576 times according to Strong's Concordance, has no definition associated with sending and is never translated as send until now. In fact, no other translation renders this verb in this passage any other way than make (i.e. I will make you …). This story is also told in Mark 1 and there the NIVUK and NIV accurately translate the same verb as make. So why the change and more importantly why does it matter? Jesus did not say follow me and I will send you …, though he will later send them out. He said follow me and I will make you … and the critical point is what action is being accomplished in those following and who engages the action prescribed. Jesus wants the brothers to follow and he will do the making, transforming them into those who fish for people. Publishers should never change the words of Jesus and followers should believe them.

A - According to Jesus, he wants me/us to focus on following his person and he will focus on making his followers everything he intends for them/us to be. He does the creating and transforming; we don't make ourselves anything. He doesn't want our help he wants our cooperation. He leads and we follow. He does the making and we experience the joy of his person and the ongoing miracle of personal transformation.  I accept the assignment to follow and cooperate. He'll do the leading and the making -- beautiful!

P - Lord who leads and makes,

Thank you for calling all citizens of planet earth to the exact same point of engagement - following you. I'm relieved that I'm not required to make myself anything and to cooperate with everything you already have in mind to do in me and then to do together with you. I accept. I will live and pray in Jesus' name.

Steve

Worthy of Death

S - "So, because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jewish leaders began to persecute him. In his defense Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.” For this reason they tried all the more to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God. Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed." (John 5:16-20 NIV)

O - Culture (secular and religious) not only takes on a life of its own it actually takes life. This life taking is a dynamic affecting more than those it executes. It takes life from all who subscribe to its demands. Culture must take life to exist. It takes life from all who embrace and follow it.  Jesus is worthy of its wrath because of when and how he chooses to help those culture has already categorized, written off and discarded. He is not in line and under the control of culture's worldview on healing, helping, God, religion and the like. In stark and direct contrast to culture is the Kingdom of God which is not only near but life giving to all who engage. Everything in the kingdom lives and is life giving; living bread, living water, living words, living stones, living sacrifices, living faith, hope etc. the person, life, words and activity of Jesus exposes culture for what it is and therefore he comes under its wrath. It will pursue him to death … only to be repelled and repudiated by him who is the resurrection and forever life. All are invited to join him in this life and work which continues to this very day. It is the life that is really life!

A -   Culture thinks God is waiting for us to give life to his desires and plans. Jesus says he's already working everything for good and is inviting us to join him in the work that is life giving to all. I choose to say yes to him, his invitation, the work he's already doing and to all he has in mind to do. Culture wants to control me with fear and the kingdom wants to inspire me with love. Culture needs my life's energies to exist and the kingdom that can never end is offering to infuse me with vibrant, irrepressible life.

P - Lord God who is life,

It is amazing that want us to join you in your work and life … irrepressible life. I give myself, little and weak, to you and all you already have in mind to do … unto the life that is really life.

Amazed in Jesus,

Steve