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