Clear and Present Explanation

S - “For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.”  (John 1:17-18 NASB)

O -  The Scripture is telling us that he, Jesus, has explained God. His explanation was and is needed. The term for explained (ἐξηγέομαι) means to lead the way, to reveal, manifest and interpret. The religion of Jesus' day (like all religions to this very day) distorted both the explanation and the message of God. He tells the religious of his day that they are tragically mistaken about God and his Kingdom; whom they claim to represent and know. Jesus consistently makes the point that he is sent by God the Father, only does what he sees his Father doing and only says what his Father is saying. In fact, when anyone sees Jesus he is looking at the Father (John 12:44-45).  Jesus never called and never does call a person to a religion or a cause. Only to himself. "Follow me" is the call and he leads the way in everything … revealing, manifesting and explaining God and his Kingdom.

A - Many claim to represent Jesus when they are actually ignoring, distorting or refusing the very truths he lived and taught. They want to use his words but deny their meaning. To this his instruction is clear: all others are thieves and robbers (John 10).  “Then the disciples came and said to Him, "Do You know that the Pharisees [i.e. the Scripture guys] were offended when they heard this statement?" But He answered and said, "Every plant which My heavenly Father did not plant shall be uprooted. Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if a blind man guides a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”” (Matthew 15:12-14 NASB). Am I following and engaging Jesus and his explanation or the explanations of others … even well intended others?

P - Lord Jesus,

To this very day you remain amazing and openhearted to all. You are the message from heaven. You are life; vibrant, irrepressible, eternal. I admit that you alone are the explanation, revelation and manifestation of God. I say yes to you … only you. All others are blind guides at best and thieves and robbers at the worst. I am grateful to not only belong to you by right but by grace. You lead. I follow.

Amazed,

Steve

Good Business -- Very Bad Practice

S - “The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there. And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. And he told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; do not make my Father’s house a house of trade.”” John 2:13-16 ESV 

O -  This is the first of three Passovers John's account records and the first time Jesus will confront the business of religion. The word translated as trade (ἐμπόριον) is defined as an emporium or mart. Webster says of emporium "1 a: a place of trade; especially: a commercial center b: a retail outlet 2: a store carrying many different kinds of merchandise." Interestingly enough, all of the listed merchandise was a part of what the scriptures instruct concerning the rituals and practices required at the temple. Such items were to be the means by which people would express their hearts and worship; not the means by which others would make their living and create additional income streams for the religion. All religions suffer from this tragic condition which actually inspires its adherents to oppose the very things they claim to believe and uphold.  It was scripturally legal but not spiritually right.  It looked good but was a deviation which propelled people the wrong way. “No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” The Pharisees [i.e. the scripture guys], who were lovers of money, heard all these things, and they ridiculed him [Jesus]. And he said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.” (Luke 16:13-15 ESV) It was a problem in Jesus' day and remains one in ours.

A - Humans exalt increasing revenues.  Heaven is not against them but it is against everything which deceives the hearts and minds of people. It's not just religion which is the promoter of this problem with money.  I have the problem too … Logical thinking which isn't' right thinking.  Money wants me to love it and trust it but it will never love me and is never trustworthy, according to Jesus. He never wants me to be motivated by fear of want (Luke 12:22-34) or by gains made (Luke 12:13-21).  I will embrace the counsel found in 1 Corinthians 3:18-20: “Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you thinks that he is wise in this age, he must become foolish, so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God. For it is written, " He is THE ONE WHO CATCHES THE WISE IN THEIR CRAFTINESS "; and again, "THE LORD KNOWS THE REASONINGS of the wise, THAT THEY ARE USELESS."” [NASB] 

P - God of daily bread,

I am grateful that you willingly take responsibility for our lives … all of our lives. It's how Jesus taught us to pray and live; believing you for one day at a time.  I admit my vulnerability to the things which this words exalts and which you hold as an abomination.  I need and want the ongoing transformation you insist on and Jesus provides.  Thank you for loving us and for letting us live, grow, learn and pray in Jesus and in his name.

Steve 

Project or Project Manager?

S - “So the Jews said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to take up your bed.” But he answered them, “The man who healed me, that man said to me, ‘Take up your bed, and walk.’” They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?” Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place. Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you.” The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him. And this was why the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because he was doing these things on the Sabbath. But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.”” John 5:10-17 ESV

O - Jesus is working with his Father … doing the work the Father is doing.  How is it that he would heal this man after 38 years of crippling illness and not make sure the man knew who he was at the time of the healing? Why doesn't Jesus talk to him about eternal life or ask him to follow?  Why would he tell him to carry his mat when he knew that the religious leaders would be offended and object to this activity (both the healing and carrying the mat) "on the Sabbath"? The work Jesus was doing, this working with his Father, was very different from the expectations of those who claimed to know and represent God.  Jesus believed that his Father was already at work in each one he met and in each situation his faced. He operated under the assumption that it was not up to him to accomplish all of heaven's ultimate desires in every circumstance with every person immediately.  He was confident before, during and after each encounter that his Father was working and would continue to work.   

A - Religion taught me that God was only at work in those who had joined the religion.  Once you're "in" he works.  If you're not in you're on your own.  Jesus did not believe this and so I won't either.  I now know he's working in all. In fact, he has 7.2 billion projects this very day (soon to be 7.3 billion).  My part is to follow, get the beam out of my own eye, and work with him according to that which he already has in mind to do.  I am not a project manager for him. I am one of his ongoing projects.  As such, he invites me, and all who follow, to cooperate with him in the work he is doing in us and then with the work he's doing in others.  

P - Father who works to this very day,

Thank you for working and for wanting to work in me before asking me to work with you.  I welcome everything you have in mind to do in me.  I admit both my need and my desire for ongoing transformation.  I look forward to all you will do and to all you'll invite to do with you.  I will hold every life in the hope of transformation … especially my own. I love you back.  Thank you for letting me live and pray in Jesus.

Steve