Someone's Fool

S - “And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.” ’ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. … Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.” Luke 12:16-22, 32-37 NIV

O - Jesus' teaching on the practical necessities of life on earth (what one eats, wears and stores up) is given immediately following the story of the rich fool.  Both the story and the teaching rotate around the idea of no worry about provision for today or in the future.  The fool has no worry because of what he currently has and Jesus calls his followers to no worry because of whose they are (their heavenly Father loves them and will take care of them).  The rich guy is considered smart by the world and a fool by God. Those who believe Jesus about earth and daily bread necessities are considered wise by God and fools by the world. … “‘No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.’ The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. He said to them, ‘You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight.” Luke 16:13-15

A - The world (secular and religious) taught me that a good steward is very concerned (code word for worried) about daily bread issues. Worry is a virtue in earth's understanding of stewardship and motherhood (e.g. worry is one of the "signs" of a mother's love).  Jesus instructs me (and all who follow him) to NOT worry.  When it comes to what we eat, wear and store up he directly tells us to not run after it and to not take it (legally).  He wants me/us to trust, follow and let it be added.  The pagans worry, run after it and take it. The stewardship I was taught by religious leaders is considered wise by the world … but directly refutes and refuses the instructions of Jesus.  They can't both be right, both be wise.  I choose Jesus!  “Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become ‘fools’ so that you may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: ‘He catches the wise in their craftiness’; and again, ‘The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.’” 1Corinthians 3:18-20

P - God of all,

Thank you for sending Jesus to clarify both your person and your purpose.  I gratefully accept his teaching on all matters and am thankful that you call us to live on earth with you as our Father; not a distant, uninterested deity.  I accept my part in trusting, following and receiving rather than worrying, running and taking.  I will believe Jesus about earth and not just about heaven (John 3:11-12).

Living in Jesus and his name,

Steve 

Heaven's Proof Positive

S - “The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. And He found in the temple those who were selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. And He made a scourge of cords, and drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen; and He poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables; … The Jews then said to Him, "What sign do You show us as your authority for doing these things?" Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." The Jews then said, "It took forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?" But He was speaking of the temple of His body. So when He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He said this; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had spoken.” John 2:13-15, 18-22 NASB

O - Jesus was asked to prove he had the authority to do what he was doing; and what he was doing was polar opposite to the culture and prevailing belief structure of his day.  His answer?  Resurrection.  Resurrection is the proof of Jesus' identity and actions.  According to the Scriptures it confirms that Jesus is God's son, the Christ, the Judge, that he will return and that our sins are forgiven (“and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins.” 1 Corinthians 15:17 NASB). In fact, the resurrection is the proof that Jesus is the Good Shepherd and that the Father loves him (cf. John 10:11-18). The context of Kingdom living here and hereafter (the reality which engages all the rest) is the resurrection of Jesus not the crucifixion.

A - The assignment heaven gave the Apostles was to be witnesses of Jesus' resurrection (Acts 1:21-22). The crucifixion is essential and beyond imagination but is not the point of the person, life and teaching of Jesus.  The resurrection was the focus and emphasis and was such for his followers and of all their speaking as recorded in Acts. Paul will say to the believers in Corinth (2 Corinthians 5:14-15, 19 NASB): “For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf. … namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them …”  Since resurrection is heaven's emphasis concerning the person and activity of Jesus, shouldn't it be earth's and mine?

P - God of heaven and earth and all there is,

Thank you sending Jesus to clarify both your person and purposes.  It is a wonderful reality to experience your love and the power of resurrection life, spirit life, here on earth.  I am grateful that you are no longer counting sins and are calling all people to come near in Jesus.  I will join his followers in focused living, speaking, thinking and acting according to his resurrection and irrepressible life. You love the world and I thank you for letting me love you back.

Living in Jesus and his indestructible life,

Steve