The Real Jesus and Real Followers

S - ““Listen carefully to what I am saying—and be wary of the shrewd advice that tells you how to get ahead in the world on your own. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity. Stinginess impoverishes. … Jesus called the Twelve to him, and sent them out in pairs. He gave them authority and power to deal with the evil opposition. He sent them off with these instructions: “Don’t think you need a lot of extra equipment for this. You are the equipment. No special appeals for funds. Keep it simple. “And no luxury inns. Get a modest place and be content there until you leave. “If you’re not welcomed, not listened to, quietly withdraw. Don’t make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and be on your way.”” Mark 4:24-25, 6:7-11 MSG

O - The Jesus of the accounts (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) is very different from the Jesus of religion … including the religion(s) which claim to be his representatives on earth. In his day and in ours many claim to be his followers. Thankfully he gave clear and concise, easy to understand, validation points which verified his own then and now. As in the sentences above, his followers actually believe him and his instructions about earth, not just about heaven (cf. John 3:11-12).  They live out loud his words. They fulfill the essential qualifier which confirms the status as one of his followers: ““Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.”” 

A - The great beauty in the qualifiers Jesus gives which confirm those who are actually following him (i.e. the real Jesus not the religious one) is that those following realize that they are not the judge of another's status. As one attempting to follow I can share the qualifiers with others but not judge their compliance. The only application and validation I can make is about me … am I living them out loud? The religious Jesus inspires the judgment of others. The real Jesus just wants each one to get and keep the beam out of their own eye. I will believe Jesus about all aspects of earth. I will embrace the truth that the most important person for me to reach and influence in this regard is me. I am to judge no one and love unconditionally.

P - Lord of all and Lord of me,

Thank you for calling me to know and follow you; for loving me and letting me love you back; for leading and teaching me about earth and not just about heaven. Today I would like to completely reach me with your words, spirit, presence and love … I would like to be a fountain welling up with your irrepressible life flowing into me and out of me. I admit I cannot discover you, even in the Scriptures … you must be revealed. I admit my need and inability to pull this off on my own. I ask for and accept the help of the Helper.

I want to live and pray in Jesus and in his name,

Steve

The Trial Continues

S - “Or else let these men themselves say what wrongdoing they found when I stood before the council, other than this one thing that I cried out while standing among them: 'It is with respect to the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you this day.'” Acts 24:20-21 ESV

O -  In these words spoken by Paul to Felix the crux of the conflict is articulated. This point of intense dispute will be restated in the trials before Festus (Acts 25) and then Agrippa (Acts 26).  The issue is the person of Jesus and his resurrection from the dead. Please note the issue is NOT the office of Christ and the crucifixion. The concept of an anointed/blessed one (Christ) and a sacrificial death (crucifixion) is readily accepted by the religious and the secular. The person and resurrection of Jesus is the collision of heaven and earth; making this clash inevitable because the Kingdom of Heaven is near, not far away. 

A - The trial of the resurrected Jesus is also conducted in me day by day. It's not about the facts but the application of them. Will I live today in reliance on the person and presence of Jesus or relegate him to an historic past with little effect on this day until "this day" is the day I die? Is my thinking being transformed according to resurrection life and living in the here and now?  Paul's question before Agrippa remains essential: “Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead?” Acts 26:8 ESV

P - Jesus,

You are the resurrection and the life; today and every day unto the ages to come. I admit the need for continuing change in my thinking, speaking, loving and living. I welcome the collision of your irrepressible life with/in my little earthly one. Thank you for wanting us; for loving us first and most and for refusing to change your mind.

Grateful for the nearness of your kingdom,

Steve

The Life and World Changing Combination

S - “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” Matthew 5:13-16 NLT

O - Salt and light - both essential to our lives on earth. Both consistent in their natures. Jesus thinks that our lives should hold properties as essential and consistent as salt and light …  dynamics which are critical to us and to our world. In his teaching and living Jesus repeatedly identified one primary instruction (salt?) and one primary commandment (light?). The instruction: do not judge. All judgment is deferred to the last day; and even then none of us are the judge. The commandment: love all unconditionally. Regardless of who we encounter the assignment never changes. Love the brothers and sisters, love your neighbors and love your enemies.

A - What if the flavor and preservative of our lives was the salt of not judging? What kind of thinking, living and speaking would shake out of my life for the good of all? How many relationships would be preserved? How much unity and welcome would be tasted by others and maybe even inspired in others?  What if the light that shone unflickering from our daily living was the light of unconditional love? What kind of goodness would be revealed and bestowed on my fellow citizens of earth? How much kindness, hope and beauty would lighten my life and the lives of those around me? Why not refuse the light-blocking "basket" of conditional love and the "worthless" taste of judgment? This is how he lived every day with everyone. Not only does Jesus think I should do this. He insists I live this way too; and has committed himself to helping me day by day.

P - Great and Good God,

I admit that you are completely amazing. Thank you for sending Jesus to clarify your person and purposes. I welcome him and the transformation in my thinking, loving, speaking and living he calls the entire world to. I accept the me changing and world changing instruction and commandment. I want to live as salt and light in Jesus and in his name,

Steve