Jesus and the Scriptures

S - "Then Jesus asked them, “Why can't you understand? How can you be so slow to believe all that the prophets said? Didn't you know that the Christ would have to suffer before he was given his glory?” Jesus then explained everything written about himself in the Scriptures, beginning with the Law of Moses and all the Prophets. … They said to each other, “When he talked with us along the road and explained the Scriptures to us, didn't our hearts burn?” … Jesus said to them, “While I was still with you, I told you that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and in the Psalms had to happen.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. He told them: The Scriptures say that the Christ must suffer, then three days later he will rise from death. They also say that all people of every nation must be told in my name to change their thinking in order to receive freedom from sins." Luke 24 TS

O -  These sentences record two exchanges Jesus has with two different sets of some of his closest friends. In them we are given some very specific insight into his thoughts and practice on the Scriptures themselves. First we find another affirmation of the purpose of the Scriptures. Their primary purpose is NOT to reveal a plan, principle or concept. According to Jesus, their primary purpose is to testify to him (cf. John 5:39-40); that all would come to him for vibrant, refreshing eternal life. Secondly, we find that we can read, know, quote and affirm Scripture and still not actually believe and understand it. Third, all will need the Spirit's help to be able to actually understand the Scriptures. Literally to have our minds opened to believe and understand. Finally, we see here the unflinching and intentional limitation of the Scriptures. They do not and cannot reveal God or Jesus, they testify to them but cannot reveal (Matthew 11:27, 16:16-17).

A -  Jesus came to clarify the person and purpose of God. His use and understanding of the Scriptures themselves is very different from what I was taught by some wonderful people with very good intensions. They focused on the plan, promises and principles which actually inspired me to do the one thing the Scriptures instruct me to not do. To lean on my own understanding rather than the person of the Lord (cf. Proverbs 3:5-6).  They taught me I could discover him in the pages of Scriptures when Jesus clearly says he must be revealed by Spirit. The Scriptures are a tremendous gift God has given to the whole world. I am committed to engaging them as intended - to inspire me to come to Jesus for life. I admit and welcome their testimony. I also admit the impossibility of accurate discovery/revelation of God's person.  This requires a direct intersection by Spirit. Jesus said it is impossible for humans but possible with God (Luke 18:26-27).

P -  Jesus,

You are the exact representation of your Father. Thank you for coming to clarify his person and purpose. Thank you for the gift of the Scriptures. I accept my complete dependence on you and your spirit to believe and understand. I do not want to lean on my own understanding but on you … the very thing you're eager for us to do. You lead and I'll follow.

I love you back,

Steve

Belonging to God's Kingdom

S - "Some people brought their little children for Jesus to bless. But when his followers saw them doing this, they told the people to stop bothering him. So Jesus called the children over to him and said, “Let the children come to me! Don't try to stop them. People who are like these children belong to God's kingdom. You will never get into God's kingdom unless you enter it like a child!” Luke 18:15-17 TS

O - The real Jesus is the most childlike human being who's ever lived and he insists his followers live the same way. Childlikeness is not merely an entrance requirement, it's required to remain, to " belong to God's Kingdom."  All follow, enter and belong/remain the same way; intentional childlikeness. Religion is willing to mention childlikeness as the way "into obtaining eternal life" but then spends its energies, teachings and influence trying to convince its adherents to grow up; to accept the world's ideas of responsible adult behaviors, attitudes and conclusions with respect to everything else. To belong to the "kingdom" religion promotes as God's ultimately requires an abandonment of childlikeness. It's dismissed as childish, foolish, unwise and wasteful. Religion wants us always wise as serpents but never really harmless as doves, to use another phrase of Jesus. As the religious leaders of Jesus' day prove, if you're wise as a serpent but not harmless like a dove you just end up being snakes.

A -  Children rely on another for protection, direction and provision … realities the world teaches are to come from your adult self. Jesus says they will come from his Father for all who will choose to be little and believe him about earth and not just about heaven (Matthew 6:25-33; John 3:11-12). I will choose to lose, to be little, to believe Jesus about heaven and earth. I will accept the coaching given in the Scriptures: “Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, "He catches the wise in their craftiness," and again, "The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile."” 1 Corinthians 3:18-20 ESV

P - Lord Jesus,

I accept the simple clarity of your life and words. I admit simple is not always easy. I will choose intentional childlikeness unto the belonging where heaven touches earth, everything is possible and your amazing life is coming into and out of me.

Welcoming you and your blessings for the childlike,

Steve

Different Thinking about Failure

S - "“Simon, listen to me! Satan has demanded the right to test each one of you, as a farmer does when he separates wheat from the husks. But Simon, I have prayed that your faith will not fail. And when you have turned back, help the others.” Peter said, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to jail and even to die with you.” Jesus replied, “Peter, I tell you that before a rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will say three times that you don't know me.” Luke 22 TS

O - It's more than interesting to note that with so much at stake, not only for Jesus but for Peter, Jesus' prayer seems to be off (“So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.”Matthew 10:32-33 ESV). Shouldn't he be praying for Peter not to make the denial? Jesus' very different thinking and praying is demonstrated again in his conversation with Peter post denial (John 21). Apparently in the mind of Jesus a serious failure and failed faith are not the same thing.

A - Peter's life and Jesus' ongoing interaction with him provide so much encouragement for all. Peter will never be benched or told he's not qualified to help and strengthen others. He won't be asked if he realizes what he's done; to promise he won't do it again; nor to step down from "ministry" for rehabilitation. He will be asked, three times, if he loves Jesus more than these. Religion focuses on theological accuracy and public performance. Heaven is focused on relational integrity in personal response to Jesus. Peter's faith is helping me in living, following and encouraging others.

P - Lord Jesus,

You are amazing in every way and in every day. Thank you for loving us first, most and for refusing to change your mind; even when I give you reasons. I do love you back, more than these.

Amazed all these years later,

Steve