Family Matters Forever

S - "Jesus went back home, and once again such a large crowd gathered that there was no chance even to eat. When Jesus' family heard what he was doing, they thought he was crazy and went to get him under control. … Jesus' mother and brothers came and stood outside. Then they sent someone with a message for him to come out to them. The crowd sitting around Jesus told him, “Your mother and your brothers and sisters are outside and want to see you.” Jesus asked, “Who is my mother and who are my brothers?” Then he looked at the people sitting around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. Anyone who obeys God is my brother and sister and mother.” Mark 3

O -  The response of Jesus to his mother, sisters and brothers is not inspired by an offense taken because they thought he was crazy. He's not resisting them for their desire to control him.  He is presenting all, his mother, sisters and brothers, and all who will hear him, a reality which endures forever.  Everyone is wanted to be as close to him as the closest family connections earth can produce. In fact, he says anyone can be in this relationship to him. 

A -  The religion of Jesus' day (and all religions) do not think this is possible. They are always presenting themselves as the "select few", the only ones really "in". For such "anyone" will never do. The other identifying mark of those who are actually in such a relationship with the Jesus is obedience to God.  Here again he is in sharp conflict with religion. All the way through the four accounts (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) Jesus is accused of not obeying God. He's not conforming to the demands of religion; even those claiming scriptural authority for such demands.  Religion's interpretation and Jesus' are not the same.  I choose Jesus and his obedience, his interpretation; his beautiful, available, irrepressible life, presence and person.  

P - Lord and Brother,

It is more than amazing to me the wide open nature of your desire for all people … even me.  I am very grateful to be among the group called anyone.  I want to follow, want to obey and make myself completely available to you, your thinking, living and ways.  I don't want to control you.  I really do want you to be in control of me.  My answer is yes.

Anyone Steve

Whoever and Anything

S - “"Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. … Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him. … If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” John 14:12-14, 21, 23 ESV

O - The openhanded and openhearted dynamics of these words of Jesus are amazing. Whoever, anyone, ask anything, greater works, manifest, make our home, love and being loved. The subject and verbs primarily belong to Jesus and his Father. The object is whoever and anyone. The solitary response for all anyones is to believe and love back. Contrary to religious teaching, believing in Jesus is much less about theological truths concerning his identity and much, much more about confidence in his person; confidence based on relational footings not religious ones.

A - Confidence in a person manifests itself differently than assent to accurate information about a person . Trust and love are not the result of agreeing on facts but the result of relational experience. I am tragically capable of holding to theological conclusions about Jesus while putting no confidence in his person and activity. Heaven calls me to trust (fierce personal loyalty) a person not data; and to love that person. The result will be a confidence that asks anything.

P -  Lord of all,

Thank you for giving us yourself, not just your CV. You were amazing two thousand years ago and remain amazing to and in this very day. I will respond to you in confidence and in asking big today. Am so grateful for you and your relentless love.

I love you back,

Steve

Determining the Route Your Life Will Take

S - "Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. Yet when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days. Then he said to his disciples, "Let us go back to Judea." "But Rabbi," they said, "a short while ago the Jews tried to stone you, and yet you are going back there?" Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours of daylight? A man who walks by day will not stumble, for he sees by this world's light. It is when he walks by night that he stumbles, for he has no light.""John 11:5-10 NIV

O - Exactly what "daylight" was Jesus walking by? Loving his friends didn't get him to move in response to an obvious emergency. The threat of death didn't influence his travel plans. Doesn't it sound like Jesus is already stumbling along in the "dark" unsure of his route and unclear in his thinking? Isn't he missing the obvious signs of safe and accurate navigation on planet earth? Night for Jesus, and for us all, will never have to do with anything this world offers as a rationale for decision making or for setting the course of one's life.  The Scriptures are very clear that God is light and in him there is no darkness.  God does have a will on earth and it can be known by us and yet God's ways are not like earth's.  The source of Jesus' day was not found in the way things are according to earth but the way they are according to heaven.  The true light is already shining and the darkness cannot comprehend nor overcome it.  Jesus will navigate his day, his week and his entire life by the light that is really light. At the end of this story, we find that Jesus really is walking in the light and inviting us all to walk with him. He says to one and to all 'think differently' or 'change the way you think' because the kingdom of heaven is near.

A - The source of light in our world is never from our planet but from the heavens (sun, stars and moon). This is a great analogy for me. The light of life, the light which makes navigation clear, safe and life-giving is not from this earth or world. Light is a person and he has called me to listen to him, follow him, believe him and love him back unto God's will on earth just like it happens in heaven. Should I take my own way I will end up in darkness.  If I ignore the light I have it will become a darkness in me. Jesus tells me/us that light comes through/to a single eye … an eye turned to and fixed on Jesus; his person, presence and words. I will believe him about earth so I can really hear him about heaven (cf. John 3:11-12).

P - Lord who is light,

Thank you for wanting us all to come near, to stay near, to live in you and to welcome you to live in us. Thank you that you want us to see, hear, know, experience and give away the life that is really life; vibrant, irrepressible, eternal … and you are that life. Today I welcome your will on earth (in me) like they do in heaven and look forward to loving you with all I am and my neighbor as myself.  I welcome the work of believing and the joy of your company. Lord, today while it is called today I believe.

Steve