Happy New Year! - No One and Everything

S - "Jesus then told them these sayings: No one uses a new piece of cloth to patch old clothes. The patch would shrink and make the hole even bigger. No one pours new wine into old wineskins. The new wine would swell and burst the old skins. Then the wine would be lost, and the skins would be ruined. New wine must be put only into new wineskins. No one wants new wine after drinking old wine. They say, “The old wine is better.” Luke 5

O - These sayings are told in response to a challenge given to Jesus about the religious practices of his followers.  In his reply three "no one" statements are made.  Of course, no one would patch an old coat that way.  Of course, no one puts new wine into old wineskins.  And no one who drinks the old wine wants the new.  Yet, the "old wine" drinkers of culture (religious and nonreligious) often attempt to do just that.  Jesus is not heaven's "patch" for the old coat nor is he old wine for old wineskins and those who drink it.  He is the new coat, the new wine and he is perpetually incompatible with the old.   

A - The passing of time is the factor in a new year, new coat and in new wine becoming old.  Comfort, familiarity and taste are the lawful results of the old.  And this really is the "no one" problem for all who follow Jesus.  Over time I learn to live a cadence that becomes comfortable, familiar and tasty to me. Yet, from time to time I'm offered a new coat and new wine by Jesus. The question is what will I do with them when offered.  This is among the reasons why Jesus requires his followers to give up everything … even the old coat he gave me and the old wine he's been sharing with me along the way.  “In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my followers.” I will welcome the New Year, new coat and the new wine and give up the old … unto the life that is really life!  

P - Friend of sinners and therefore friend of me,

I accept the terms of following … everything!  I accept the without exception reality you describe … no one! Am so very grateful for your provision of "coats", "wineskins" and "wine" day by day in my decades of following. I will accept the new any and every time you offer.  I do admit that I often like the old taste and old feel better than the new.  Nevertheless, you lead and I follow.  I am glad to be with you regardless of attire or taste.  You are vibrant, irrepressible life. You have loved us first, most and refused to change your mind.  I love you back! Yes, to you and to your new!

Steve  

And in Conclusion…

S - "Peter then said: Now I am certain that God treats all people alike. God is pleased with everyone who responds to him and does right, no matter what nation they come from. This is the same message that God gave to the people of Israel, when he sent Jesus Christ, the Lord of all, to offer peace to them. … Jesus was put to death on a cross. But three days later, God raised him to life and let him be seen. Not everyone saw him. He was seen only by us, who ate and drank with him after he was raised from death. We were the ones God chose to be witnesses. God told us to announce clearly to the people that Jesus is the one he has chosen to judge the living and the dead. Every one of the prophets has said that all who have faith in Jesus will have their sins forgiven in his name." Acts 10 TS

O - It took a very direct intervention from heaven for Peter to come to the conclusion that all of earth's religions, ethnic cultures and social cliques DO NOT want people to accept. The conclusion? Certainty that God treats ALL people the same - no favorites.   He treats them all alike … no matter where they come from.  This is how Jesus lived and taught; how and why he died and was raised from the dead.  He is heaven's good news for all people everywhere.  Not just for Christian people or politically correct people or any of the other categories created by  people to judge, reject and/or even hate others. Jesus is the living proof of this beautiful and unflinching reality: "God treats all people alike."

A - In my life experience, the religion, politics, cultural segments and ethnic alliances around me were willing to accept the idea of “equal treatment by God for all people” as long as the people joined their group and accepted their ideologies. This not the conclusion heaven sent by Jesus nor the one Peter received and embraced. Membership in a subgroup is not required for acceptance or equal treatment. A person may be a part of a group or join one if they wish but at some point, will have to choose between approval from the group or approval from heaven. Perhaps this sheds some context on the words of Jesus in Luke 14: “You cannot be my follower, unless you hate your father and mother, your wife and children, and your brothers and sisters. You cannot follow me unless you hate your own life.” I am gratefully choosing Jesus and his conclusions.

P - Lord of all and Lord of me,

Thank you for coming to earth to clarify the person and purposes of God. I admit and accept your conclusion to accept me, and all others, regardless of where we come from. You were amazing in the first century and are just as amazing today. Thank you for loving us and for refusing to change your mind.

I love you back and will follow,

Steve

Where Heaven and Earth Collide

S - "Jesus was in the town of Bethany, eating at the home of Simon, who had leprosy. A woman came in with a bottle of expensive perfume and poured it on Jesus' head. But when his followers saw this, they became angry and complained, “Why such a waste? We could have sold this perfume for a lot of money and given it to the poor.” Jesus knew what they were thinking, and he said, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. You will always have the poor with you, but you won't always have me. She has poured perfume on my body to prepare it for burial. You may be sure that wherever the good news is told all over the world, people will remember what she has done. And they will tell others.” Matthew 26 TS

O - The stewardship of earth and the stewardship of God's Kingdom collide in this story.  Well intended people, even people who follow and love Jesus, find themselves subject to a mistaken priority.  Earth thinks efficiency is the critical element in the use of recourses and heaven doesn't.  The Kingdom of God is not primarily efficient because it's a Kingdom of love; and love is not primarily efficient. "God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has confidence in him will have eternal life."       

A - Logical thinking isn't necessarily right thinking according to Jesus. There is no situation more vulnerable to this dynamic than stewardship. Earth's logic begins and ends with the bottom line. Heaven's logic always begins and ends with people. Earth thinks the proof of good financial stewardship is more finances. God's Kingdom thinks the proof of good financial stewardship is more friends (Luke 16:9-13). Earth thinks you need to steward your money in a godly way.  Heaven thinks all the money is already the Lord's and he wants us to use it his way. When it comes to money and stewardship, I'll live and give the way Jesus instructs.  His caution is essential in every circumstance: "No one 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." (Matthew 6:24). No one means everyone …  I accept the right thinking and stewardship of Jesus!

P - Jesus,

Thank you for calling us and helping us to change our thinking about everything because you and your kingdom are near.  I want to live and to give as you intend … unto friendships galore and relationship sublime.  You are amazing every day and in every way.

All to you,

Steve