All In -- No Plan B

S - “Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to kill his son. But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven, and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.”” Genesis 22:10-12 NRSV

O - The famous story of Abraham taking Isaac up Mount Moriah to sacrifice him is found in Genesis 22.  It's a deeply troubling instruction given to Abraham by God -- literally one of a kind, never to be repeated.  His response is immediate and unflickering. There is no threat made or consequence presented should he choose to not comply.  Yet, Isaac is the focus and hope for every promise God has given to Abraham.  Without Isaac, they all fail. The conclusion, stated above, identifies the driving factor in Abraham.  The fear of God.  This was not the fear of consequence, judgment or curse.  Psalm 147 tells us that those who fear the Lord are the ones who "put their hope in his unfailing love." Unable to explain the assignment, Abraham is convinced of the One he knows. . He goes not knowing why but Who. He and Isaac will return … and Abraham will forever be the friend of God.     

A - It is more than interesting to note that just before this encounter (Genesis 21) Abraham is instructed to send Ishmael away with his mother.  Ishmael was a human attempt to make God's promise happen. God never needs our help. He invites our cooperation.  After the birth of Isaac, Ishmael becomes a plan B at best.  The plan B is sent away (and is blessed by God) -- but God never has or needs a plan B.  Then plan A (Isaac) is put on the proverbial table as an expendable.  What was Abraham thinking?  Hebrews tells us: “… He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead ...” (Hebrews 11:17-19). I want to live all in, no plan B and full of hope in his unfailing love because I know him whom I am following. I don't just know about him, I know him. “His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of the warrior; the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.” Psalm 147:10-11 

P - Lord of all and Lord of me,

Thank you for calling me to follow you, to know you and to live in you.  I want to live, think, love and speak like you.  My hope is in you and your unfailing love. In Jesus I am all in -- no plan B.

All my love,

Steve 

Public Enemy Number One

S - "While everyone was listening to Jesus, he said to his followers: Guard against the teachers of the Law of Moses! They love to walk around in long robes, and they like to be greeted in the market. They want the front seats in the synagogues and the best seats at banquets. But they cheat widows out of their homes and then say long prayers just to show off. These teachers will be punished most of all." Luke 20

O - Why would this group be at the very top of Jesus' "Most Wanted" list? Of all the people, and groups of people, to warn against … why this one? Compared to corrupt totalitarian leaders, human traffickers, mafia god fathers and drug cartel kingpins are they really the ones Jesus' followers should be most cautious of? Should this be the group which will be "punished most of all?" Why these teachers of Scripture? Unlike the "other bad guys" these folks are not only pretending to be good, but to be good in and for God. Everyone knows the others are what they are … and Jesus is the friend of sinners.  It’s the people who hide behind Scriptural concepts and words, manipulating circumstances and others, who are in deepest trouble; the people who think and pretend that they are not sinners and are better than others; those who say one thing and live very differently. 

A - This is, at least in part, Jesus' inspiration for turning over tables in the temple rather than beds in a brothel. It's the denial, the refusal to admit and respond to one's true condition.  So, what should we do to engage Jesus' warning?  Should we go on a mission to expose all the religious frauds we can find? NO! The way we are to guard against this most insidious of all human conditions is to NOT be/or stay in that condition.  Jesus wants us to cooperate with him by guarding ourselves against and refusing to become the religiously/scripturally astute and internally corrupt. I will accept my spot on the list of sinners and will avoid being added to the list of those "punished most of all." I will keep following Jesus as his friend.  

P - Lord and Friend of sinners,

I am very grateful for your unconditional love and for this unconditional warning.  I admit that the primary person for me to influence with any Scripture on any day and in any situation is me -- to not just say scripture out loud but to live it out loud. Without you it’s all impossible.  With you everything is possible.

Living in and relying on you, Jesus,

Steve