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 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 one of the reasons 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 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 refuse to change your mind.  I love you back! Yes, to you and to your new!

Steve  

Heaven's Work Ethic

S - "“"Will any one of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, 'Come at once and recline at table'? Will he not rather say to him, 'Prepare supper for me, and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink'? Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.'"” Luke 17:7-10 ESV

O - In this story told by Jesus a very important distinction emerges.  It's a distinction he lived every day and insists his followers do the same.  The distinction? The difference between attempting to do everything one can possibly do and doing everything one is asked or commanded to do. According to the teaching and living of Jesus, the duty of servants is to do what they are commanded to do.  It's not the idea of doing as little as possible but rather acknowledging who is actually in charge. Jesus never worked one day for his Father, only with him (e.g. John 5:19). At the end of his earthly life Jesus did NOT pray 'Father I've done everything I could possibly do.' In fact, a cursory look through the four accounts confirms this reality.  What he did pray was 'I've done everything you gave me to do.'    

A - The world (secular and religious) promotes and labors under the cruel task master of a stewardship which requires one to always do everything they can possibly do. Jesus never lived one day like that and has never asked us to either. He's inviting us to follow and work with him NOT for him. The invitation to work with him is about being together not just getting something done. He outlines the assignments and shows us our part with him. All these years later I've concluded that there is not one thing he asks me to do with him that he can't do better without me :). My duty is to do everything he asks of me … a doing which is greater than getting something done (though things do get done).  It's a duty which allows me/us to be with him, in him, as he desires us to be. The Kingdom of God is relationships not accomplishments (e.g. Matthew 7:21-23). 

P - Lord who doesn't need any help from me,

Thank you for wanting us to be with you in the work you've been doing every day since you made the world. I gratefully acknowledge the duty which is mine and am thrilled to be with you day by day.  I am hoping that I will be able to say at the end of each day "I am an unworthy servant; I have only done what you gave me to do."  Thank you for rescuing me from the cruel task master of the world. 

Happy to be working with you,

Steve   

Good People are NOT Invited

S - “Once again, Jesus went to the shore of Lake Galilee. A large crowd gathered around him, and he taught them.  As he walked along, he saw Levi, the son of Alphaeus. Levi was sitting at the place for paying taxes, and Jesus said to him, "Follow me!" So he got up and went with Jesus.  Later, Jesus and his followers were having dinner at the Levi's house. Many tax collectors and other sinners had become followers of Jesus, and they were also guests at the dinner.  Some of the teachers of the Law of Moses, Religious Experts, saw Jesus eating with sinners and tax collectors. So they asked his followers, "Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?" Jesus heard them and answered, “Healthy people don't need a doctor, but sick people do. I didn't come to invite good people to be my followers. I came to invite sinners.”” Mark 2 TS

O - How should the twelve feel about Jesus' answer to the question about his dinner companions?  They had been invited to follow Jesus too.  If he is only inviting sinners to follow what does that say about the men who left everything to do just that?  Apparently, he lumps them in with the tax collectors and other notorious sinners of the day. According to Jesus no one is good enough but everyone is bad enough to be invited. "You must obey God's commands better than the Religious Experts and the teachers of the Law obey them. If you don't, I promise you will never get into the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5 TS   

A -  Jesus is forever the friend of sinners.  It makes the religiously righteous mad and all of heaven happy. He himself is the only righteousness heaven accepts and those who seek to establish their own never really do.  Unlike religion, Jesus never demands perfection, he brings it to everyone who will simply put their confidence in him. "Follow me and I will make you …" is his invitation and the dynamic which is working to this very day. I accept Jesus' assessment and invitation … this sinner is saying yes day by day.  I'll follow and let him do the making!

P -  Friend of sinners and friend of me,

Thank you for always wanting us, not only at our best but particularly at our worst. Am so very grateful to be loved by you only because you love us.  You don't even love us so that we will love you back; but you want us to love you back.  You love us unconditionally.  You love us because you love us! Your invitation to follow YOU (not a plan, promise or principle) is so amazing.  I will follow and welcome all the making that is in your heart to do. 

I do love you back,
Steve