S - "Everyone was completely surprised and kept saying to each other, “What is this? It must be some new kind of powerful teaching! Even the evil spirits obey him.” News about Jesus quickly spread all over Galilee." Mark 1 TS
O - Jesus pretty much surprised everyone all the time. The problem wasn’t in folks missing the surprise. It was, and is, in missing the point. The point is not about a unique teaching but a unique person. He is the point. In fact, Jesus is heaven’s only point. The record is clear, people don’t miss the surprise but are clearly at risk to miss the point.
A - None were surprised more often by Jesus than those closest to him. For them it never stopped. Surprised by what he’d do and by what he wouldn’t do. Who he’d keep company with and who he wouldn’t. Surprised by storms and by visitors; by his use of miraculous power and by his refusal to use it. This remains the experience of all who respond to his invitation to follow. Earth (secular and religious) wants a policy, a standard, a principle, a plan or a formula. Heaven is offering a person and he’s the only constant in it all. He’s not only the only point; he’s the only point worth not missing.
P - God who thankfully doesn’t think like me,
I am so very grateful for the simple and clear point you offer to all people — Jesus of Nazareth. Your understanding and power have no limit. Yet, there is only one point you need to make and want to make. I admit that the surprise of the strikingly beautiful and the stridently difficult have found me many times and Jesus remains the intimate, constant and confident resolution; and the revelation of it all. Thank you for loving us relentlessly in this wonderful person and way.
Love you back,
Steve
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