Huge Problem - Huge Relief

S - "One of the criminals hanging there also insulted Jesus by saying, “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and save us!” But the other criminal told the first one off, “Don’t you fear God? Aren’t you getting the same punishment as this man? We got what was coming to us, but he didn’t do anything wrong.” Then he said to Jesus, “Remember me when you come into your kingdom!” Jesus replied, “I promise that today you will be with me in paradise.”" Luke 23 TS

O - The exchange between Jesus and the thief who asked to be remembered is actually a huge theological problem. He doesn’t say any, not one, of the words religion requires for what it considers to be a bonafide “you get to go to heaven” exchange. He doesn't call Jesus Lord or ask for forgiveness.  There's no confession of truths, acceptance of standards or declaration of personal intentions.  It's a completely relational and dependent request; a response to the person of Jesus and exclusively dependent on Jesus. This underscores the reality religion claims to represent (i.e. God and His Kingdom) and completely misses.  God's Kingdom is not primarily theological; it is primarily relational. Its emphasis is not on right words but a right heart; not on right forms but on relational authenticity. This dynamic of complete reliance on Jesus is, in fact, the only hope any of us have to make heaven our home.  

A - Faith, belief, salvation, prayer, eternal life, heaven, etc. is about reliance on and confidence in a person, not a principle, promise or concept. Jesus' definition of eternal life is the capstone of the relational nature of God and God's Kingdom. "This is eternal life: that they may know you the only true God and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." It's not knowing about someone but knowing them.  This is the beautiful mystery and reality God clarified in sending Jesus to the world. Jesus says to all: "Don’t let your hearts be troubled! Have confidence in God and have confidence in me … I am the way, the truth, and the life! … Without me, no one can go to the Father." Am grateful to know Jesus and not just about him. I admit my complete reliance and dependence on Him.

P - Dear God and Father of us all,

Thank you for loving and wanting the world and for sending Jesus to us all.  I am so grateful to know him and to be in a growing relationship with him.  He is the only hope I have and the only one I want.  Thank you for being all in for us and I want to be all in in return.

Loving you back in Jesus,

Steve