The Lazarus Effect

S - “When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there, they came, not only on account of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.” John 12:9-11 ESV

O - While the real Jesus is clearly able to draw a crowd all on his own, another dynamic is noted here. Lazarus is also a draw for the people. What was it about him that caused such a sensation? What quality of character; what talent or skill set; what amazing feat; what herculean effort would create such an effect? Let's see … he got sick which in itself is such an incredible accomplishment and then … he died. This is his contribution to the clamor his presence inspired. What made him a draw actually wasn't him at all but Jesus. It wasn't his greatness or capacities but those of Jesus which caused and sustained the curiosity and response of the crowd.

A - What if I gave myself to a way of living that would mirror the effect Lazarus had in his day? What if I was so yielded to Jesus and all he already has in mind to do in me and through me that my life became a "sight to behold?" Isn't this really heaven's strategy for every one of earth's 7.4 billion inhabitants?  Didn't he say to the very first followers and to every follower ever since, "Follow me and I will make you …"?  I choose to follow. To give up everything. To lose my life so he will find it, take it, keep it and make of it everything he's dreamt, died and lives for it to be. Simply and completely I say yes to the real Jesus!

P -  Dear, real Jesus,

I admit that you don't love me for anything I have, can do or want to do. Thank you for loving us because you love us. I want to live out loud the following which cooperates with you and everything you already have in mind. I would like to be a reason someone else is drawn to and has confidence in you.

Yes,

Steve

Life Coaching from the Expert

S - “"Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. … If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. … Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. … In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.” John 14:12-14; 15:7; 16:23-24, 26-27 ESV

O - These words are taken from the last lengthy conversation Jesus will have with the eleven before his arrest. He's coaching them (and all of us) regarding life in his physical absence and the way we should both think about and make requests. It's more than striking that he will emphasize the limits, method and action plan of asking.  As for limits on requests, there are none. Ask anything. The method is to ask in his name; i.e. believing and engaging his person not just an outcome. The plan of action following our asking is the most amazing of them all. Requests made in this way are not to be taken as a to do list for the ones asking. Time and time again the expert says "it will be done for you." 

A -  Jesus is identifying best practices and I'm learning that I have not been using them. Too often my requests are restricted by perceived inevitabilities rather than inspired by limitless possibilities. Instead of relying on a person I'm fixated on an outcome. Post request, I'm prone to try to make it happen rather than cooperating with him as he makes it so.  Jesus not only spoke this way he lived this way … he's coaching me to do the same. I'll embrace his best practices.

P - Sovereign Lord and Truth,

Thank you for being the ultimate player/coach on earth and in heaven. I admit I've inconsistently engaged the best practices you live and instruct us to live. I'm requesting a complete transformation of my thinking, asking, speaking and living unto all which is already in your heart to do. I'll stop helping and stand ready to cooperate as you take all my asking and make it so according to your beautiful and brilliant person.  I'll fix my attention on you and not an outcome.

Asking and living in Jesus' name,

Steve

Bad News -- Good Hope

S - “And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains.” Mark 13:7-8 ESV

O -  Jesus is convinced bad news is coming. He didn't say if it comes but when it comes. Our world's headlines confirm it day after day.  How should we think about a world racked by war, natural disasters and tragedy? His response is neither cavalier or fatalistic. He wants us to think of them and respond to them like a woman in labor. The pains are terrible and the dynamics are life threatening. Yet, hope is strong during the ordeal and joy forthcoming when the baby arrives. The pains are unavoidable but there are some things which can be done to minimize them. He affirms that while we don't know when the pains will end we do know him … and he is the expert on all matters relating to heaven and earth. He is not suggesting that we live in denial but rather that we live and work in great hope; even amidst severe circumstances.  Jesus wants us to know that these convulsions on earth are actually going some place very good, very sweet and full of life.

A -  Wars, earthquakes, famines, etc. will happen and yet we need to work to bring peace, alleviate suffering and help our fellow citizens on planet earth. However, all of our best efforts will be temporary until he returns because permanent peace and the cessation of tragedy waits until then … just as the baby waits amidst the contractions. According to Jesus, there's something for me to do each day as the contractions/convulsions come and go … Love God with all my heart, mind, soul and strength and love my neighbors and my enemies as my equal, as I love myself. According to Jesus, everything depends (hangs) on this (Matthew 22:40).

P - Lord of Heaven and Earth,

Am so very grateful you're not asking us to pretend about anything or to "like" the pains our world convulses with.  For whatever I can do to alleviate such, count me in.  Day by day I promise to love you back and to love all others.  I accept your coaching on world events, my status in them and my response to them … I won't be alarmed and I will be encouraged … joy is on the way!!

I love you back,

Steve

Working Through the Storms

S - “On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, "Let us go across to the other side." And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, "Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?" And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"” Mark 4:35-41 ESV

O - The real Jesus (not the religious one) always wants to cross the lake but never check the weather. He will sail the twelve into many storms during their years of following. Why will he do this? Is he just trying to prove his miracle working capacities? Not so much. These capacities will consistently reoccur in an ever increasing range of circumstances because he is working with his father. His two questions identify the real issue as the Teacher is teaching. They were afraid because all of their expert skills and capacities were unable to resolve the life threatening dynamics they were caught in. Their question to Jesus confirms this. His second question is the clincher. He's not teaching them to have faith in miracles. He's teaching them to rely on his person; not their skill sets, capacities, resources or knowledge. The real issue of faith is not in what they face but in believing in one they're with. Jesus intentionally relied on (believed in) his father every day and in every circumstance; literally from daily bread to demons (cf. John 5:19). This is how he insists his followers live as well. The work, according to Jesus, is not believing in principles, promises or plans but in a person. And when anyone is with him and doing this work, everything remains possible. (Cf. “Then they said to him, "What must we do, to be doing the works of God?" Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent."” John 6:28-29 ESV)

A -  I was taught to believe principles, promises and plans. Believing in Jesus was about getting into heaven. The real work until then was the other "believing". Heaven doesn't want me to have faith in principles or promises or plans … even though it has such. Heaven wants me to believe, have confidence in and rely on a person. This person is the good news, life, light, truth and the way. This is the real and only work heaven wants me to do in each day and in every circumstance. The work of intentionally relying on him. All other activities are to come only as a result of this intentional reliance. The world (secular and religious) doesn't believe (there's that word) this will work. Actually, it's their rendition of "believing" that doesn't work; with centuries proving this tragic point. Jesus' legacy on earth with his followers proves it does. Heaven's call and invitation to the whole world hasn't changed, "Follow me." Since the winds and sea obey him it seems more than reasonable that I do too. Each day I'll accept the work of believing the person of Jesus and follow. It's amazing what happens as I do. But of course the real Jesus is absolutely amazing.

P - Jesus,

Thank you for loving us all first and most and for refusing to change your mind … even when I give you reasons. Thank you for coming to earth to clarify the person and purposes of God. I accept your work assignment and want to learn and live the ways of intentional reliance. You lead and I'll follow.

I love you back,

Steve