Forget Arguing the Point - Live it!

S - “‘Why then,’ they asked, ‘did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?’ Jesus replied, ‘Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.’ The disciples said to him, ‘If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry.’ Jesus replied, ‘Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given. For there are eunuchs who were born that way, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others – and there are those who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.’” Matthew 19:7-12 NIVUK

O - The question is asked by those who were devoted to the Hebrew Scriptures. They studied, memorized and taught them. Jesus' answer concludes rather curiously on a couple of counts as he's being tested by the Pharisees. First, his answer cut against their understanding and practice. Since, from their perspective, Moses obviously permitted, validated and affirmed the practice of divorce, the answer to their question should have been a simple yes. Such a reply would not only give the 'right answer' but affirm the 'right view' of scripture. After upholding scripture Jesus refutes their conclusion … so much so that his own disciples are shocked. Then secondly, instead of demanding universal acceptance and compliance of his authoritative reply Jesus tells his followers "The one who can accept this should accept it." Isn't that a weak and dangerously permissive approach? No. Jesus is never satisfied with someone who can give a correct answer. He is calling all to follow him and to refuse a focus on someone else's shortcomings and failures. He wants his followers less concerned about authoritative pronouncements and more concerned about authentic living.

A - Religion (culture) wants the focus on authoritative pronouncements while Jesus wants to enable all people to authentic and abundant living. Religion will argue the point where Jesus will embody it. Religion will accuse others of compromising the truth of scripture while Jesus will invite all people (the strictly religious included) to accept the purpose and point of the scriptures. The purpose of the scripture is not about pronouncements or plans but about being a witness to a person who is life itself (John 5:39-40).  The point of scripture is me getting the beam out of my own eye rather than yelling about the sawdust in another's (Matthew 7:1-5). In the words of Jesus, I can and will accept this!

P - Great King and True Friend of all,

Thank you for calling me and the entire world to yourself and not to a cause. Thank you for loving us first and most and for refusing to change your mind. I accept the purpose and the point of the scriptures. I admit my huge need of help in this and every regard; to love you back with my all, to love my neighbor as myself and to get and keep the beam out of my own eye. I accept you who are life and the 2x4ology you require.

All in according to love,

Steve

Don't Change the Words of Jesus, Believe Them

S - “As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. ‘Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will send you [my highlight] out to fish for people.’ At once they left their nets and followed him.” Matthew 4:18-20 NIVUK

O - This well-known exchange between Jesus and the brothers is misrepresented by the translators and publishers of this most recent edition of the NIV and NIVUK. The change appears to be a small one. One most likely justified under the guise of dynamic equivalency. The problem is it is not even close to what Jesus said and it obscures his way of engaging people. The verb (ποιέω) occurs in the New Testament 576 times according to Strong's Concordance, has no definition associated with sending and is never translated as send until now. In fact, no other translation renders this verb in this passage any other way than make (i.e. I will make you …). This story is also told in Mark 1 and there the NIVUK and NIV accurately translate the same verb as make. So why the change and more importantly why does it matter? Jesus did not say follow me and I will send you …, though he will later send them out. He said follow me and I will make you … and the critical point is what action is being accomplished in those following and who engages the action prescribed. Jesus wants the brothers to follow and he will do the making, transforming them into those who fish for people. Publishers should never change the words of Jesus and followers should believe them.

A - According to Jesus, he wants me/us to focus on following his person and he will focus on making his followers everything he intends for them/us to be. He does the creating and transforming; we don't make ourselves anything. He doesn't want our help he wants our cooperation. He leads and we follow. He does the making and we experience the joy of his person and the ongoing miracle of personal transformation.  I accept the assignment to follow and cooperate. He'll do the leading and the making -- beautiful!

P - Lord who leads and makes,

Thank you for calling all citizens of planet earth to the exact same point of engagement - following you. I'm relieved that I'm not required to make myself anything and to cooperate with everything you already have in mind to do in me and then to do together with you. I accept. I will live and pray in Jesus' name.

Steve

Worthy of Death

S - "So, because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jewish leaders began to persecute him. In his defense Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.” For this reason they tried all the more to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God. Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed." (John 5:16-20 NIV)

O - Culture (secular and religious) not only takes on a life of its own it actually takes life. This life taking is a dynamic affecting more than those it executes. It takes life from all who subscribe to its demands. Culture must take life to exist. It takes life from all who embrace and follow it.  Jesus is worthy of its wrath because of when and how he chooses to help those culture has already categorized, written off and discarded. He is not in line and under the control of culture's worldview on healing, helping, God, religion and the like. In stark and direct contrast to culture is the Kingdom of God which is not only near but life giving to all who engage. Everything in the kingdom lives and is life giving; living bread, living water, living words, living stones, living sacrifices, living faith, hope etc. the person, life, words and activity of Jesus exposes culture for what it is and therefore he comes under its wrath. It will pursue him to death … only to be repelled and repudiated by him who is the resurrection and forever life. All are invited to join him in this life and work which continues to this very day. It is the life that is really life!

A -   Culture thinks God is waiting for us to give life to his desires and plans. Jesus says he's already working everything for good and is inviting us to join him in the work that is life giving to all. I choose to say yes to him, his invitation, the work he's already doing and to all he has in mind to do. Culture wants to control me with fear and the kingdom wants to inspire me with love. Culture needs my life's energies to exist and the kingdom that can never end is offering to infuse me with vibrant, irrepressible life.

P - Lord God who is life,

It is amazing that want us to join you in your work and life … irrepressible life. I give myself, little and weak, to you and all you already have in mind to do … unto the life that is really life.

Amazed in Jesus,

Steve

Zero Degrees of Separation

S - “but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher. For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.” 2 Timothy 1:10-12 NASB

O - Here we find the term "gospel" referenced as heaven intends.  The gospel is primarily a person not information. Jesus abolished death and brought life and immortality to light … not the information, the person.  Paul's confidence was not in the accurate information about Jesus but in his very person: I know whom not what; I am convinced that He not it; I have entrusted to Him not to it.  There is NO degree of separation … believing facts or truths is insufficient.  They only have consequence in direct and ongoing connection to the person.  All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Jesus (the person); not to facts and truths.  He is the Gospel and he is welcoming all people to life and immortality. 

A - Earth, culture, religion, academics all want to separate the thoughts, ideas, facts and teachings of Jesus from his person; to objectify them.  Heaven, the Kingdom, the only lasting reality intends no such division.  I am not saved by the cross, the blood, the empty tomb.  I am saved by Jesus; it's his cross, his blood and his empty tomb.  According to Jesus, real, eternal life is only found in knowing a person (John 17:3) … and he is even more amazing than the facts.

P - Lord who is near,

Thank you for the confidence found only in your person … and for insisting that we not settle for acceptance of information but engage ongoing relationship with you.  I admit that you are life and give life generously to all who will receive.  You really are amazing.

Grateful for zero degrees of separation,
Steve

Our World's Great Pandemic

S - "Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false testimony against Jesus in order that they could put him to death. (Matthew 26:59 LEB) … Then they brought Jesus from Caiaphas to the governor’s residence. Now it was early, and they did not enter into the governor’s residence so that they would not be defiled, but could eat the Passover."‭‭John 18:28 ‭‭LEB‬‬

O -  This glaring and tragic inconsistency was of no notice or concern to the practitioners and leaders of the religion of Jesus' day. Were they not, even according to their own religion, already defiled by falsely accusing Jesus (the ninth commandment "And you shall not falsely bear evidence against your neighbor." ‭‭Deuteronomy 5:20 LEB)?  Why would they be so careful about observing a (sad) tradition with no support from the Scriptures and blatantly violate one of the Scriptures' primary commands?  This is the blindness caused by all religions; the yeast (hypocrisy) of the Pharisees Jesus consistently warns against and the practice which inspires a complete disregard for the truly important matters ("Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees—hypocrites!—because you pay a tenth of mint and dill and cumin, and neglect the more important matters of the law—justice and mercy and faithfulness! It was necessary to do these things while not neglecting those. Blind guides who filter out a gnat and swallow a camel!" ‭‭Matthew 23:23-24). 

A - Religion is culture; all religion (Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, etc.). This dynamic swirling around Jesus and all the inhabitants of his day is the same one which swirls around me/us. It is the product of culture over time … all culture - religious and secular. Politics, education, science, economics, athletics, social cubs and service clubs, etc. all move to this myopic sickness. For us earthlings there is no once and for all cure, only one specific, intentional, ongoing regimen which will deliver relief. Daily, full strength, complete commitment and response to the person and spirit of Jesus. Relief for me and for all only comes from this one source for all of cultures' expressions.  He says: "Truly, truly I say to you, we speak what we know, and we testify about what we have seen, and you do not accept our testimony! If I tell you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?" ‭‭John 3:11-12 LEB

P - Our Father,

I admit my susceptibility to this great sadness and praise you for engaging the entire human race with it's relief. Thank you for offering it to us all in the person of Jesus and for his willingness to engage an ongoing relational regimen with us. I accept! I am grateful to live and pray in him and in his name.

Steve

Please Don't Pass the Salt!

S - "Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.) Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus. … “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other.”" (Mark 9:5-8, 50 NIV)

O - Jesus stands alone … i.e. he is the first, the priority, the way, the truth and the life. Peter was trying to harmonize the three (Moses, Elijah and Jesus).  The voice from heaven halts this process in its tracks.  "This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!" Moses and Elijah take their rightful place, in the background.  They are not and never were the point.  Jesus always was and always will be the point.  He gives them their significance and rightful place in the Kingdom -- not the other way around.  He (Jesus) draws attention to the most important person we are to influence; the most important person to reach with all that is true. Have salt among or within your selves.  It is always the beam out of my own eye first … Jesus leads the way in 2X4ology. Heaven coaches us all: "Listen to him!"

A - Jesus is the message -- he is the point and the message heaven sends to earth, to all people.  He wants me to get and keep the beam out of my own eye; to accept that no matter where I am or whom I am with the most important person for me to reach or influence is ALWAYS me.  He's not asking me to concentrate on being salt "for" or "in" another but for and in myself.  If I fail to accept this as my focus and priority I will fall prey to the one tragic dynamic he consistently warns against -- the yeast of the Pharisees which is hypocrisy.  If I'm cooperating with him reaching me then I can be assured he will also be reaching through me to the benefit of others. The sign of such salt is being with at peace with each other.  Amazing … I will listen to and follow him.

P - Lord,

Thank you taking away from us the burden to build three booths … to work at trying to accommodate and harmonize everything.  I accept that you call all people to come to you and find rest from all the realities of earth (secular and religious) which exhaust us.  You are amazing and I am so grateful to be loved and wanted by you.  I admit my need of help (not self-help) … unto salt in myself and being at peace with all.

Living and praying in Jesus' Name,

Steve

Which Gospel?

S - “Paul, an apostle (not sent from men nor through the agency of man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead), … I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! … For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. … But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother's womb and called me through His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away to Arabia, and returned once more to Damascus.” Galatians 1:1, 6-8, 11-12, 15-17 NASB

O - Though Paul will speak of the cross several times in this letter he does so only in the context of the resurrection. His preaching, apostleship and gospel is based singularly on the person of Jesus and his resurrection from the dead (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:1-8). This is heaven's message - Jesus and him raised from the dead (“that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;” Romans 10:9 NASB). The context of Kingdom living (the reality which engages all the rest) is the resurrection of Jesus not the crucifixion.

A - Heaven sends one way and earth another. Religion is focused on information and crucifixion. The Kingdom is focused on a person and resurrection. Heaven has one gospel and earth has another. Heaven proclaims the resurrection and then unpacks the cross. Earth proclaims the crucifixion and occasionally mentions resurrection. I am called by Jesus to Jesus and his irrepressible (cannot be controlled or contained), eternal life. The question asked later in this letter remains paramount: “Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?” Galatians 3:3 NASB

P - Lord Jesus,

You are the gospel, the way, the truth and forever life. You call us all to yourself and to adoption and God's sons and daughters. I admit and accept you are the good news … the gospel sent from heaven.  I am very glad to know you as a person and not a concept.  I love you back!
Steve