The Gift of Ambiguity

S - "When they were with Jesus, they asked him, “Lord, are you now going to restore Israel as a kingdom?” Jesus said to them, ”You don’t need to know the time of those events that only the Father controls. But the Holy Spirit will come upon you and give you power.”"  Acts 1 TS

O - The desire for information, to know what's next and what the plan is, hasn't lessened any from this first century exchange until now. The focus Jesus identifies here remains the same for all. His followers, those who are actually living in him and working with him, will not be relying on the power of information but the power of presence.    

A - Wait a minute!  Don't we need to know the plan?  What kind of handicapped living will that produce in those who are wanting to follow Jesus and welcome God's kingdom on earth as it is in heaven?  Why this avoidable ambiguity?  We are not invited to rely on plans, promises or concepts. We are wanted and welcomed to rely on a person.  The ambiguity is a gift.  It keeps us in the best possible place: focused and near him who is irrepressible life.  When we're in his company, relying on him, everything is possible and everything is being worked for good.  Being near is more important than being right. He wants me/us holding on to him not a plan, engaging his person not a principle, fulfilled and confident in his presence not a promise.  I have discovered that I cannot escape this intentional mystery nor can I replace it with more "tangible" methods without ignoring/missing him. Children live this way and he has insisted that his followers do the same.  I am gratefully accepting this gift experiencing a deepening relationship and learning that his peace really does surpass all understanding.     

P - Lord who invites us near,

Am so very grateful that you want us near in ongoing relationship more than anything.  You keep offering yourself and I am so glad to have the privilege of offering myself back to you … not to your principles, promises or plans.  I welcome the power of presence.

Loving you back,

Steve 

The Basis of Resurrection Belief

S - "Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. She ran to Simon Peter and to Jesus’ dearest follower and said, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb! We don’t know where they have put him.” … The follower who got there first then went into the tomb, and when he saw it, he believed. At that time Peter and the other follower did not know that the Scriptures said Jesus would rise from the dead." John 20 TS

O - The very first followers of Jesus did not believe in his resurrection because the Scriptures foretold it.  They believed because they met, engaged, experienced the resurrected Jesus. Believing in the resurrection in principle because others do and/or because the Scriptures record it is NOT what Jesus or heaven has in mind.  From the first followers to the most recent, belief in Jesus and the resurrection comes not as a result of information but as the result of meeting the resurrected One. It is a function of spiritual revelation, not a conclusion of theological and historical assessments. Faith (belief, trust) is not a theological conclusion but a relational exchange … it is reliance on and confidence in a person.  Once you meet him … resurrection is a foregone conclusion.   

A - While there is "evidence that demands a verdict" this is not the basis of the faith once for all entrusted to that original group of followers. Faith in Jesus and in his resurrection is not based on a verdict but an encounter.  The encounter can come while the evidence is being reviewed but the two are not synonymous. John put it this way describing the basis of his faith: "We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning, whom we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is the Word of life. This one who is life itself was revealed to us, and we have seen him. And now we testify and proclaim to you that he is the one who is eternal life. He was with the Father, and then he was revealed to us." 1 John1:1-2 NLT This is the breath-taking beauty of heaven’s invitation to all people - Jesus is to be known not just known about. According to Jesus who is resurrection life - The Kingdom of God is relationships … literally brothers and sisters, sons and daughters not scribes and debaters. 

P - God who sent Jesus to our world,

Thank you for wanting and offering us all a relationship rather than a religion. In the person of Jesus we experience the reality that we are loved and wanted … and the depth of this is in knowing him not just about him. I admit this is only possible by your direct activity in spirit - an ongoing relationship where your will and mine are required. Yes to you and all you have in mind in Jesus.

Steve

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

The Change our World Needs

S - "The Religious Experts and the teachers began arguing, “Jesus is speaking irreverently! Only God can forgive sins.” Jesus knew what they were thinking, and he said, “Why are you thinking this? Is it easier for me to tell this man that his sins are forgiven or to tell him to get up and walk? But now you will see that the Son of Man has the right to forgive sins here on earth.” Jesus then said to the man, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk home.” At once the man stood up in front of everyone. He picked up his mat and went home, giving thanks to God. Luke 5 TS

O - Due to culture's insatiable desire to control it is always wanting to script the lives and events of people.  Religion leads the way in this tragic line of thinking.  It places extreme emphasis on what it perceives to be the right words and the right actions.  God's Kingdom is always about a right heart and an authentic relationship. Jesus asks the question: "Which is easier to say?" In a different conversation, he will go on to ask “What about those 18 people who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them? Do you think they were worse than everyone else in Jerusalem? Not at all! But you can be sure that if you don’t change your thinking, every one of you will also end in ruin.” Authentic relationship, not control! A change in heart and thought, not in vocabulary and performance. The world's focus is on informational accuracy (not a bad thing but not the most important one).  Heaven is focused on relational integrity (critical to life here and hereafter). 

A - The religiously, politically, theologically and the sociologically correct all want to script the words and the actions of people.  This promotes the pretend, the hypocrisy, the double standard which perpetually keeps our world at war, at odds with others and at death's door step. It's a right heart, a heart in ongoing transformation, which is the key to the life-giving results needed by each of us and our world. A right heart in an authentic relationship with God will stop the pretend, hypocrisy and the double standard.  It won't eliminate all mistakes but it does make the way forward through mistakes to life-giving conclusions.  Our world doesn’t need more scripting or control.  It desperately needs more heart felt change.  And of course, Jesus identifies the most important place where this change must start. With me! In me!  My heart, my thinking, my relational dynamics. I admit my need for the ongoing change of thinking which will avoid ruin and shape my heart as it was intended to be.   

P - Lord God Almighty,

Thank you for sending Jesus to the whole world (7.7 billion) to clarify your person and your purposes. Your pleasure is in a right heart not in "right words."  You're inviting us all to authentic relationship as daughters and sons not to a performance of actions disconnected from our hearts.  I admit that without your ongoing help I won't be able to live this way.  Thank you for making your heart toward us so very clear … if we will choose you will empower.  I choose!  I accept the invitation of Jesus to follow him and he will make me.  

Grateful and encouraged here on earth,

Steve

Heaven's Honor for All

S - "Father … I have honored my followers in the same way you honored me, in order that they may be one just as we are one. I in them, and you in me, so they may become completely one, that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me." John 17 TS

O - The greatest honor does not come in the form of rank, title or position. It is not offered as the result of heroic efforts or miraculous activities.  The greatest honor is relational.  LOVE, genuine, unconditional and unending is THE greatest of all.  It is the honor Jesus received from God and it is the honor given.  It is offered to the entire world God so loves.  This love is demonstrated, clarified and expressed in the love the Father has for Jesus.  With exacting detail, the honor of this love is for all who will accept.  Jesus is sent so that the world will know "that you love them as much as you love me." 

A - The one thing love does not do is force itself upon another. The words recorded above are not the validation but the invitation; they make the point not the proof. Love invites, waits, hopes and is always ready to respond to the one being loved.  This greatest of all honors, to be so completely and inexplicably loved, is something we can't buy or earn. It is a reality we can refuse, but not stop.  This love is not merely an ideal or philosophic concept to be considered. Validation is not found in ritual or academic pursuit. It is a relational dynamic which is not verified by some ancient text but experienced by those so loved. This honor is mine and is for all who will follow.  

P - God who is love,

Thank you for sending Jesus to the world (7.7 billion and counting). I admit that this invitation is to himself, not to a religion or concept or plan.  I know I can't make myself experience your love but when I make myself available it is amazing what I experience in you and your love. Thank you that this love is to be known not just known about. You and your honor are amazing.

I love you back,

Steve 

Belonging

S - "Jesus knew he had come from God and would go back to God. He also knew that the Father had given all things into his hands. So during the meal Jesus got up, removed his outer garment, and wrapped a towel around his waist. He put some water into a large bowl. Then he began washing his followers’ feet and drying them with the towel he was wearing. But then he came to Simon Peter, who asked, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus answered, “You don’t really know what I am doing, but later you will understand.” “You will never wash my feet!” Peter replied. “If I don’t wash you,” Jesus told him, “you don’t really belong to me.”" John 13 TS

O - Jesus is doing more here than teaching, though teaching he is.  This activity is more than an example, but wow what an example.  Jesus is engaging his followers with the terms of belonging.  His terms engage earth at its weakest and worst, not just its strongest and best.  The facts are irrefutable.  All humans end up with dirt which needs to be washed … refusing the washing or pretending there's no longer such a need torpedoes the truth of our condition and the dynamics of real relationship. No pretend here. Heaven is fully prepared for earth and earthlings at their worst.   

A - Jesus came (and still comes) to clarify the person and purposes of God.  We are wanted and loved at our worst not just our best; and at every point in between. Fully and continuously expressed in the person of Jesus, God's relentless love and defiant mercy abound.  Rooted in himself and the reality of love, we're invited to follow in a real relationship; one where no pretend or cover up is allowed.  Our acceptance is based solely on unconditional love. It's the deepest form of belonging one can know.  I am very grateful to be loved and to belong. All that's required is the cooperation of real relationship - my willingness to respond.  Yes, Jesus … I need you to wash my dirty feet.

P - Dear Jesus,

Thank you that in the full recognition of your own person and place, you didn't give a lecture but love. You didn't call humans to better performance but to the reality of relationship.  Thank you for wanting us at our worst … amazing!  I am available to you with all my dirt, not just all my best.  I do love you back.

Steve

Heaven's Invitation to Earth

S - "I won’t leave you like orphans. I will come back to you. In a little while the people of this world won’t be able to see me, but you will see me. And because I live, you will live. Then you will know I am in my Father, and you in me and I in you. If you love me, you will do what I have said, and my Father will love you. I will also love you and show you what I am like." John 14 TS

O - The original language here is quite precise.  Those who are following Jesus will NOT be left to live life on earth as orphans (those who must rely only on themselves for everything related to existence on earth). Also, the followers actually do what Jesus has instructed and here he has repeatedly identified his instruction:  Love each other as I have loved you.  Finally, he will "show you what I am like."  The showing is not an intellectual composite drawn from passages of scriptures or stories or teachings others have told. It is a personal and literal relational dynamic.  Jesus himself will disclose himself to those who are following. This is how the followers know what he is like.   

A - The problem for us humans is that we've been taught to say we're the children of God but to live like functional orphans.  We've been taught to obey … but love is rarely the point of the obedience earth is asking for.  Finally, the knowing which is presented by earth is not experiential and personal from Jesus.  It is a composite given by clergy, academicians and historians.  Jesus invites us to himself, not to historic and scriptural glimpses inspiring us to "make up in our heads" what he must be like.  We get to know him, not just know about him.  I am so very grateful to be experiencing his self-disclosure.  The result is refusing to live life as a functional orphan and to do the one thing he has asked:  to love others the way I'm being loved by him. 

P - Lord who still comes to us,

Thank you for wanting us to know you and not just know about you.  Thank you for inviting us all as children to live day by day in you and with you.  You are still amazing to this very day and I am saying yes to you and everything you already have in mind.  Love to all is always the first on your list.

Loving you back,

Steve