Finishing the project

Luke 14:28-30 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’

Jesus described the all-too-familiar problem of lowballing estimates for projects.  In a corporation, it’s common practice to preach cheap to management then ask for leniency when there are cost overruns.  And given the miserly control and fear of investment among C level executives, it is arguably the only way to get anything meaningful and substantial done.  Projects are treacherous ground even so because funding can be pulled any time.  Monies are counted quarterly no matter what projects are happening.  I will personally testify about 60% of my projects being canceled before completion, with people who were vital to those projects summarily laid off.

But this mini-parable is applied to a life following Jesus.  The level and cost of a lifelong commitment is often underestimated.  If you’re going to put parents, family or life’s pursuits ahead of your devotion to Jesus Christ, don’t bother saying you’re his disciple.  The balance here is that devotion to Christ will make you love your family even more.  It’s a matter of what reigns supreme.  And in this passage, Jesus stresses the long-term nature of a life given to him.  If your weariness causes you to abandon following him, you failed in your original estimate of cost.  Those around you who said it was only a phase are proven right in what they said.

There is no management to appeal to in order to increase corporate commitment to the project called my life.  Jesus paid for that life on the cross once for all.  It’s never the case that there isn’t help for me to continue in my following him or in all he’s called me to.  But there is also a giving up I can fall into if I try to do things on my own too much, things don’t go my way or my resilience is so low that fatigue makes me simply walk away.  Following Jesus, carrying my particular cross and letting him mold me into all he wants me to be is a lifelong project.  Indeed, I am his project.  For life.  May I finish (or be finished) well.

The vast treasure of the little flock

𝗟𝘂𝗸𝗲 𝟭𝟮:𝟯𝟮‭-‬𝟯𝟰 “𝗙𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗻𝗼𝘁, 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗳𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸, 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗙𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿’𝘀 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗱𝗼𝗺. 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘆. 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘆𝗯𝗮𝗴𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄 𝗼𝗹𝗱, 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗳𝗮𝗶𝗹, 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗲𝗳 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗻𝗼 𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗵 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝘆𝘀. 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀, 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼.

After pointing out God’s glory in all creation – in birds, flowers and grass and saying how trite they were – even in their existence – to human beings, Jesus gave the “therefore” passage above. It’s both supremely endearing and challenging, even convicting.

The “little flock” is nonetheless the object of God’s pleasure and recipient of the very Kingdom of God. This flies in the face of any “big flock” mentality. Small is good in this passage, and of course Jesus was speaking to the small band of original believers. As the church grew, “little flock” would no longer describe it, except in comparison with the overall population.

A strong part of Jesus’ description of the creation was God’s care for it. It was and is God who waters the earth, sends sunlight to plants and provides food for all the animal kingdom. This is an indication of his care for people, whom God cares about more. There is hierarchy in the creation, and humankind is its apex.

The instruction to sell possessions and give to the needy implies that one has possessions and one is not needy. Far from any human socialistic system, this is generosity after God’s own heart.

And once exercised, there is a new treasure obtained. This is a restatement of the proverb:

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗯𝘀 𝟭𝟵:𝟭𝟳 𝗛𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗶𝘀 𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝗼𝗿 𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗢𝗥𝗗, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗵𝗶𝗺 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗲.

… which is an almost scandalous truth concerning the heavenly economy. God becomes the debtor to human kindness and generosity. A reward is kept in eternity for the generous.

The final statement – “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” – shows that giving one’s possessions takes them off the throne of one’s life. You cannot worship something you give away and even renounce. Once done, the heart of a person – his/her intents and purposes – are directed and reside in heaven.

So, who is needy around me? Hands would go up if the question is asked. But clearly, there is godly counsel to be gained in this. Do I give grudgingly of any resource – finances, time, energy, etc. ? If so, that needs cleansing and correcting. I have freely received; get over yourself O my heart.

Do I demand notice and reward for my acts of kindness in this life? If so, Jesus says I have received my reward in full. That is NOT the treasure described in this passage. Give and I will prime the pump of blessing in my own life; that is very true. Let me be God’s conduit – his pipe – of blessing. Let it flow.

Undesirable heroes

𝗟𝘂𝗸𝗲 𝟭𝟬:𝟯𝟯‭-‬𝟯𝟰 𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗮 𝗦𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗻, 𝗮𝘀 𝗵𝗲 𝗷𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆𝗲𝗱, 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝘄 𝗵𝗶𝗺, 𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻. 𝗛𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗶𝗺 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝘂𝗽 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘀, 𝗽𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗶𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗲. 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝘁 𝗵𝗶𝗺 𝗼𝗻 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗵𝗶𝗺 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗵𝗶𝗺.

In his story to demonstrate what a “neighbor” is, Jesus made a hated Samaritan the hero of the story. The ethnicity and place of origin of this character was no mistake – Jesus was confronting national pride and exclusion. That tendency in Jesus’ teaching and actions is nothing short of an agenda. It stands as an unexpected point of focus for a Messiah who people expected to establish the nation of Israel as supreme over all others.

It confronted pride head on. That a Samaritan could be the only righteous person in the story while the religious leaders (priest and Levite) simply could not be bothered was a deep and cutting criticism of the current state of Jewish religiosity. Jesus never opposed the Law of Moses nor its faithful observance. But he pointedly opposed the corruption that came to dominate that faith during his days on earth.

Though the story was particular towards neighborliness, first century Judaism was hardly the only faith community practicing tribal and racial self-declaration of righteousness with literally nothing to show for its claims. To this day religion self-aggrandizes and puffs up its authorities and managers of ritual and law. And to this day it is anywhere from derogatory exclusivity to murderously hateful towards those outside its organization. Yet, says Jesus, it is outside corporate religion where true neighbors are found in heart and practice. And loving one’s neighbor is loving God, says the Law which the religious rulers claimed to uphold.

Am I like this Samaritan? Can I be bothered to help the bleeding, naked, dying victim? Do I even see that person? Certainly, the lesson goes far beyond a physical victim of violent crime. Indeed, it is the inner wounds that may need binding up and dressing. Indeed, there is a convalescence of soul that I can be a part of.

And do I allow my “least desirable” neighbors to be heroes in my stories and life? Permitting them to be good neighbors makes me a good neighbor. Telling the stories of their righteousness and heroism lifts them up in my consideration and that of others.

Fellowship of murderers

𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝟭𝟱:𝟳‭, ‬𝟭𝟭 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗯𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗻, 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗵𝗮𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗯𝗮𝘀 …. 𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝗳 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝘂𝗽 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝗺 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗯𝗮𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗱.

The annual prisoner freedom ritual was meant to keep the peace between Rome and those of occupied Israel. There is no biblical record of it being done throughout the Roman Empire, but that would be consistent with the concessions made to maintain control yet allow some local political fervor to simmer. Indeed, the Pax Romana (Peace of Rome) operated at the tips of swords and spears. So, not really peace at all.

That Barabbas was a murderer (likely of one of the opponents of Israel) was an appeal to his candidacy for release. But that he was a murderer at all was perhaps more so, for his advocates were actively using Roman force to murder the One who served neither their aspirations nor that of Rome – Jesus Christ. He was far scarier than any mere criminal or insurrectionist, because His insurrection was against their sin and corrupt authority. He had to go.

The riddle of the cross is that when humankind does its worst, God’s best results. Murderers free murderers and at some level even flaunt their actions with a destructive arrogance that hurts themselves more than anyone else. God pays love forward through His Son and establishes eternal supremacy over the small reign of small people.

The cross wins. Always and forever. In my life and that of all humanity.

Abandonment and loneliness

𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘄 𝟮𝟲:𝟯𝟴‭ 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝗶𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺, “𝗠𝘆 𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗹 𝗶𝘀 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝘀𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗳𝘂𝗹, 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵; 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗺𝗲.”

…

𝟰𝟬 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝘀𝗹𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴. 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝗶𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿, “𝗦𝗼, 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗿?”

Jesus’ request of Peter, James and John was both for their benefit and his. He appealed to their overcoming future temptation – a good reason for prayer for anyone. But Jesus also wanted their company because of the personal ordeal he knew was coming. He wanted his friends to keep vigil with him.

Surely, being abandoned was part of Jesus’ suffering. On the cross he later quoted David’s psalm, saying “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Psalm 22:1). Anyone who has suffered knows that having someone present can make a big difference. It was part of the reason the writer of Hebrews would say that believers do not have a High Priest who’s unable to sympathize with our weaknesses (Hebrews 4:15).

“Abandonment issues” stem from parental negligence. A person with a pattern of being left alone – by people whose role and job it is to be there for them – is very sensitive to any situation where s/he lacks company when it’s needed or desired. Yet, this is a situation where Jesus can provide company, for he knows what it’s like. It’s unavoidable to feel abandoned at some point – there are things we must go through alone.

Providing companionship for the suffering – aka the ministry of presence – is a powerful testimony to the presence of God. May I listen to God’s voice and provide that when prompted, knowing just being there speaks love.

And should I find myself in an abandoned or even lonely state, let me know Jesus went before me and will NEVER abandon me through the Holy Spirit. His grace is sufficient.

Bring me through

Job 1:8 Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.”

The heavenly discussion in Job 1 is unique in the Word of God.  God and Satan have it out over Job, a certified righteous individual on earth.  It is particularly unusual in that the accuser is not the one who mentions Job as a person guilty of this iniquity or that.  No, it is the Lord who brings up Job’s name.  Sometimes I’ve mused that if Job was there and knew what was going to happen, he would protest loudly – “NO!  Do NOT bring me into this conversation!”  For Job would puzzle about all the disaster and theological rankling that would follow.  In all his suffering, his biggest question would be “Why?”

Far from a boasting match between God and Satan at the expense of a poor human, we have in the book of Job a vital picture of the testing of faith.  It is Satan who makes it a petty contest.  All the while God knows his servant’s heart and even his limitations. 

I can read abandonment into the story, or abuse or oppression.  But God never abandons Job, and any abuse or oppression is on the part of the evil one.  It’s a universal script for the human condition.  For it is a constant temptation to blame God for every malady and trial I undergo.  And certainly, he allows these things in my life.  But God also knows what I’m made of – indeed, what God himself is building to this day – and knows the end from the beginning.  It is the supreme lesson of Job’s story that:

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

How could Paul, the writer of the book of Romans possibly have the assurance to say that “we know”?  Only by walking through Job-like experiences.  It’s hardly a desirable path,  but it’s part of being formed in Christ.

So I won’t be a fool and say “Bring it on!” but I will lean in and say “Bring me through!”

Suspended understanding

John 6:56-58 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your forefathers ate manna and died, but he who feeds on this bread will live forever.”

Many disciples ceased to follow Jesus after he said these words. It’s also clear if those who remained did not understand what Jesus was saying either, but they clung to him nonetheless because, as Peter said “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (verse 68).

The analogy of bread to Jesus’ body and wine to his blood is a reference to his sacrificial death for all humankind, as demonstrated in Luke 22:19 and as practiced during communion services across the world in a vast variety of ways and churches. It is a tangible reminder for Jesus followers to signify saving faith in Jesus’ death for their sins.

We have no record of the lives of those who walked away in misunderstanding this saying. But it’s certain that NO ONE understood it, so those who remained did not let their understanding dictate their faith. As Peter went on to say: “We believe and know that you are the Holy one of God.” (verse 69). Who Jesus was matter more than their grasping everything he said or did. Indeed, it could be said that they were confused most of the time.

Can I suspend understanding like that? Can I push through confusion and lack of understanding of the “how’s” and “why’s” and “what’s” and cling to the person of Jesus? It takes faith to know it will all be clear at some point. But if I know the “who”, I can float the the other unknowns. For I do eat the body and drink the blood, knowing fully what it now means.

This is not to say everything I might hear is the voice of the Lord. Truly, following the wrong human voice can be the blind leading the blind. But when a word has strong spiritual witness in the Holy Spirit, I can know it’s him and follow it on that basis alone. It’s required to “Test everything. Hold on to the good.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21) and the good things need my attention as a follower.

So be it.

Resignation with a wink

Luke 20:24-25 “Show me a denarius. Whose likeness and inscription does it have?” They said, “Caesar’s.” He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

Jesus had been asked a trick question, and one very loaded with national and cultural baggage. Should the people pay Roman taxes? It was a sore point because taxes were high and the collectors were notorious for adding their own fees on top, such that the people hated the Romans and the traitor collectors. So, acquiescence to paying taxes would be treasonous and politically treacherous.

But Jesus had an answer equally astute to the query meant to trap him. He asked about the national origin of the coins they were using. Of course, they were Roman. So, yeah, the Romans will levy taxes and you should pay them. But the people knew there were also Syrian and Jewish coinage in use. So his answer had a way of marginalizing Rome. It was resignation with a wink.

Roman taxes were unjust and cruel. Jesus knew that. But he also knew that rebellion against Rome was no way to be rid of the occupiers. We know he desired salvation for them. There is, then, a deeper and longer lasting desire in God’s heart even for those who profit from his people’s suffering. Jesus would go on to die on a Roman cross, with attending soldiers proclaiming his deity.

The divisive and conspiratorial accusations of tribal groups can and do inflame. Indeed, should we pay taxes? Should we support the group of people in power or fight them first with our words then our deeds, even unto armed rebellion? It’s hard to be dogmatic, for Thomas Jefferson’s suggestion for the motto for the United States Seal (not adopted) does hold scriptural weight – “Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God”.

But Jesus points to the things that people do have – their our own identity, currency and culture – in the din of tribal wranglings. What do I think it means to love our enemies? I might be quick to point out that I was never called to be a doormat, yet those words are lies, for I do serve a doormat Savior. This doesn’t negate oppression, injustice and suffering. It redeems it and spreads the Good News of Jesus as a counter-cultural undercurrent. There is no culture on earth like the kind that Jesus lives and spreads.

As enabled and prompted by the Holy Spirit, I will pointedly love my enemies and pray for those who persecute me. Grant me that strength O God.

A deeper reconciliation

𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝟭𝟱: 𝟭𝟳-𝟭𝟵 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝗵𝗶𝗺 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗸, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝘄𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗮 𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗻𝘀, 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗽𝘂𝘁 𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗵𝗶𝗺. 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗯𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗮𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝗺, “𝗛𝗮𝗶𝗹, 𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗝𝗲𝘄𝘀!” 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗽𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝗵𝗶𝗺 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗸𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗶𝗺.

The layers of hatred and evil that were in play throughout the Passion of Christ were the perfect background for his death. Pilate had released Barabbas, continuing an annual tradition to placate the occupied nation of Israel during a time of heightened national fervor. The religious leaders who had handed Jesus over to him insisted that he crucify Jesus, using that fear of uprising to get their way. And the Roman soldiers, who hated the nation of Israel in return, took it out on Jesus. As it says in Colossians:

𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝟮:𝟭𝟱 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀, 𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗮 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗮𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺, 𝘁𝗿𝗶𝘂𝗺𝗽𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝗯𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀.

There were those in every group and position in the hierarchy of group that would one day turn in faith to Jesus. Reconciliation in the Body of Christ would undo the destruction in which they had participated and advocated for. When Jesus said “Forgive them Father, they don’t know what they are doing” he certainly spoke of his own agony on the cross. But the embroiled resentment between people and nations was certainly in need of forgiveness as well.

Also in Colossians, Paul wrote

𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝟭:𝟭𝟵-𝟮𝟬 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗚𝗼𝗱 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗱𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗶𝗻 𝗵𝗶𝗺, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗵𝗶𝗺 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗶𝗺𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀, 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗻, 𝗯𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗱, 𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀.

… it was an “all things” reconciliation. This is no statement of universal salvation, but of the far reaching effect of the death of Jesus, right in the middle of the most bitter of antipathy between people. The peace made between things starts with individuals who know full well their own sin that was paid for. It spreads and encompasses all creation.

The soldiers, levying out their own punishment upon their hated assignment and the people in the land, were accomplishing the exact opposite of what they thought. A short time later, a centurion guarding the crucifixion, would utter (Mark 15:39) “Surely this man was the Son of God!” And others would believe later. It was not the end, but the beginning.

Do I regress and devolve into tribal hatred? Do I refuse to see the overarching of Christ’s reconciliation, even as it has overtaken my own life? Let me regain the vista of peace that falls upon the whole earth. And rejoice in all that has been forgiven and redeemed.

Of slap happy tyrants

𝗝𝗼𝗵𝗻 𝟭𝟴:𝟮𝟮 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝗱 𝘀𝗮𝗶𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀, 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝘆 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗸 𝗝𝗲𝘀𝘂𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱, 𝘀𝗮𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴, “𝗜𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗻𝘀𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀𝘁?”

…. and …

𝟮𝟵-𝟯𝟬 𝗦𝗼 𝗣𝗶𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝘀𝗸𝗲𝗱, “𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝗻?” “𝗜𝗳 𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹,” 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗱, “𝘄𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗵𝗶𝗺 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂.”

Responding to accusatory questions about his ministry, Jesus asked “Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said.” (v 21). That was considered impudent and disrespectful towards the high priest Caiaphas, for which he was struck by those around him. Yet, as the Jewish leaders turned him over to Pilate, Rome’s authority over them, they felt very free to answer his question with their own arrogance. There was a clear, ongoing conciliatory placation of the people of Israel by Pilate; it was in his interest to maintain civil calm and good relations with the nation of Israel.

This afforded the chief priest and his henchmen the opportunity to push Pilate around. There was no love lost between the two layers of power and authority. The Jews hated the Roman occupation and the occupiers themselves. And vice versa, to be sure.

It is a clear sign of a despot in power that demands compliant respect and abuses those who it believes fails to tow the line. In that regard, even asking honest questions that interrupt the human -ordained rush to “justice” – is seen as rebellion. And the attitude towards authorities above despots – whether human or divine – is lip service to protocol formalities with an underlying acrimony to anyone or anything that would presume to hold power over the tyrant.

This is a direct mirror of the posture of Satan in Isaiah 14:

𝗜𝘀𝗮𝗶𝗮𝗵 𝟭𝟰:𝟭𝟯 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝗮𝗶𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁, “𝗜 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝘀𝗰𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗻; 𝗜 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗺𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗚𝗼𝗱…”

That is, the Jewish leadership longed to rule over all the world and thought themselves worthy of that rule. The ultimate riddle was that they crucified the only One who was worthy of that rule, out of spite and rivalry.

Where is my despotism? Where do I presume to know it all and see it all? Where do I practice Joe Walsh’s lyrics:

𝑌𝑒𝑠 𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑛 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢, ℎ𝑜𝑝𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑝𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑡𝑒𝑠𝑡. 𝑁𝑜 𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑛 𝑏𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑦𝑜𝑢, 𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑣𝑒 ℎ𝑖𝑚 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑡

… where I should be advancing those below me and supporting those above me (vs. merely passing a test)?

There is no authority above Jesus Christ; every earthly tyrant will one can concede that. And Jesus rules with love and mercy, which are the delightful enforcers of his reign. Let me live in love knowing that His kingdom is not of this world.