God's Generosity

I am mulling around the idea that Jesus brought into this world.  The concept of generosity — which is, as I understand it, is the character of God.

If we just take a look at the big picture of Jesus teachings. 

Actually the model he modeled for all to see.  It was one of extravagant generosity. 

I am thinking specifically of the parable of the landowner who paid the same wage to all of his workers; whether they worked one hour or all day.  And the workers, who worked all day, cried “unfair!”  

So he asks them:

                              “Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me?”  (Matt. 20)

Or Jesus' huge feedings with a small amount of food that fed thousands.  With leftovers to put in someone’s doggie bag.(Mk. 6 & Matt. 15)

Or how, when asked how many times we must forgive?  He basically answered innumerable time.(Matt. 18)   

Or When the Widow gave her last three coins.  "All she had" to the treasury? (Lk. 21)

Or in Mark 6 when Jesus tell his disciples:   “ To be great you must become a slave.”

Or at the wedding at Cana when he not only turn water in to wine; but gave an abundance of the finest wine providing for more than enough. (Jn.2)

Or how about when he says: “don’t store up treasures for yourself?” (Matt. 6:19f)

The other one, that causes us all to wonder, is the story of the Parodical Son?  (Lk. 15) 

Or when Jesus demonstrates what it all truly means to give; in the Garden of Gethsemane when he says yes to giving in life:

                                                        

“Not what I want but what you want.” (Matt. 26) 

What is it that the world has inadvertently missed in Jesus’ message?

God's Creative Creative Energy

In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, ²the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters.(Gen. 1)

A week ago, or so, I was writing about the idea of the image of the Spirit/God living in, and through,  Jesus’ body.   The image was actually like an arrow moving from God through Jesus and through Jesus into each of us.

And I was thinking about all of Jesus' “in-dwelling” statements in the Gospel of John; especially John 15.

Well, this morning I was trying to figure out a new and better way to talk about the Trinity — God Jesus Spirit.  That energy we are all blessed with; but can’t seem to actually grasp its magnificent preciousness.  

So God tapped me on the brain, again, and reminded me of how excited I was when I learned the Hebrew word ‘dabar’: pronounced dab-har by some.

To tweak your memory, think of Genesis 1 where God spoke and it was.

³Then God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light. (Gen.1)

Dabar, I was once told or read, means: “God’s creative energy.”

So I did my favorite thing and hit the books to refresh my memory.

”It (dabar) makes things known…It is filled with a power which is felt by those who receive it but which is present independently of such reception….The most important quality of word is truth…..Reception of the word is a spiritual process” (p. 508)

“The word stands in heaven (with god) is truth , is light, gives life, grants understanding, carries power, evokes trust and obedience and is the object of hope” (p. 509)

I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. (John 10)

Here is the deal!  God’s creative energy flows through.  

God’s creative energy moved through Jesus — actually lived in Jesus’ skin. 

And when Jesus was preparing his disciples for his time to return to the realm of the divine; he told them of this energy that would flow through them to guide them into all truth.

You can read all of this in the Gospel of John beginning with these powerfully telling words:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ²He was in the beginning with God. ³All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being ⁴in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. ⁵The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. (John 1)

Again, and again, throughout John we are told of this extraordinary gift from God.

This idea, concept, theological truth is, to me, the very substance of Jesus’ teaching.

First I invite you to take in the entire picture of Jesus’ being — gentleness, humility and telling the truth.

Think about it.  Jesus moved against all — or most all — of the cultural and religious traditions and practices of his time. 

He spoke a different language, so-to-speak.  Much of what he said, and did, did not fit the norm. 

He encouraged kindness not cruelty or bullying.

His major topic of instruction was against the habit of greed.  That, by the way, was his number one stance with the “authorities” of his day.

And you ask: “What about love?  Wasn’t that his major mantra?”  

Yes.  However the biggest opponent of love is the need to be wealthy and powerful.

Greed and love are like oil and water.  They having a difficult time living together in harmony. 

Being Acceptable continues

After yesterday's discussion, on God's gracious acceptance of our human imperfection, I thought I would share something I wrote in 2017 when I began this blogging adventure.

Here is the condemning question that always seems to hold some kind of mythical power for the asker:  “Are you saved?”  Or, “If you die tonight will you go to heaven?”  

In my interpretation of such questions are that they are meant to scare us.  Make us think that what we believe is not quite good enough.  Or that if we don’t interpret the Bible, just like the questioner does, we’ll end up in hell.

So lets talk about this great concern about being “saved”, or not being “saved.”  

The only authority, in this regard, is Jesus.  

And what Jesus says, more than once is: “those who believe will be saved”.  

He tells his disciples that all they — we — need is the faith as tiny as a mustard seed(Matt. 20). 

You can also check out John 3:15, or 11:26, or 17:3.

The only stipulation, the only one, Jesus put on the promise of eternal life — being saved — is faith/belief.

So your answer to the famous condemning question is: “yes!”  

“Yes I will be with God in heaven whenever I die.”

20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, while Mary stayed at home. 21 Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him." 23 Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." 24 Martha said to him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day." 25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.(John 11:20-26)

Now what do you want to talk about?