ONEFAMILY OutreachSign up for Weekly Study:ONEFamily Outreach exists to "Connect Kids to Community and Communities to Kids." Have you considered having a mission week for your church? This is one of my favorite "in-depth" ways of reaching out with the Great News of Jesus Christ. Activities can include:
ONEFamily Outreach is primarily supported by your donations and by trainings, workshops, retreats and concerts. Download More Studies | Download Music | Books and Products | Book Jerry “Heaven Was Opened”Luke 3:21-22The Baptism of Christ, Cycle C Luke 3:21-22[Lk 3:21] Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus was also baptized, and while He was praying, heaven was opened, [22] and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came out of heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.” (NAS) Jesus was also baptizedWe already know that John the Baptist had come under fire by many Jewish leaders who condemned him for baptizing Jews. In their minds, baptism was for unclean Gentiles seeking to become Jews. However, the Jewish belief was that they were already Sons of Abraham and “you can’t improve upon perfection.” In like manner, we are well aware of Christians who would use that mantle as if they’ve been admitted to an elite club rather than becoming of God’s grace in the midst of our sin. Christian privilege is a dichotomy in terms; Christian humility is our proper state. Some believed John focused on baptism because he belonged to the Essenes; a small group of desert monks who were ritualistically focused on austere living and ceremonial bathing. Yet, there is much more to John’s baptism than symbolic ritualism. It was the intent behind the ritual that John focused upon. The Jews (and many denominations today) are filled with ritual but have lost the intent behind it. Ritual without practice can become a dangerous distraction from God’s path. We can begin to believe we are faithful because we practice ritual, a process by which ritual itself becomes a god. What was within John’s ritual to which Jesus himself sought to affirm? It wasn’t just repentance from sin because Jesus was already free from sin. Even more than being freed from an act or acts of sin, John was preaching repentance from the way of sin. Scripturally, sin is defined more as a way of living than as an individual action. Repentance, in like form, is not just seeking temporary relief from the consequences of our actions it is changing the desires that lead to our compulsive and addictive habits (sin is almost always habitual in Scripture, it is not associated with “making a mistake”). So, why would Jesus seek to affirm that sacrament? Keep in mind that a sacrament is an “outward expression of an inward change.” It not only states my determination to change but it invites a community of believers to support me (and hold me) to that decision while allowing them to renew their commitment as well. Repentance is a new way of perceiving life and baptism was it’s communal expression. It’s not just saying; “God, clean up my past.” It is saying in front of a community driven by the same mission; “God, I am no longer my own, I am yours.” It is not just giving to God what I’ve done, it is giving to the great I AM what I was, what I am and what I will be. Jesus wasn’t like the other religious who were lining up to be baptized and whom John had to castigate for their lack of authenticity. Luke 3:7-9[Lk 3:7] So he began saying to the crowds who were going out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? [8] “Therefore bear fruits in keeping with repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father,’ for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham. [9] “Indeed the axe is already laid at the root of the trees; so every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” Our Lord was not just feigning an act of public confession for show. Jesus didn’t fake and he didn’t seek a public show. Jesus was standing before witnesses and saying; “From this moment on, I am no longer mine, but His. May God do with me as He wills.” Jesus was stepping out of a comfortable path as an obscure carpenter’s son and into the current of God’s river, a current both holy and horrible. Jesus’ baptism was a radical statement. Some believe that our Lord knew exactly what was in store for himself when he made that decision, others don’t. I believe that Jesus would be a fool not to know that the path he was choosing would place him at the crux (cross) of colliding forces: Temporally, he would stand between Rome and Jerusalem, but eternally he would stand between Satan and God’s beloved children—you and I. Jesus knew his destiny at twelve and publicly declared his intent at around age thirty. He was thoroughly aware that he was about to enter into the hardest endeavor in history. Some say the years between twelve and thirty were Jesus’ hidden years. That being the case, Christ’s baptism announced that he was coming out of hiding. He went directly from John’s baptism to serve papers on Satan’s front door step. The time of the Savior had arrived! Have we ended our hidden years yet? That is really the critical question for us. Have we experienced a baptism that goes beyond asking forgiveness for past sins to seeking repentance; a new way of being, seeing and acting? Have we come out hiding? Has the Lord of Darkness become aware that he has a new enemy? Have we served our warrant to Evil (in Hebrew, evil is a living and malevolent force, not a state of being), have we given him notice or are we even noticeable to him? Have we been washed for the fire? Cleansed by the waters of repentance to be purified by the Refiner’s fire? Let’s move beyond the hidden years and into the public crossroads of a viable ministry. Scripture often uses the term of being “slapped out of obscurity. It says this of Joseph when he couldn’t decide what to do with Mary and couldn’t decide whether to leave Bethlehem. In both cases, an angel had to come and “slap him out of obscurity.” For us, it is more like being slapped out of security; tucked away in the hidden lap of the comfortable. Let’s get off the sidelines and into the fray. It is a time to be slapped out of our stupor, out of obscurity and into what matters. Through his baptism, Jesus took a public stand that would cost him his life, but it would give life to us. Are we ready to step into God’s current? While He was prayingThis is a special insight by Luke and we wish we knew his source for none of the other Gospels remark on Jesus’ prayer. Matthew [3:13-15] and Mark [1:9] both tell us that the Spirit descended upon Jesus “immediately.” However, John (the author and beloved of Jesus) gives us an insight into the testimony of John the Baptist.[Jn 1:32] John testified saying, “I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him.” (NAS) Only one Gospel writer was a disciple of both John the Baptist and Jesus, that was John the Beloved. To me, there is great joy in this revelation. The Gospel literally testifies to itself, truth upon truth, spreading throughout Jerusalem, to Luke, to Theophilus, to Caesarea, Malta, Rome, and finally on to the ends of the earth. And don’t we want to make sure it doesn’t stop with us. What part of the world will we take the Gospel to on this day? Where are the “ends of the earth” in my town? To whom will we tell this wonder that we are being deeply beloved and esteemed by God? Yet, it is also interesting to note, not only who might have been the source of this eyewitness testimony, but also, what definition did Luke use for prayer? The Hebrews used a number of words for prayer, for example: · [HSN8605 tephillah] This was the primary word for prayer and it includes intercessory prayer, supplication or “a hymn.” · [HSN6419 palal] This word was the root form of tephillah. It has the same basic meaning as tephillah except it also means to judge as when the Lord tells Jeremiah He will not listen to the prayers of a stubborn people: So the LORD said to me, “Do not pray for the welfare of this people.” [Jeremiah 14:11] When used by Nehemiah, we see both terms used in their proper form as he prays for the desecrated people of Jerusalem: Nehemiah 1:4-11[Neh 1:4] Now it came about when I heard these words, I sat down and wept and mourned for days; and I was fasting and praying [HSN6419 palal] before the God of heaven. [5] And I said, “I beseech Thee, O LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who preserves the covenant and lovingkindness for those who love Him and keep His commandments, [6] let Thine ear now be attentive and Thine eyes open to hear the prayer [HSN8605 tephillah] of Thy servant which I am praying [HSN6419 palal] before Thee now, day and night, on behalf of the sons of Israel Thy servants, confessing the sins of the sons of Israel which we have sinned against Thee; I and my father’s house have sinned. [7] “We have acted very corruptly against Thee and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the ordinances which Thou didst command Thy servant Moses. [8] “Remember the word which Thou didst command Thy servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful I will scatter you among the peoples; [9] but if you return to Me and keep My commandments and do them, though those of you who have been scattered were in the most remote part of the heavens, I will gather them from there and will bring them to the place where I have chosen to cause My name to dwell.’ [10] “And they are Thy servants and Thy people whom Thou didst redeem by Thy great power and by Thy strong hand. [11] “O Lord, I beseech Thee, may Thine ear be attentive to the prayer [HSN8605 tephillah] of Thy servant and the prayer [HSN8605 tephillah] of Thy servants who delight to revere Thy name, and make Thy servant successful today, and grant him compassion before this man.” Now I was the cupbearer to the king. (NAS) When Nehemiah spoke of prayer he used tephillah, but when he was praying he used palal. Which term is most frequent in my life? Do I speak of prayer or, could I count myself among those who pray for others (intercessory), pleading with Him (supplication) to remember mercy and kindness (compassion)? Are the words of my mouth also the meditations of my heart and applied liberally in my actions throughout the day? Psalm 19:14“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.” In the New Testament, all of the Gospel writers tell us that Jesus wants us to pray. However, only Mark and Luke tell us how Jesus himself prayed. Mark makes reference to this once [Mk 1:35] when Jesus was preparing for his public ministry and left Capernaum early in the dawn hours to pray privately. However, Luke tells us that Jesus prayed: 1. When he was baptized [Lk 3:21]; 2. Before he named the disciples [Lk 6:12]; 3. Before asking the apostles; “Who do you say I am?” [Lk 9:18]; 4. Before the transfiguration [Lk 9:29]; 5. Before he taught his disciple the Lord’s Prayer [Lk 11:1]; 6. And, in the Garden before his arrest [Lk 22:44]. It is Luke’s intimate portrait of Jesus that tells us how our Lord was constantly in intimate touch with the Father during the most important decisions and trials of his life. Luke also tells us that the Lord warns us to imitate that behavior: “But keep on the alert at all times, praying in order that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man [Luke 21:36].” The strength of Jesus lay in his communion with God the Father; the two being One with the Holy Spirit. Yet, Jesus also tells us that our strength lays in our weakness and dependence upon communing with God. Our effectiveness is based upon being in constant relationship with God through prayer. We see this behavior modeled in the early church in the book of Acts: Acts 1:14[14] These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with {the} women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers. (NAS) Acts 2:42-45[42] And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. [43] And everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. [44] And all those who had believed were together, and had all things in common; [45] and they {began} selling their property and possessions, and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. (NAS) Acts 6:4[4] “But we will devote ourselves to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.” (NAS) Luke (who is very fastidious about his words) tells us in his choice of terms, exactly what he means by prayer. The word for prayer that he uses [GSM4336 proseuchomai] comes from two root words pro [GSN4314] and euchomai [GSN2172]. “Pro” means to “move forward to a destination” or to “move near to someone” or to “get close enough to whisper.” It is also used to “speak pertaining to someone,” even to “promote” them. Euchomai means “to wish,” but look how Christians used that word in the New Testament: Acts 26:29[29] And Paul {said,} “I would to God, that whether in a short or long time, not only you, but also all who hear me this day, might become such as I am, except for these chains.” (NAS) Romans 9:3[3] For I could wish that I myself were accursed, {separated} from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh. (NAS) 2 Corinthians 13:7[7] Now we pray to God that you do no wrong; not that we ourselves may appear approved, but that you may do what is right, even though we should appear unapproved. (NAS) 2 Corinthians 13:9[9] For we rejoice when we ourselves are weak but you are strong; this we also pray for, that you be made complete. (NAS) James 5:16[16] Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. (NAS) 3 John 1:2[2] Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers. (NAS) “Wishing” in this world’s vernacular is not the same as the word we see used by these men and women of faith. They “fervently desired” to trade even their own bodies for the freedom of those enslaved to sin. Bondage or beatings meant nothing to them if it were to result in the salvation of one soul from the darkness of hell. They would indeed die for the souls of their beloved church. Yet, to show such strength they had to go forward (pro) moving determinedly closer to Christ. In the end, that is where they found their freedom, free from all encumbrances of this world even (and especially) the fear of death, for they had already found life eternal through Jesus Christ our Lord. That is what it means to pray! Heaven was openedAll four Gospel writers tell us some variation of the statement that the heavens were opened. What is the meaning of that? Does it merely mean that the skies literally parted revealing a place beyond our dimension? Well, yes and no. Jesus tells us that the kingdom is different than heaven: “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven [Matt 6:10].” The Kingdom of God [GSN932 basileia] is literally the rule or reign of God. God’s reign begins the moment we start to “do his will.” The Kingdom involves a way of being within God’s will. Heaven [GSN3772 ouranos] is an existence where God’s will is implemented eternally and completely. On earth, we might do God’s will but the Evil One seeks to undermine God’s work. In Heaven, eternal and complete, God’s will is carried out without impediment, perfectly and fully. When Jesus came to the river to be baptized, those who were present (definitely John the Baptist, but also perhaps John the Beloved and Andrew (remember, they were first followers of John the Baptist) testified that they saw the perfect will of God being carried out. For one instant, they were given a glimpse into the eternal. For one instant, they were carried through the gates where Evil cannot enter and only the will of God is practiced. For one instant, the heavens were opened and they were allowed to glimpse the euphoria of following God’s perfect will unimpeded. The heavens opened [GSN455 anoigo] means that the Heavens broke forth. God’s perfect will “broke forth,” opened and revealed to those present. One other use of this term is “spoken freely.” For an instant, those who testified to this moment were allowed to hear God’s perfect will be spoken freely in all three of it’s integrated forms: Father, Son and Holy Spirit united as One. That is the day to which we are journeying, to the day when the Unity of our God is spoken freely, unimpeded by the influence of evil. This is the joy to which we seek to invite all whom we know and all that we are yet to know. This is the goal worth all of our efforts and energy; prayers and meditations. The day in which we too will see “the heavens opened!” Like a doveI remember walking with my daughter (at a time she was about eight) and as I watched her explore the flowers along our path a butterfly rested for an extended moment upon on her petite hand. Some people will look at an incident like that and say; “What a coincidence.” Personally, I saw it as a very spiritual moment. My daughter has always had a great heart for the Lord and incredible compassion for all living things (including spiders and snakes). The moment still reminds me of my responsibility as a Christian father to raise up a young woman who is a delight to her God. In my relationship with her, my daughter will learn what it means to be loved and how to love. That is an ominous task and I need all the butterfly moments I can get to help me remember the divine in her. I have no doubt a dove landed upon Jesus as testified to by all four Gospels. I am well aware of the theologians who call this moment purely symbolic and I believe that it was both pure and symbolic; but I also believe that this actually happened. I am also aware that it is merely preference that turns one man’s coincidence into another man’s spiritual moment and I prefer a life filled with the miraculous over the coincidental. In fact, the more I choose to look for God in each day, the more I see His symbolism and experience His touch? Whether some would interpret that as purely wishful thinking matters little to me. I choose to see life as God revealing Himself to me in increasingly deeper ways. His fullness washes over me in waves and it continually deepens the unexplainable peace that leads to unshakable faith. I choose a perspective in which children are blessed by butterflies and my Savior was confirmed by the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove. The dove itself was a symbol of God’s peace. The symbolism of the dove is first presented in the story of Noah and the flood: Gen 8:11[11] And the dove came to him toward evening; and behold, in her beak was a freshly picked olive leaf. So Noah knew that the water was abated from the earth. (NAS) Later, it was used to represent the loving care of God for His people. Like a mother dove that spreads it’s wings to cover her chicks from the elements: Psalm 68:13[13] When you lie down among the sheepfolds, {you are like} the wings of a dove covered with silver, and its pinions with glistening gold. (NAS) In Solomon’s song, the dove is representative of Christ’s love for his church: Song of Solomon 6:9-10[9] {But} my dove, my perfect one, is unique: she is her mother’s only {daughter;} she is the pure {child} of the one who bore her. The maidens saw her and called her blessed, the queens and the concubines {also,} and they praised her, {saying,} [10] “Who is this that grows like the dawn, as beautiful as the full moon, as pure as the sun, as awesome as an army with banners?” (NAS) The church and its people can hardly call themselves perfect, pure, and awesome. Yet, that is how Jesus sees us. As a bridegroom seeing his new bride; blinded to her imperfections and dedicated to her beauty. Jesus makes us into what he sees in us. So along with choosing to see miracles - literally to bring the divine into the mundane - will I take on the eyes of Jesus? Will I see the bride as he sees her? Will my love look past her imperfection and make her into the perfect wife that Jesus sees? After years of working with the incarcerated and the homeless, I have learned that what you see in people is what they become to you. If you see others with the utmost respect, they will endeavor to be worthy of that respect. It is hard to imagine, that we have a God who sees us in such a manner. He sees us into perfection, purity, and awesome glory. Praise our Lord! A Voice Came Out of HeavenThe Hebrews believed that the greatest inheritance was passed from the father to the eldest son in the form of a “Blessing,” a custom instituted by God in Genesis. First, God blessed all of life on earth: Genesis 1:22[Ge 1:22] God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” (NAS) Then, God blessed man and woman: Genesis 1:28[Ge 1:28] God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” (NAS) Then God blessed the Seventh Day: Genesis 2:3[Ge 2:3] Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made. (NAS) After the destruction of man, God returned His blessing upon Noah and his family: Genesis 9:1[Ge 9:1] And God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth.” (NAS) Then, in a surprising turn of biblical events, man blesses God and chooses whom to bless among his own children: Genesis 9:20-27[Ge 9:20] Then Noah began farming and planted a vineyard. [21] He drank of the wine and became drunk, and uncovered himself inside his tent. [22] Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brothers outside. [23] But Shem and Japheth took a garment and laid it upon both their shoulders and walked backward and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were turned away, so that they did not see their father’s nakedness. [24] When Noah awoke from his wine, he knew what his youngest son had done to him. [25] So he said, “Cursed be Canaan; A servant of servants He shall be to his brothers.” [26] He also said, “Blessed be the LORD, The God of Shem; And let Canaan be his servant. [27] “May God enlarge Japheth, And let him dwell in the tents of Shem; And let Canaan be his servant.” (NAS) Through Abram, God extends his blessing to an entire nation and even to those who bless that nation: Genesis 12:2-3[Ge 12:2] And I will make you a great nation, And I will bless you, And make your name great; And so you shall be a blessing; [3] And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.” (NAS) In Genesis 27 we see the deep meaning attached to this blessing when Jacob tricks Esau out of his inheritance. Once given, a blessing cannot be taken away except by God. This, in fact, happens to Saul when he disobeys God and lies to Samuel: I Samuel 16:14[1Sa 16:14] Now the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD terrorized him. (NAS) We see the details of Saul’s rejection in Chapter 15: I Samuel 15:22-23[1Sa 15:22] Samuel said, “Has the LORD as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams. [23] “For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has also rejected you from being king.” (NAS) Saul’s blessing is repealed, but not just because he sinned. David, who became God’s next king sinned grievously as well. However, Saul lied about his sin, not just to Samuel, but also to God. Saul took both Samuel and God for fools. These references give us insight into what God blesses and whom God blesses. God blesses what He creates and then He blesses those bless Him. He blesses the family and even the nation that blesses Him. In Hebrew, there are two words for blessing, Barak [HSN1288] and ashar [HSN833]. Barak also means to kneel, to thank, to salute or greet. In essence, it means to “formerly welcome” as into the family or into a group (like a church, club, or family). It is to be given a formal commission and the responsibility that go with it. When God blesses us, He brings us into formal relationship with all the attached responsibilities and titles, titles like Paul bore: Servant, Slave, and Prisoner for the Lord. Through Jesus, that blessing has been extended to all who trust in his name: Romans 9:25-26[Ro 9:25] As He says also in Hosea, “I WILL CALL THOSE WHO WERE NOT MY PEOPLE, ‘MY PEOPLE,’ AND HER WHO WAS NOT BELOVED, ‘BELOVED.’” [26] “AND IT SHALL BE THAT IN THE PLACE WHERE IT WAS SAID TO THEM, ‘YOU ARE NOT MY PEOPLE,’ THERE THEY SHALL BE CALLED SONS OF THE LIVING GOD.” (NAS) The other term for blessed [HSN833 ashar], gives a glimpse into the responsibilities of the blessed. This term means to go straight, to call upon Him, to be guided, or to proceed as called. This matches fairly closely with the Greek terminology where the two words used for blessing are makarios [GSN3107] and eulogeo [GSN2127]. Luke uses both terms dependent upon the circumstances of the blessing. In the beatitudes, the people are blessed [GSN3107 makarios] when their circumstances are unjust for their inheritance will be heaven itself, an eternity with God. Luke 6:20-23[Lk 6:20] And turning His gaze toward His disciples, He began to say, “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. [21] “Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. [22] “Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man. [23] “Be glad in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven. For in the same way their fathers used to treat the prophets.” (NAS) Makarios [GSN3107] means to be happy or fortunate and implies good luck or a good thing that happens to you because you are in the right place at the right time. That is certainly truth with God; who blesses us when we endeavor to be in the right places (which, according to the beatitudes are with the poor, the hungry, the meek, the sorrowing). Alternatively, Luke uses another word for blessed in the story of Mary and Elizabeth: Luke 1:42-45[Lk 1:42] And she cried out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! [43] “And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord would come to me? [44] “For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy. [45] “And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord.” (NAS) Luke 1:48[Lk 1:48] “For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave; For behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed.” (NAS) This word eulogeo [GSN2127] is the root word of our eulogy: To summarize a life as “well-lived.” “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master [Mt 25:23].’” We could literally say that makarias [GSN3107] is the blessing of your life and circumstances, but eulogeo [GSN2127] is what you do with what you’ve received. “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.”Jesus was audibly blessed by God twice in his life, in this verse and, once again, at the transfiguration. Matthew 17:5[Mt 17:5] While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!” (NAS) In both cases, witnesses testify to God’s statement that Jesus was: 1. God’s beloved [GSN27 agapetos]; from agape [GSN25], loved beyond reason or comprehension. 2. God’s Son [GSN5207 huios]; son, a special attendant (like Nehemiah was to his king or Joseph was to Pharaoh), it also meant the foal of a great horse. 3. Of whom God was greatly pleased [GSN2106 eudokeo]; he gave pleasure, joy to the Father. It also means well-chosen or chosen gladly for a task. This is hard for a consumer generation to understand, for we are so used to being “accepted based upon our performance (for what we achieve or obtain)” as opposed to being loved unconditionally. We are so alien to the concept of receiving love because we are children of God and merely approved of for what we have or do. We might rightly say that in this culture we are human havings or human doings, but not human beings. However what God blesses in His Beloved Son is his choice to be available to God; to be God’s attendant [GSN5207 huios]. It wasn’t what Jesus had done or accomplished that God blessed, for Jesus had not really achieved or accumulated anything in his thirty years as a carpenter’s apprentice. However, he was now choosing to leave comfort and obscurity behind him in order to become completely available to God. It was a choice that Jesus knew would cost him everything. How much easier it would have been to remain in Nazareth, in an out-of-the-way shop, in an out-of-the-way life. To be available to God is both lovely and terrifying at the same time. In fact, the word for holy and also for saint [GSN40 Hagios] means both sacred and horrible. It was a horrible choice to step in the Jordan knowing that it would bring deadly consequences, indeed, it was the ultimate choice of history, yet through that holy choice, salvation has become available to us all. How are we willing to respond to Christ’s choice? Will we too make a choice to leave behind comfort and obscurity to “be available” to God? It is interesting to see how long it took for Peter make that ultimate commitment to Christ? It wasn’t until after Peter’s betrayal, Jesus’ death and resurrection, that Peter makes that holy and horrible choice of availability to which, Jesus gives Peter both a command and a warning: John 21:17-18[Jn 21:17] He *said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus *said to him, “Tend My sheep. [18] “Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go.” (NAS) To be available to Jesus is to: 1. Tend to (be an attendant of [GSN5207 huios]) his sheep; and 2. To leave behind our plans, our comforts, and our will and to step into the current of God’s river Jordan. To step into God’s current is holy and horrible [GSN40 Hagios]. To be available to God is a blessing: Both makarios [GSN3107] and eulogeo [GSN2127]. It is allowing ourselves to be “yanked by our belts” to the tough places and to tender the “great report” that we took whatever we were given in this life and turned it into something miraculous. Is this the day that I will see “heaven opened?” When my earthly life and God’s heavenly focus will join in unity? Will this be the day that I; “Step into the Jordan, into God’s current?” Copyright NoticeCopyright © 2003 Jerry Goebel. All Rights Reserved. This study may be freely distributed, as long as it bears the following attribution: Source: Jerry Goebel: 2005 © http://onefamilyoutreach.com. The New Testament Greek Lexicon based on Thayer’s and Smith’s Bible Dictionary plus others; this is keyed to the large Kittel and the “Theological Dictionary of the New Testament.” These files are public domain. The Old Testament Hebrew Lexicon is Brown, Driver, Briggs, Gesenius Lexicon; this is keyed to the “Theological Word Book of the Old Testament.” These files are considered public domain. NAS Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible with Hebrew-Aramaic and Greek Dictionaries. Copyright © 1981, 1998 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved. http://www.lockman.org/. ABOUT THE AUTHORSince the late 70’s, Jerry Goebel has focused his life on bringing good news to the least engaged. Primarily, he has focused on reaching out to the incarcerated in juvenile centers, jails, and penitentiaries around the world. When he is not “behind bars,” Jerry is the director of ONEFamily Outreach, the focus of which is “connecting kids to community and communities to kids.” ONEFamily Outreach seeks to raise awareness about the plight of incarcerated youth and to train adult mentors to engage them in “Significant Conversations.” They do this by 1) training professionals and volunteers on how to prevent high-risk behavior in youth through raising the strength-based assets of a church or community, 2) creating effective relationships between churches and their local juvenile services, 3) providing a character-based curriculum which focuses on teaching values through one-on-one conversations, and 4) training interested adults in how to have strength-based, open-ended conversations with young people. ONEFamily is supported by your donations and by the concerts, trainings, and events that Jerry does for both faith-based and secular groups. For more information about these events, please go to our web site (see address below). Jerry is available for retreats, week-long missions, conventions, and concerts and can be contacted at: jerry goebel ONEFamily Outreach jerry@onefamilyoutreach.com http://onefamilyoutreach.com (509) 525-0709
OTHER WORKS BY JERRY GOEBELThe Deepest Longing of Young People: Loving Without Conditions $14.95 (paperback)This book is a faith-based overview of the needs of young people in a culture that has a difficult time understanding the difference between performance-based approval and unconditional dignity. It is a scriptural framework for engaging a young person in a healthy adult relationship in today’s society. To order, go to: http://www.smp.org/ItemDetail.cfm?ItemNum=3823 Significant Conversations: Helping Young People Live Meaningful Lives $14.95Significant Conversations is a workbook for adults who want to have a meaning-filled relationship with a young person. There are 14 conversations in this workbook and each section includes an adult overview, a youth overview, and an opportunity to “expand your emotional vocabulary.” Finally, each of the conversations ends with strength-based, open-ended questions that deepen the impact of the topic and a weekly calendar that identifies opportunities for applying the topic to one’s life. To order, go to: http://www.lulu.com/content/486979 Is There Hope For Me Now? $8.95 (paperback with writing space for journaling)This book is actually for young people who are going through a rough time. It helps them to work through some critical issues by journaling about such important matters as their emotions, forgiveness, choosing a healthy self-identity, and creating a positive vision for their life. To order, go to: http://www.lulu.com/content/495682 Musical CollectionsJerry’s CD’s and original music are available for download or order. He has won five popular music awards from the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers, and been nominated for two Dove Awards through the Gospel Music Association. For More Information, go to: http://onefamilyoutreach.com/bookscds.html Other Articles and StudiesYou can also order or download articles and extensive bible studies from our web site at: http://onefamilyoutreach.com/bookscds.html Sign up for Weekly Study: |