Matthew 6:25 – "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?"

Jesus was radical. Yet he was also viewed as a teacher. When we read the stories of the gospel, there is no denying that his actions confused and confounded many. They even caused confusion for the apostles. Even they didn’t understand his mission, though he told them his purpose.

He shocked traditional leaders because he ate and kept company with those that society would have scorned and excluded. He knew, and stated publicly, that those who were lost were the ones who needed him. He knew the souls of those that were hungry for forgiveness and redemption. He knew they needed the same relationship he had with his Father.

The parables he taught were accurate to the era. And within each parable were thought-provoking events. Jesus had so many conversations with women and people outside the Jewish faith tradition that there is no question his mission extends to everyone. 

Jesus is the Savior of all people. We only need to say his name.

Jesus did not tolerate sin, rather he firmly convicted those in the wrong, but not without hope of redemption. He gave directions. He granted forgiveness. He healed the sick and raised the dead. He gave sage advice with quiet voice and was never angered by interruptions. He created teaching opportunities everywhere he went. As a matter of fact, most of his teaching moments were while he was “on the way” to somewhere.

Jesus knows our world is hard. He knows it is often hard to see the path we are walking on and the goal we wish to reach. He has compassion for our pain. Reach for him and he will return your efforts in manners unfathomable. Look for his interruptions while you are on you way.

Seek the knowledge of his word. Speak the words of the prayers. 

-- Michelle (click to send me a note)
Educational Development

Pray Well!!

P.S. Even in his time, people did not understand the parables. Jesus explained them to the apostles so that they could teach their successors. These successors now teach us, and while the context of parables may be outside of our own context, they contain timeless lessons as we continue to pursue truth. Jesus is OUR Savior!

But why do we need a Savior? The world offers us alternatives to faith - social groups, counselors, causes, medications. The world offers us paths to happinesss  - respect and esteem, the next job, the next car, the next vacation. Life is good! Indeed it is! We live in a most prosperous time; the poor have cell phones and recieve welfare checks. Medicine has wiped out diseases that plagued the men of old. We don't need God. We have evolved beyond our need for God, beyond the mysteries. We are good people, yes we are. Yes, we can be good and generous without God!

But Jesus came for ALL people not just those in his time. So what do WE need to be "saved" from? The truth is there is still oppression in our world, some government-based, some not, some physical and some emotional. There is still war and abject poverty. We may not be directly affected but we are a part of the human family that is affected and by accepting our savior, we help our human family!

But even in our personal lives, we need our savior! We need to be saved from our hurts and traumas, from our depression and anxiety, from our rabbit holes, from our fears and addcitions, from our hate, our anger and grudges. We need to be saved from the times we give in to weakness, the times we take shortcuts because it is easier, from our poor choices. Think of "saved" as meaning the same as healed.

The term "sin" has gotten a bad reputation. People see it as a statement of judgement. It is not! It is simply the human condition, the daily struggle to have courage, to be kind, and to accept challenges to live virtuously. Sin is anything we do, or even think, that does harm to anyone, including ourselves, whether phisical, emotional, or spiritual. Sin is the toxin that kills our spirit. The act in which Jesus died on the cross, rose from the dead, and ascended into heaven is that gift which restores us to our true selves, a being capable of such love and greatness that we cannot even imagine it.

Speak the name of Jesus. Accept his gift! Live in his love!