This is living in the Reign.
M
Lord Jesus Christ
The King Who Tells Stories
Through all the teaching and preaching we find in the four Gospels, never once did Jesus provide a clear definition of the Kingdom of God. This was largely due to the fact that His audience, because of their history, would have had some idea what it referred to. He did, however, tell lots of stories related to the Kingdom. What was that all about?
Are You a Healer?
It may seem like a gross understatement, but our world is sick on multiple levels. Fractured relationships abound. It doesn’t matter if you are talking about relationships between husbands and wives, parents and children, employers and employees, governments and citizens. Relationships on every level are in a state of decline and decay. Disease continues to run rampant. Crime and poverty seem to be beyond resolve. Economies are unstable, causing a general sense of unrest. And the list goes on…and on… Our world needs healers. Are you one? Have you ever thought about it?
The Difference
Jeff K. Clarke has written an excellent post entitled The Difference in Calling Jesus ‘Savior’ and ‘Lord’ and its Implications for Discipleship. It is one of those “must read” posts for anyone serious about following Jesus.
Allow me to provide you with a few quotes to whet your appetite.
“In short…
“… ‘Jesus is Savior’ emphasizes sins forgiven. ‘Jesus is Lord’ emphasizes a reorientation in life, which includes sins forgiven. I’m no longer the king of my domain, he is. This reorientation changes everything.
“… ‘Jesus is Savior’ impacts me. ‘Jesus is Lord’ impacts me and everyone around me.
… ‘Jesus is Savior’ is often deeply personalistic and privatized. ‘Jesus is Lord’ retains the personal dynamic, but spreads out to impact everything and everyone around me. It is mission oriented (as sent ones) and seeks to reflect Jesus to others.
“… ‘Jesus is Savior’ affects only the spiritual aspects in life. ‘Jesus is Lord’ affects all of life; it is holistic and all-encompassing. Everything is affected by it; everyday and in every way. It isn’t limited to Sunday, or a mid-week program, or more generally to the religious side of life. But, lays at the center of life and thereby orients, shapes and informs everything else.”
Jeff goes on to nicely sum up the call to discipleship,
“Discipleship is not optional. It is not directed towards the few who take Jesus seriously. With Christ (read the gospel accounts), it was all or nothing at all. It was a summons with expectations. ‘Jesus is Lord’ demands our everything. ‘Jesus is Savior’ does not. The first focuses on a lifetime. The second on a one time decision. Unfortunately, the second does not always lead to the first. In fact, only about 50% of those who make decisions actually become disciples. Why? Because we center the call to follow on Jesus is Savior and not Jesus is Lord. One demands nothing of us. The second demands our everything.”
I hope you will take the time to read the entire article. Jeff gets it. He truly understands what it means to live in the Reign,
M
Who is this Child?
At the Advent season, there is a question that presents itself and demands an answer. It is a question that must be answered by every age and generation. The question is this: “Who is this Child?” Who is this Child whose birth gave rise to a holiday that is celebrated all over the world? Who is this Child that has sparked so much controversy and debate? Who is this Child that some faithfully adhere to and others despise? We don’t have to go far to find the answer.
