Projections

Readings for today: John 7-9

Good man. False teacher. Criminal. Blasphemer. Prophet. Messiah. Everywhere Jesus went, He caused division. People didn’t know what to make of Him. He defied human categories. He resisted worldly definition. He refused to be squeezed into a box or co-opted for any political, social, or personal agendas. Jesus was perfectly healthy and self-differentiated because He rested secure in His relationship with His Heavenly Father. He knew He came from God and to God He would return. He knew He was here to do His Father’s will and no other. He knew His purpose was to reveal His Father’s glory and that gave Him an otherworldly, even heavenly, authority that could not be denied. Humanity, however, hasn’t stopped trying to remake Him in our own image. We project on Him all our fears and anxieties and dreams and desires. The result is a caricature. A two-dimensional Jesus that bears no resemblance to the one revealed in Scripture.

I see it all the time especially in our current cultural moment. So many are trying to use Jesus to justify their political and social agendas. They cherry pick the verses about Jesus that support their position while conveniently ignoring or explaining away those that don’t fit their narrative. They use the words of Jesus like a club to shame those who don’t disagree with them. They treat Jesus like the ultimate trump card in any debate. They are always trying to claim Jesus is on their side. But here’s the hard truth. Jesus is on His own side. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords. All authority in heaven and earth has been given to Him. He will not rest until every knee bows and every tongues confesses His Lordship over their lives and over the world. He is reigning even now at the right hand of the Father and those who come under His reign transfer their primary allegiance to Him. We belong to a heavenly Kingdom that transcends all the false binaries of our world.

This isn’t an easy road to walk. It makes us aliens and strangers in the kingdoms of this world. It makes us seditious on some level because we will always be working for King Jesus and not for our own clan, tribe, or nation. Just like Jesus defied all earthly categories and resisted human categorization so we will as well. We will find ourselves walking a narrow road between Right and Left, Conservative and Progressive, or any other political/social binaries you can think of. This is not a “middle way” for that suggests compromise and cowardice. This is not some kind of “third way” because that suggests it’s one of many human options. No, it’s a different way altogether. A heavenly way reflecting a heavenly Kingdom. As Jesus said when confronted by Pilate, “My Kingdom is not of this world.” As Jesus prayed to His Father about those who would follow Him, “They are not of the world just as I am not of the world.”

Readings for tomorrow: Luke 10, John 10, 11:1-54

Seeds of the Kingdom

Readings for today: Matthew 13:1-53, Mark 4:1-34, Luke 8:1-18

I am blessed to be involved in several different Kingdom movements around the world. First and foremost, God is working powerfully through the church I serve in Parker, CO. PEPC is flourishing as she seeks first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. She has put God’s mission first in her life and God has richly blessed us as a result. I’ve never been part of a church making a greater impact in the world for the gospel. It’s humbling and awe-inspiring. Second, I serve as the chair of the board of the Petros Network which has planted over 8000 churches in the Horn of Africa. We work with over 180 denominations at last count and through them, I’ve met some of the most amazing men and women who willingly offer their lives to spread the gospel. Third, I get to work with incredible immigrant leaders in my own community. They come from India and Latin America. The work they’re doing to spread the gospel among their own people is incredible. What these movements all have in common is they began small. They faced real obstacles along the way. They’ve often had to work with a skeleton staff on shoestring budgets. But God is faithful. The seeds we’ve planted are growing. They are becoming tall trees and many are coming to rest in their branches.

According to Jesus, the Kingdom of God often takes the form of a small seed. It may not look like much at first but after it’s planted and watered, God gives the increase. It grows and grows and the fruit is undeniable. Listen to how He described it to His disciples again. “He presented another parable to them: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. It’s the smallest of all the seeds, but when grown, it’s taller than the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the sky come and nest in its branches.” (Matthew‬ ‭13‬:‭31‬-‭32‬ ‭CSB‬‬) I will admit it’s hard at the beginning. I know I’ve often grown impatient as I waited for the seed to take root and grow. I’ve sometimes become discouraged at the time and effort it takes to cultivate the soil and water the ground. But God is quick to remind me that there’s nothing I can do to make the seed grow more quickly. I have to be patient and faithful and trust God for the increase.

When I think back over the course of my life, I see a similar dynamic in play in my marriage and parenting. I see it my own personal journey as a believer. Perhaps you do as well? What seeds are being planted in your life right now? Where are you being called to wait and trust God for the growth? What are you working to cultivate in your marriage, family, career, or personal life? What fruit are you harvesting? In my experience, we are usually engaged on some level in all of these areas. Don’t let fear or discouragement disrupt the work of the Kingdom of heaven in your life!

Readings for tomorrow: Matthew 8:18-34, 9:18-38, Mark 4:35-41, 5:1-43, Luke 8:22-56, 9:57-62