A Friend of Sinners

"Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear him." Luke 15:1

Isn't that an intriguing phenomenon? Don't sinners usually smirk at, and dismiss religious people?

Maybe they had seen enough truly marvelous miracles that He captured their intrigue. Stadiums of people spend entire days watching endless high-speed circles waiting for a collision. Jesus staged a few crash courses where debilitating spirits got ejected and hurled into oblivion. Non-functional legs straightened out and their owners leaped up shouting. Stone-cold dead girls sat up and resumed gabbing. Yeah, that would gather a crowd of hopeless cynics even today.

Or maybe they sensed that it wasn't just a performance, but that He truly CARED about people and their problems. He wasn't performing a social experiment. He wasn't rallying a march to reform government. He brought God's government of compassion straight down into the streets. Holy hands touched decaying flesh, contorted limbs, and hauntingly vacant eyeballs. Empathetically, He gave health. Weeping He brought the dead to life. Exultant that the hopeless gained a new life, He broke out into dancing and shouting.

Or maybe He had something to communicate that people wanted to hear. Truth has a way of resounding with...truth. Not the kind of truth which takes delight in humiliating someone. But a truth that makes sense of the universe, yet points to mysteries beyond our understanding. He inspired human hearts to yearn for excellence, creativity, and to love selflessly.

Yet He didn't speak to simply make people feel good. He warned of present and eternal dangers, and the reality of evil. He exposed wicked intentions which hide in every one of us. He invited the ashamed to welcome the embrace of divine forgiveness. Humanity creates ways to save itself by its own craftiness. That way we can be independent. Self-sufficient. And expecting at any moment to be exposed as the imposter each of us is. Jesus' warnings didn't drive off the sinners. They appreciated the absolution which didn't require bloody knees, begging, and humiliation. They'd hang around non-manipulative and accepting holiness. Taking responsibility for one's wrongs truthfully makes sense. Strangely, it felt good to be with this holy guy.

What does it take to befriend sinners? Can heaven's true messengers still catch the ear of cynics? What would it take for us to BE children who truly represent the character of our Father? Can we be trusted with a fresh provision of power? Have we allowed our hearts to deeply feel His compassion so that we can extend genuine compassion? Can we be trusted to wield truth's sharp sword so that we rescue the oppressed without carelessly harming them?

Anyone can go get drunk with the drunks. We can even launch great crusades which fail to inspire souls to stand up to their captors. Heaven's Friend knows and loves people. He's inspiring us to make friends of sinners.

I want more power, love, and truth. Genuinely. I want to be a heavenly friend to sinners.

Uncontested evil. Help awaits its invitation.

Merry and I watched an episode of "Medium" last nite. Both of us receive divine revelation through dreams and seek to understand the mysterious love-language our Creator uses with us. Curiously, "Medium's" protagonist receives her revelation from no known source and refutes the existence of negative spiritual powers.

I get glimpses of the supernatural world where heavenly forces collide with evil. Too often I feel discouraged because I see evil prevailing against people physically and emotionally. Do you suppose it prevails because it is uncontested? Occasionally someone dares to admit they are oppressed enough, and they seek relief. Sometimes immediately, others over time receive power outside of themselves to live in freedom.

Today the story of Jesus helping the man who was harassed by many demons (Luke 8) reminds me of the very real, unseen world where evil is more than a curiosity and which really steals life from its victims. This familiar story portrays the beauty of a rescued life through the exertion of disproportionate power.

However we, like the people of that region and time sadly are more comfortable with a tormented soul next door than with the pure in-breaking of power to rescue him. The life-destroying evil is easier to reckon than the violence done by the good.

Probably two of the most saddening verses of the Bible sum up one of the most dramatically wonderful rescue stories. "Luke 8:36 Those who had seen it told the people how the demonized man had been cured. 37 Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with fear. So he got into the boat and left."

I am asking Him rather to come. I'll take Him disturbing my world with other-worldly violence to bring His joyful well-being into my life and others'. We could ask Him to get into the boat and leave. He's not pushy. He'll go somewhere else. He'll stay where He's welcomed. Those in need will experience the delight of their lives. I still need Him. Like, today.

Sailing against the strong winds of self

I am amazed by my Master. Everywhere He went He advanced His agenda. Luke records several encounters in rapid fire. Chapters 6 & 7 show Jesus healing crowds of hurting people and pointing them to draw their own proper conclusions: God is great. He is good. He gives power to those who submit to the Father. He cares deeply and helps those who are deep need.

Jesus' sails propel Him powerfully against the wind. The Father blows His character of love and compassion into Jesus' sails of submission, trust and loyalty. That which is seemingly invisible and weak explodes with manifestations of power.

Pressures intensify though. Those who control how the wind blows in their culture don't appreciate One who powerfully charts a conflicting course. Blind to the good, they resent such authority which makes no demands. It's easier to terminate the trouble-maker than to consider a better way. That would mean a troublesome change of life. SELF is god. "Leave me alone."

Love for the Father changes everything. Jesus thrives living for what His Father cares about.

Self cares only for the self. Self is driven along with the prevailing winds to a harbor of many other lonely souls. With false confidence they are tethered to empty docks which cannot secure them when even the moderate storms of life blow in. (Storms DO seem to come surely enough, even if not planned, don't they?)

Love for the Father offers a full identity--sonship. Self rejects the royal invitation, preferring its own identity. How empty. How sad. How weak.

Jesus concludes, "He who has been forgiven little, loves little." And for those who see it, "Your trust brings you into alignment with heaven. Live in wholeness."

Dealing with Temptations

Luke records Jesus' adversary coming to a hungry man during an extremely vulnerable time. Interesting how the devil wouldn't pass up an opportunity to strike a person with a sensible solution to a very pressing problem. Problem is, it is inspired by a sinister scheme. "Hungry? If you were really who you think you are, fix up something to stop your starving."

The enemy of all our lives knows where we ache. He feels our yearnings. He understands our propensities to pride.

My Hero obviously had already settled the matters deep in His inner man. He was convinced of Who He Was, and what He was to do. Undaunted. Unwavering. Secure.

Troublesome circumstances do not dictate a change of course. Not when I know who I am and what I am to do. I too will seek to respond from God's character today. Won't you?