More Than Bread

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What did Jesus do on Wednesday of Holy Week? The New Testament is silent. But I have to believe that Jesus was thinking about Judas, praying for Judas. In less than two days, Jesus will be star player, center stage, in an event that will fulfill the deepest purposes of God and split history in two.  In a few hours he will be fulfilling his call, and turning history inside out, while hanging on an old rugged cross.

But before that moment comes, Judas will betray Him. And before that moment comes Jesus will show Judas the full extent of His love.  He would even wash his feet. If Jesus loved Judas, He can love me too. And He does. That's what he was doing on Wednesday, getting ready to show us the full extent of His love!

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Where is your sacred space? When Jesus died on the cross, the veil in the temple, which kept everyone away from the very holy presence of God, that curtain was torn in two., from the top down. We usually focus on the message in that moment, as an invitation to come. You're invited. Come into God's presence. But what if God tore the curtain in two as a way of saying, "I will not be put in a box.  Walls cannot contain me."  

Listen, this changes everything.. Do you understand? Since the resurrection, any place can be a sacred space, because Christ is let loose and His presence brings the sacred to every space He touches. Every revival begins with an arrival; a fresh revelation of the glory and majesty; the love and power of Jesus. The good news is that God cannot be put in a box. Walls cannot contain Him. Because of that, I am filled with hope and expectancy that every time I step out my door, I'm entering into potentially sacred space.

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I think most of us think that prayer is a good thing. Something we should do more  of... when we are able. But few of us think of prayer as a necessary thing. Most of us think that the reason we aren't loving our neighbors, our workmates, classmates, family and friends well is simply because we don't have time. If I just had more time I would be  love better. I would be a good neighbor. But the reality is that we can't do what Jesus calls us to do without Jesus helping us to do it. Our communities simply will not change if we do not pray.

In this episode we see Jesus launch a full-out, clean-up of the Temple. Why? Because it was no longer a place of prayer for all people. I'm going to challenge us to fill Holy Week with prayer! I hope you will take up the challenge with me!

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We are only a few days away from the start of Holy Week, Palm Sunday. In Luke 19:41, there is a picture of moment, as Jesus came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, He began to weep. I can't get that scene out of my mind. It's a moving party, a celebration; people yelling, shuffling around trying to get a glimpse. All of a sudden the parade stops. On a hill overlooking Jerusalem; it's Jesus' first sight of the city.  He's coming over the mountain on the road leading into town, panoramic view of the city. He steps off his ride and stares at the city across the valley. Those in the crowd close to him, begin to  notice tears and the crowd grows silent as word passes back. Jesus is crying.

When Jesus comes into a city, He comes in with tears. What brings unexpected tears to Jesus' eyes?  He's crying for a city that missed it's moment. BUT...in this episode we'll talk about the people who didn't miss him!

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Something happened when Jesus died on the cross. Something deep down in the  foundations of reality shifted. It isn't just a story that shows the soft side of God.  It was cosmic redemption -- grace started working it's way backwards and forwards through time, as God began to reconcile all things to himself "through the blood of the cross." (Colossians 1:20).

We Celebrate. Christ. Crucified.

We celebrate the day the Living Water said, "I thirst."  We celebrate the day when the Resurrection and the Life died. We celebrate the day when the King set all powers aside to serve the powerless. We celebrate the day when the Son of God became the Lamb
of God left to bleed on the altar for our sins. 

We Celebrate. Christ. Crucified.

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I wonder how often we miss Christ's invitation to join him in a miracle because we  think he's leaving the solution up to us. So, we count our coins, strategize our plans, and work up our gumption only to realize, "Yeah, we can't do that. We don't have enough. We can't give what we don't have." Jesus is looking for a yes and too often, all we have is a "yeah but." 

Yeah, but...you can't ask me to be their friend. Their needs are so deep. I just don't have enough time. Do you know what it would cost my family? My kids? Can't give what I don't have. If there’s one message that I would love for us to lean into in this episode, it's these five words… "There is more than enough." With God there is more than enough!

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Here's a good legacy question. How will I be remembered? That's a great question, an appropriate question to ask, but I would suggest that there's an even better legacy question, not just how will I be remembered, but "Who will remember me?" I’ve been thinking about that a bit lately. Unless you are a world-changer, book-writer kind of person, a lifetime after you die, you’ll probably be forgotten. My kids barely remember my grandparents and their kids will never know them. I’m not saying that your life lived well now won’t impact generations to come. I’m just saying that they won’t know it was you.  So it’s an interesting question, Who will remember me? 

In this episode we are looking at the story of a woman who has  been remembered for centuries because of an extravagant act of generous love for Jesus.  I'm a bit jealous of her. I wish I had the opportunity to give an extravagant gift to Jesus, to see the expression of gratitude on his face.  And I will simply ask this question, "What if we do have that same opportunity every day?"

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I think part of what Jesus is saying in Matthew 25, is that when you come across those who are in need, I don't want you to think of them as the least of these. I want you to think of them as family. They are not just the "least of these" they are family. In fact, they are not just family, they are Jesus, to us.

So...

Go Love Jesus. I'm not taking about going to church on Sunday. I'm taking about a go-love-Jesus adventure. I mean honestly, does it matter where we gather on Sunday if we  don't love our neighbors in need on Monday? Sunday is half-time, it's not the game.  Monday is proof of Sunday. Monday is mission-day and if we aren't going to love Jesus in need...then we're looking for all-in benefits with a casual commitment. So go love Jesus.  Show Jesus your generosity!

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This is what love does. Love gives and God gave the greatest gift. He gave us his son. Jesus died for us. My sin responsible for his death. And what does God do. He invites us into His family, gives us a seat at the table. For God so loved the world that He gave His only son...

So that whoever believes would have life. This is the Greatest Invitation . Whoever.  Is there anyone left out of whoever? Is there any distinction between the people who are
part of whoever? Does it matter if you are rich or poor? Does the color of your skin matter? Does it matter if you are gay or straight? Does it matter if you were abused or had a happy childhood? Does it matter if you had an abortion? Are you left
out of whoever...if you were a bad parent? 

No. Whoever is whoever. The greatest God with the greatest love has given you the greatest gift!

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There was a moment in the life of Peter, before he was a Jesus-follower, a fishing boat moment that lead to an "if you say so Jesus" moment.  Are you an if-you-say-so-Jesus person? Or do you always know better? It’s hard to surrender when I think I always know best.  This moment was a test for Peter. Jesus is looking for people to invest in; leaders to develop; people who will help him make a difference in the world. And the people He's looking for are the kind of people who get good at saying, "If you say so, Jesus."

All the best stuff beyond the measure of our ability to dream is on the other side of, "if you say so Jesus.”  If you say so, I surrender.