Ch. 14 - The Feast

Ch. 14 - The Feast

These are notes of my reflection in Chapter 14.

The four cups of Passover represent four promises:
Rescue
Freedom
Redemption
Renewed relationship

The author says that no lambs were present. I say prove it! I doubt that Jesus set up a Passover with just bread and wine. I dig Seders. I have been to two. One with Christians from TP and one held by the Jews for Jesus. I acknowledge Christ's authority. He could have ditched the lamb to teach the disciples. He totally could have. In the bible, is it hinted at or explicitly stated? No. Is the author deducing, rationalizing? Is he "The Message" bibling (I made that a verb) the account?

The equation for Diminishing Isolation is: diminishing isolation = entering it
I have experienced these things. It also works in reverse: increasing the community or cool by assimilation. Jesus assimilates us and we consistently reference being seen by God through the lens of Christ.

Communion represents the sacrificial and substitutionary love of Jesus. I often reflect on the promise of salvation, Jesus on the cloud, resurrection of the dead and even the great commission and my commitments to God. I think it would be best to refrain from thinking about my works during our communion times and only to focus on God's merciful love. When I think of my works during a week or even the years I have been in relationship with God, I can become pitiful: I don't deserve the communion. I haven't worked for it. Communion is my participation and relationship with God. Not a score card.

Feasting requires active reception of the feast. It is presented. I take it in. Action.

Passover is a family meal, we are an altogether new family through Christ (our baptism and resurrection). We ought to be united through these aspects, however, I consistently hear disciples who come to Turning Point say "I like it here because there are people who are like me: young, also in 'the industry,' also educated," and so on. I can be territorial and want fewer of the people who are looking for themselves or a church community that suits them. I want a great number of people who came for Christ and cherish the community they are with no matter the differences. We are 'a band of natural enemies who love one another for Jesus's sake.' The variety gives the community mad flavor as does the salt of godly hearts.

We are dormant until we are in the presence of the Creator, the spiritual presence. I have seen so many people who are active and kinetic even though they are not disciples. While we all agree that their lives will be better once they know God, I reflect on how their lives will be difficult, with this calling and eyes wide open to the snake and dove of being born again. I hope that they will sacrifice this life for a transformed life here and in heaven after this.

- Amber

Ch. 13 - The Temple

Ch. 13 - The Temple

These are notes of my reflection in Chapter 13.

And so Jesus cleared the temple for the Gentiles. I love this. I continue to view myself as a Gentile, or, at least, carrying over my ignorance of who God is and how richly mankind has been blessed and designed by God. Jesus set apart room for me. He chastised the Jews for taking away my place of prayer. Jesus wants us (everybody) to remain in reflection of God.

We are inconsiderate of the design of the experience and often transform the intended (experience of "going to church") into tradition and a situation into a sensical platform. I think about righteousness, how I want so much to have my ideal relationship with God: I am loved and give devotion that expresses who I am, all of my skills and beauty fossilized, no challenge I can't conquer, I am a shining ray of light, nothing ever offends me and I am completely free of obligation: living in a universe of freedom, liberty, play. Sometimes I feel so sad that it seems I see everything as an obligation and not a privilege or honor. For example, serving the church or evangelism or going to work (all the time!).

For me, it is available to reflect on the intended: Jesus is looking out for our prayers and reflections, God is my shalom.

The author of the book says it's impossible to ignore how controversial and amazing Jesus is. Actually, it is possible to only respond with, "[Jesus], What an interesting guy" in view of all that Jesus has done. God enables us through faith and the Holy Spirit to recognize what this righteousness (Christ's obedience, authority and love) means for us. I say it means I can love people (as counter and lacking as my love may appear to the people in my universe) and know that God, Cristo and Shen Ling (Chinese translation of "Holy Spirit," sounds cool doesn't it?) transform me.

- Amber

Entitlement

"By saying "did not come to be served," he assumes that he had every right to expect to be honored and served when he came, though he did not exercise that privilege." Chapter 12, page 140

Jesus, the Son of God, had every reason to feel, be and act entitled to everything. He died for all of humanity, he deserved to be treated like a king and yet he was an extremely humble man. As I sit here typing this blog entry, I'm in awe of Jesus and I'm really convicted. I can't even tell you how many times I felt entitled to something because of my spiritual resume. Far too often I've told God, 'Why won't you give me what I want? I've lead in the teens for 5 years and a singles bible talk, when am I going to get what I desire? People around me who haven't done half as much as I have are being blessed, that's not fair!'.... well it wasn't fair that Jesus had to die for all of us and his spiritual resume trumps everybody's and it always will. Jesus loves us and that's why he died for us. Am I serving out of gratitude and love for his sacrifice? God knows I need to check my motives everyday. I'm not entitled.

Who am I?

"No matter how many of these things you gain, it's never enough to make you sure of who you are...

Jesus says, "i don't want you to simply shift from one performance-based identity to another; I want you to find a whole new way. I want you to lose the old self, the old identity, and base yourself and your identity on me and the gospel."

Tonight I had the honor to be apart of a study. I love being apart of studies because not only is it great to witness someone grow in their faith and learn who God is in their life...God teaches me as well a new perspective on scriptures I've read before. Tonight's study was on baptism and repentance and it reminded me of this section of the book.

One scrip in particular stuck..

"But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. (Romans 8:10 NIV)

Lately I've been learning I have more fear than I thought I had. So many insecurities that I have about myself were presented in plain view through a friendship. In reading this book and participating in the study, I realize I'm not completely doing what God has asked me to do...die to my old self or old thought patterns. Instead of completely surrendering those insecurities and the part of my heart that lives in fear, I have yet to give God full control.

I need to remember that through baptism and through His grace the old Jenny is no longer and whatever healing that needs to be done will be done with God. In other words I need to submit to the Spirit's will and not my flesh. Who I am now is someone who is being redefined, restored, and renewed through God....i just need to get out of the way and base my identity in Him.

I wasn't crying, I was uh... just itching my eye. Yea, that's it.

King's Cross has helped paint the love and compassion of Jesus in a way I haven't seen before.  The story of Jairus and his daughter has had the greatest impact on me.  I haven't had the opportunity to write about it yet, so even though it wasn't from this week's section, I'm going to write my experience in reading that part of King's Cross.  I first read this book a few months back.  It was around Christmas time.  I boarded the plane to Montana to celebrate the holidays with my family with the book in my hand.  Typically, I pack the night before and morning of my flight.  I was a wee bit behind schedule, but was really excited to see my family.  Especially my sister.  Due to all that, I slept for about two hours that night.  Needless to say, on the flight I was really tired.  When I'm tired, I tend to feel things on a deeper level than normal.  One could say that when I am tired, I become a bit emotional.  I will neither confirm or deny that.  Anyways, I sat on the plane next to a lady in her early forties.  She saw the Bible and King's Cross in my lap and initiated a conversation.  I took the opportunity to share my faith with her and she seemed to be really encouraged.  The Holy Spirit definitely led the conversation.  After seeing the Spirit move in our discussion, I sat there absolutely amazed that God would give us  such an amazing gift in the Spirit.  It slowly began to hit me that I, Jacob Seth Jensen, in no way deserve the love and joy that God so freely has given to me.  I truly felt overwhelmed by God's love.


After reflecting on the amazing conversation I had with a stranger and how encouraged she seemed to be, I decided to open King's Cross and see what God wanted me to read that day.  As I read through the story of Jairus and his daughter, I began to see Jesus in a way that I had not before.  It has always been easy for me to see Jesus as a social activist and a man of integrity.  What I had not meditated on before was the loving way he addressed the people in front of him.  Keller points out that Jesus wakes the young girl up.  He snatches her back from death.  He refers to her with a pet name such as "sweetheart" or "honey."  As I read this, my eyes started to water up.  I put my sweatshirt hood over my face so the lady next to me couldn't see.  I turned my body to face the window.  The image of Jesus that Keller painted totally changed the character of Jesus in my mind.  I began to see him for the loving, compassionate and patient Lord that he is.  It was probably my favorite part of the book.  My prayer is that I can imitate Jesus in his strong conviction and steadfastness, but also his gentleness and patience.  He is the perfect balance of velvet and steel.