And Furthermore... (Other Thoughts on Lesson 2)

Why did we talk about Essenes, Pharisees, Zealots, Sadducees, Herod and Caesar and a bunch of other things that don't seem to have much connection to my world today? Well, first off, because I'm the teacher, that's why? And second (with a lot less arrogance), I want you to understand that the kingdom we are talking about right now is based in a real time, in a real place, with real people, dealing with many of the same issues that you are dealing with, and that Jesus' message to them continues to be equally valid in our day. These groups that we talked about exist today, particularly in our church culture. There are some, much like the Essenes, who insist on initiating the kingdom of God through prayer, and fasting, and withdrawal from everything that wreaks of the world. They pull away from the world and its pain and corruption.

There are some who, like the Pharisees, insist on laying down an unending list of rules and "don't-do-ems" in order to purify ourselves from the corruption of the world. While we should be careful what we allow to influence us, following Jesus was not about keeping a list of rules; it was about finding and living life to its fullest measure. We are free in Christ, not bound by rule after rule after rule.

On the flip side of the coin, the Sadducees just sold out to Rome and the pagan culture. This is the opposite side of the Pharisee coin. Culture is too powerful and we should just make the best of it, try to do some good stuff along the way. That's not how God's kingdom enters the world.

Jesus came with a different way. Be in the world, celebrate God where you find him there, awaken humanity to the God image within them, proclaim that the kingdom way is available through me, live differently than the world. Show them that this way is the best way of living. This is the way that I've shown you. If you love people then show them my way.

May we live, show, love, and awaken the world.

shalom, matt