I love how Jesus freely moves among the high and low, sharing the good news - no ‘sales talk' but in tune with their real world finding common ground i.e. natural/spiritual birth (ch. 3), physical/living water, planting/reaping, rewards & wages. Amazing how Jesus boldly but lovingly went face to face with peoples creatively adapting to each person, giving ‘space, time and grace' as needed... and yet without compromising His message.
I find it powerful how Jesus moves in to stretch the disciples spiritual vision - time is now, each disciple plays a part, v.37,38, harvest time is coming, the rewards overflow with joy, eternal fruit, v.36, new believers, v.39,41.
So how do I respond? Will I follow Jesus? Who am I praying for this week! It's like Jesus is whispering to Edith and me, ‘Be available, move into peoples' lives, be intentional with neighbors, Star buck friends, cancer patients, whoever!' Go for it! See you soon!
Dean
I loved this exercise, even though I had to do it fast today cause I'm under the gun. I found a number of principles, but here are two from the encounter with Nicodemus that I really like:
ReplyDelete1. Don't try to make it easy -- tell the truth. Jesus made it sound metaphysically impossible. How could Nico go back inside his mother and be born again? Jesus explained, no it's harder than that. You need an entirely different kind of birth -- spiritual. It's as weird but real as the wind. You know it's there, but you can't see it. The Holy Spirit does it.
2. Call people to faith in Jesus. The way into the Kingdom, on the other hand, isn't so complex. Believe in Jesus. Believe and this mystery will happen to you.