"Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who despise their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. All those who want to be my disciples must come and follow me, because my servants must be where I am." vv25,26
In the somewhat old, but certainly not outdated, 1970s book, "Disciple", the Argentinian author, Juan Carlos Ortiz, describes what he calls the Gospel of the Evangelicals. He argued that the majority of Christians had conveniently taken all the nice, comforting bits of the four Gospels and rolled them into one, but left out the more challenging passages that may require something from them, a stepping out of their comfort zone. Has much changed 30 something years later??
I don't think John 12:25,26 would be found in this fifth "gospel" Ortiz talks about. I find it confrontational, convicting and a massive challenge. I am still very much exploring what it means to truly despise this life and be prepared to unequivocally follow Jesus. How are the rest of you getting on??
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An eight week journey of seeking God as we read.think.pray.live our way through the gospel of John
An Invitation
Please join us during this lead up to Christmas 2009 by doing the four things listed below. Anyone can join at any time throughout this 8 week period although obviously it would be best if you can begin with us on the first of November 2009.
Requirements:
1. Commit to seeking God EVERY DAY in Nov & Dec '09 in a way that is more radical than anything you have ever done before.
2. Read.think.pray.live your way through the Gospel of John in seven weeks (3 chapters each week) and then 1 John, 2 John, 3 John in the final week.
3. Listen to the Holy Spirit and obey whatever he says to do!!
4. Contribute your insights and experiences to this blog.
May we all continue to seek the Kingdom of God before anything else!
Requirements:
1. Commit to seeking God EVERY DAY in Nov & Dec '09 in a way that is more radical than anything you have ever done before.
2. Read.think.pray.live your way through the Gospel of John in seven weeks (3 chapters each week) and then 1 John, 2 John, 3 John in the final week.
3. Listen to the Holy Spirit and obey whatever he says to do!!
4. Contribute your insights and experiences to this blog.
May we all continue to seek the Kingdom of God before anything else!
4 comments:
Ouch! Yes, how quick we are to contextualise the hard stuff and literalise the easy stuff. Following the red ink in the bible really does require death to yourself and this is something that I am just now experiencing after a long Christian walk through many brands and flavours of Church - actually it is only now that I am post Church that I am opening up in new ways.
Again our counter cultural king decides to ride into town and greet the great reception not on the finest steed with a gold chariot but a simple beast of burden.
The fickle people in their excitement lay down palm leaves but will soon yell for his blood, caught up in the mob mentality. Even the leaders who believed were quiet, in case they got put out of the synagogue - Lord help us!
But God speaks to his daughter and she sacrifices the equivalent of a years salary to anoint Jesus with perfume - further preparation and reminder of him impending sacrifice. And he would be able to smell that every minute until that time. Humility and yet extravagence.
This morning I ponder a few things after reading John 12:
* be open to giving extravagently to the King
* don't judge
* stand up for the King and don't care what others think or how they will react
* know that people will always be fickle and unreliable, but love and serve them anyway
* stay in the light; the darkness can't stand it
"For they loved human praise more than the praise of God." verse 43
May this not be true in our own lives!
I'm heading down south for an extended family bash this weekend and won't have internet contact so will look forward to joining you all again on Monday night...
Ortiz's book was one of the first I read when becoming a Christian 4 years ago ... it was/is invaluable :)
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