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Wailed our small grandson, explaining his reason for not wishing to attend his new “nursery” later that day.  We chose to pass on a debate about the concept, processes, and remedies for “boredom”.  We knew he was tired, unfamiliar with going somewhere three times a week whether he wants to or not, and that once he is there he barely remembers to say goodbye as mum, or we, leave him.  Boredom was not the issue. Change is.

“Jesus looked up at his disciples and said: ‘Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. ‘Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. ‘Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. ‘ Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice on that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets. ‘But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. ‘Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry. ‘Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep. ‘Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets.” Luke 6:20-26

Everything Jesus spoke was not universal.  It was in the context of an audience who did not like change.  An audience grounded in “religion and belief” not just as a Sunday (or Friday) thing, but as an all-day-every-day thing.  A “thing” that came with acceptance or rejection … with social standing or social outcast … with requirements for cleanliness we beat with one antibacterial wet-wipe … with food requirements we beat  with hygiene standards, refrigeration and food-handling laws.  Jesus was talking to a people who wailed … “Because I might get bored!” … as he rewrote their religion.  Change was their issue.

Change is our issue.

Who is blessed and who is woed.  Biblical language.  Real prophets and false prophets.  Religious language.  Kingdom of God.  Belief language.  Love.  Unconditional love.  Change language.

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He has me looking up at the cross again. Yesterday a thought of change – that all my teaching about the cross is wrong. Change language.

Today more language.

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As you look up at me – agony etched in every fibre of my being – breathing so restricted I am suffocating with every heave of my chest – naked for all to see – to mock – to jeer – to cry – to hope – to pray – to be with me … What do you see, Paul?

I used to see you dying to save me from my sins.  Except that seems so “twee” now, so “not the reason”.  But replacing that teaching with a new teaching … ?  Help … 

You are not my audience.  You were never my audience.  Your world and living is not the world I spoke into.  Your take on my “teaching” cannot – must not – be the “take” of the Dusty Peeps … You have no prophets – you have no clean or unclean – and as for “original sin” – that is a guilt trip of obligation.  Your living has no need of obligation – theirs neither.  That was their change – they were obligated – they were indebted – they resisted change because … when you are not obligated and not indebted … then your own motivation is all that is left.  What is your motivation, Paul?

Love.  Without condition, reason or rhyme.  Love is my motivation.

And are you laughed at?  Are you told love is not enough?  Are you told we must have rules?  Are you told that I demand you are “saved” … that you should “believe” in me as in the bible … that you must pray and go to church and tithe and volunteer … that if you really love me you will do all these things because that is “love in action” … that love is a verb … that love is an obligation and a way of repaying your debt … that you only “love” because you are saved … and because you are saved that I love you … ?

In different ways and using different language – pretty much all of that – yes.

Stay awhile Paul.  My agony is only of the outside.  Stay with me and discover the real  inside.  Let me change this … “cross business (and the resurrection – obviously)” … for you for ever.  Will you allow me … ?

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