The Gift-Giving-Gizmo

In John chapter 14 Jesus says to his disciples, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I don not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

The world gives under the constraints of a closed system. A system of scarcity in which there is only so much to go around; so much food, wealth, affluence, health, and power. As a result, the giving of this world has to be conditional.

You will receive these “gifts” if only the right conditions exist. Being born in the right place, going to the right schools, choosing the right line of work. The mechanism by which the world “gives” requires the proper investment and a little (or perhaps a lot) of luck.

Because this is the choice mechanism of “gift giving” in our world, in order to receive these gifts one must tirelessly pursue the “right avenues” in order to reap a benefit. In essence we become legalistic mechanics of the gift-giving-gizmo…making sure we’ve done everything possible so that we’ve postured ourselves to receive from the world. Maintaining the gift-giving-gizmo is tiring; maintaining the gift-giving-gizmo is, for all purposes, work.

That’s why we have phrases like, “There’s no such thing as a free lunch.” Very few things in this world are given benevolently; they are earned through exchange or proximity. And so in this world the notion of a true gift is rare. That’s why when we see something or experience something beautiful, creative, and prophetic we stop in awe. We realize we were just witnesses, recipients, of a gift.

So when Jesus says that he does not “give as the world gives”, he is standing against the so-called gifts of our day. For Jesus, “gift” has nothing to do with human manufacturing or human achievement. Instead it is through love poured out on the cross and brought to power in the resurrection that gift is truly defined.

When Jesus tells those who are thirst to come and drink (receive the gift) he then goes on to say that anyone who drinks will have “rivers of living water” flowing from them (Jn.7:38). The beauty in this gift is as we participate we ourselves begin to pour out this love-gift to others. This gift is meant to be shared.

It cannot be earned. It can not be cozied-up to. No corporation can commodify it, no military regime can grab it, and no religious order can bestow it. This love-gift is given out of an over-abundance…plenty to go around; no scarcity here…a true gift.

As you go about your day, don't wait for the gift-giving-gizmo of this world to do something remarkable. Instead, give generously of the love-gift that has been given to you.

God of Creation

That God created the world means that all material things reflect God’s glory and power. The incarnation cements this connection. Christ’s eternal and glorified new humanity means that human life is now enmeshed in the life of God. God’s story and the creation’s story come together in Christ, making things more than mere bits of matter, and opening our eyes tot their ultimate transfiguration. Creation, incarnation and the ultimate re-creation of the cosmos reveal a God for whom matter matters, and material things open our eyes to the One who is above and beyond all things.

Jesus Christ, God incarnate; God as matter, stuff, body, flesh and blood, has forever bridged the divide of creation and creature. In Christ’s incarnation, God now fully participates in the life of creation, and his creatures are represented before his throne with the ascended Lord. Christ is the primary and ultimate sacrament. By virtue of Christ’s taking on flesh, God is no longer a distant creator, but now, in Christ, "This is my Father’s world," and "he shines in all that’s fair." Christ, the sacrament of God made flesh, can again make the whole creation a sacramental place.

Leonard J. Vander Zee Christ, Baptism, and the Lord’s Supper

Luke Makes Jesus Walk On Water

Caption Needed

The Gospel (New Definitions pt. 2)

We've recently been discussing the need to better define words that we use without much thought within Christian sub-culture. In a recent post we asked the simple question: "What is Evangelism?" many would respond by saying that it is the proclamation of the Gospel..."the Good News".

While I would agree with this statement, it begs yet another question: What do we mean when we say: "Gospel"?

Is the Gospel reflected accurately enough when we say: "Jesus died on the cross for my sins so that I could be made right with God and go to Heaven when I die"?

What elements do we need to consider when trying to define what the Gospel is? How has our western culture influenced the way we view and understand the Gospel?

Evangelism (New Definitions pt. 1)

I was recently in Pittsburgh with with some other pastors to discuss how to help encourage "stuck churches" regain their missional focus and call.

Much of our conversation focused around this word: Evangelism. We discussed at length (and passionatley) just what we mean when we say "evangelism" and just exactly how one measures a church that is healthy in the area of evangelism.

While there were some differences between us pastors as we tried to define the word evangelism, our culture all the more has all kinds of thoughts and images when one hears, "Evangelism" or "Evangelistic" (in some ways Evangelism has become a dirty word as it conjures up images of people passing out tracts, holding picket signs, or even missionary imperialism).

So now I am curious...How do you define the word "Evangelism"? What does Evangelism look like? How does a church measure it's health in this area?

"Which Is the Greatest Law?"

I have read this passage over and over again. I am drawn to it. Not only is it beautifully simple, but it is the words of our Lord communicating the essence of following him. My familiarity with this passage makes it easy for me to miss the depth of what Jesus is communicating. Yet when I approach it in its original language it takes me outside of myself; to a place where I can't quickly read through it as if I "know it all".

Reading this passage in the original language places a distance between the Scriptures and myself. This is not a bad distance, but rather a distance that reminds me that I do not "own" the Scriptures. They are to be approached with humility and care...never for us to presuppose as if we have arrived, but to learn and remain pliable that we might be transformed through living out the greatest commandement of our Lord.