SLOPastor.com

If you don't get what I am trying to do here, you might be offended.  The goal here is to post something Jesus did not say, in order to emphasize something he did say.

I have rewritten Matthew 25.31-40, the first part of the parable of the sheep and the goats, to reveal how far we have gone astray in our christian verve.  We didn't mean to.  But sometimes our efforts to fulfill the Great Commission hinder rather than help. Read at your own risk!  

______

When Jesus comes back in all of his glory, sitting on his throne surrounded by the holy angels, there will be gathered before him the sheep and the goats, and Jesus will divide them -- the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

Then the King will say to the sheep on his right "come, inherit the kingdom prepared from the very beginning for you -- for you are blessed by my Father. 

"For I was hungry -- and you gave me a beautifully printed handbill. I was thirsty and you showed me how wrong I was and how you interpret the Bible better than the church down the street. I was a stranger, and you judged me and my lifestyle.

"I was naked and you mocked me and how I looked. I was sick and you showed me it was because of the bad foods I had eaten. I was in prison and you told me I probably deserved to be there and that sinners are unworthy."

Then the righteous will answer back: "Lord, when did we see you hungry and give you a handbill or thirsty and tell you what the Bible really meant?

"When did we see you as a stranger and judge your lifestyle? Or naked and gawked at your immodesty?

"When did we see you sick and highlighted the error of your dietary ways, or see you in prison and condemned you as second class?

And the King, Jesus, shall answer "I tell you, every time you tried to convert someone, deliver someone, judge someone -- inasmuch as you have done this to my children -- you have tried to convert, deliver, and judge me.

________

May your calling be sure, and your service done in His name.  Peace today as you follow Him.

The Bible says that we can love Jesus with confidence because he first loved us.  We as humans tend to fall into the trap that if you love me, then I'll love you and we are able to get into all kinds of hurt this way.  God's bigger, and Jesus loves you.  Max Lacado is quoted as saying - there is nothing you can do to make God love you more, and there is nothing you can do to make God love you less.

As great as Christmas is... it just is not the best part. Remember, Jesus wants all of you, all the time. Call it greedy if you like, but trust me, it is more a giving thing. Consider keeping the gift going all year long. 

Jesus talked a lot about money in his ministry, but he never asked for any.  He does not want to control your money as much as he does not want your money to control you. That's the thing, God can't do anything with your money he can't do already, he wants all of you - yep, every single part.  Now that is something he can work wonders with!

Funny how we are think we have to get so much in order before we come to Jesus.  But he is more of an "just as you are" kind of God.  In fact, he seems to strongly suggest that we put him first.  Not so much an arrogant kind of thing, rather more of a helpful kind of thing.