John begins his book about Jesus in a way reminiscent of his own first encounter with the Master. He gives Him a new name; “the Word.”
In his day names conveyed important things about a person. Peter would, one day, be strong; a “Rock.” He, and his Brother James, would become powerful “thunderous” men. The “Word,” as a name, tells us much about Jesus. A word is a medium of communication. Some one has something to tell us. Words are revealing. There are things we don’t yet know that we will discover in the life and teaching, not to mention the actions, of this man. Words are powerful. They can destroy. They can build up. They encourage. They discourage. They can inspire and empower. Words teach us. And this man, Christ Jesus, is the greatest Teacher. John’s new name – “Word” – not only tells us these things about Jesus. It tells us much about our greatest needs and the ways in which the Master will be able to resolve our dilemma.
There’s something else about the way John begins this book about Jesus; something very serious. The first 6 words of the book are the literary equivalent of blasphemy. John is Jewish. The Sacred Writings of Judaism are foundational to their identity as a Nation. They prescribe what is distinctly Jewish. The “Torah,” begins with a book titled “Bereishith (Genesis) which means “in the beginning.” That book’s first words are, “In the beginning.” John knew that. So would all Jewish people who read his book. Those three words, alone, would most certainly get the attention of the Jewish reader. The First Reality for the people of Israel was Jehovah – “I am” – the Most High God who revealed Himself to Moses on the Holy Mountain. Would this “John – the Son of Thunder,” the proponent of a movement claiming to represent Messiah, acknowledge Jehovah’s Sovereignty and First Place in history? The Torah does. "In the beginning 'God'" it states. No! Brazenly John declares, “In the beginning was the Word.” With that he was, without question, indictable. He had committed the capital crime of making another person equal to God.
This is iconoclastic! In 6 words the “Son of thunder,” strides roughshod over the foundation of Jewish faith. He overwrites the primary words of their Scriptures. He dishonors the “Most High God” by removing His name and presence from His place “in the beginning.” He contradicts Moses their first and greatest Prophet traditionally believed to be the author of these words he appears to be desecrating. Boldly, to Jews throughout the Mediterranean World, he sets another “The Word,” in the place of God. His brazen words were scandalous to the Jews of his day and every era since he first penned them.
What does this mean to us? This. The man, Jesus, the Christ – “Son of Man” – “Son of God,” is “God.” In 6 words John tells us that this man he wants us to know is Divine. He, whom John insists will bring “Life” to people who “believe,” is God. He who is from the “beginning,” knows all things. He knows who we are in reality. Knowing your “true self,” and possessing the unlimited power of “God,” He can set you free to become that person. Through Him you can be, “vicariously,” the person you’re created to be – the “true self!”
Saturday, February 06, 2010
Tuesday, February 02, 2010
The Vicarious Self 2
I said, previously, that vicarious living can be “desirable.”
No one knows better how this can be so than John, one of Jesus’ first Followers. He and his Brother James were among the first group Jesus called to “follow” Him. He even gave them a new name. He called them “Sons of thunder.” He’d already given Peter a new name. He’d called him “the Rock.” In each instance the new name was prophetic. Peter really didn’t appear all that “rocklike” in the early days with Jesus. James and John were no more models of the strength of God which thunder symbolized either. But they became, once Christ came into their lives in the person of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, men of great courage and power.
John, wrote a book about Jesus. We have it today. It’s the fourth biography of Jesus in the New Testament. In that book we see how the vicarious involvement of Jesus in our personal lives can really be not only desirable but beneficial to our growth into the sort of person that reveals the nobility our Creator had in mind when He gave us life.
In the next to final chapter of his book John tells us why he wrote it and why he chose to be selective in the writing. “Jesus,” he writes, “did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” “Life,” is the reason John wrote his book about Jesus. 41 times in 21 chapters he specifically uses the word “life.”
Life, and particularly high quality life, is what we’re concerned about. The main theme of our conversation about the “Self,” is quality life. And John wrote his book to let humankind know that Jesus brings the highest quality of life to those who willingly welcome Him to live “vicariously” through them. He uses strong language in his writing. Vividly descriptive words and phrases like “everlasting,” “lavish,” "full,” “welling up ‘til it flows like a river in and through someone.” There’s no doubt that John passionately believes this vicarious life is desirable. He believes Christ brings to those who welcome Him the “best” quality of life. And he chose specific incidents out of the life of Jesus Himself to convince his readers that by “believing in Him they may have that life.”
“Believing” in Jesus is, for John, the critical link to this superlative life. Of course this is true of whatever life choices we make. We believe, at some level, that all of our choices will lead to what we’re hoping they will. But it’s especially important here because we’re choosing things recommended by someone else. He’s asking us to believe two things about this man who he says can give us superlative “life.”
“I’ve written these vignettes of Jesus life,” he says, “so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ.” “Christ,” is “the anointed,” “the ‘ONE'.” He is the “hope" of all humankind promised on the first Christmas Eve by an Angelic Messenger. The “Good News which will be to all people … the Savior who is Christ the Lord!” Knowing all of this is one thing. Believing it is another. Acting on our belief is the ultimate step; it is the choice to “turn our life over to the management of this man, Jesus, the ‘Lord.’” Do we believe to the point where we desire His way of life to become ours? It is only when we do that we begin to experience its quality. He is the “Son of Man.” He’s profoundly familiar with humanity. He knows where the mistakes have been made and how to redirect us. He, unlike any other person, knows the “way” to live superlatively. He’s done it. He’s the answer to our “hows.”
The second thing John is asking us to believe is that Jesus is the “Son of God.” This “hope” for all people is not only the consummate man. He shares the Divine nature! God has become man. Jesus is that Person. John is asking us to believe that the Creator is here. He’s asking us to believe that the Supreme Sovereign has lived among us. He’s telling us that the one we’re saving all our questions for has come and answered them in the living of His own life.
Think of this!
Like Simon, whom he gave the name “Peter” – the “Rock,” and James and John – “the Sons of Thunder,” He has high expectations for us. When, like them, we are filled with His Spirit; His Life, we will be changed. You, “Peter,” “Bonnie,” “Brad,” will begin to take on characteristics that are unmistakably Christlike. Those early Christ-followers became bold and openly talked about Jesus in public. They were arrested. The authorities knew they were “uneducated,” swashbucklin’ Fishermen. But there was something about them. They were different. Their Inquisitors could tell that Jesus had profoundly influenced them.
That’s the way it is with this “Vicarious Self.”
No one knows better how this can be so than John, one of Jesus’ first Followers. He and his Brother James were among the first group Jesus called to “follow” Him. He even gave them a new name. He called them “Sons of thunder.” He’d already given Peter a new name. He’d called him “the Rock.” In each instance the new name was prophetic. Peter really didn’t appear all that “rocklike” in the early days with Jesus. James and John were no more models of the strength of God which thunder symbolized either. But they became, once Christ came into their lives in the person of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, men of great courage and power.
John, wrote a book about Jesus. We have it today. It’s the fourth biography of Jesus in the New Testament. In that book we see how the vicarious involvement of Jesus in our personal lives can really be not only desirable but beneficial to our growth into the sort of person that reveals the nobility our Creator had in mind when He gave us life.
In the next to final chapter of his book John tells us why he wrote it and why he chose to be selective in the writing. “Jesus,” he writes, “did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” “Life,” is the reason John wrote his book about Jesus. 41 times in 21 chapters he specifically uses the word “life.”
Life, and particularly high quality life, is what we’re concerned about. The main theme of our conversation about the “Self,” is quality life. And John wrote his book to let humankind know that Jesus brings the highest quality of life to those who willingly welcome Him to live “vicariously” through them. He uses strong language in his writing. Vividly descriptive words and phrases like “everlasting,” “lavish,” "full,” “welling up ‘til it flows like a river in and through someone.” There’s no doubt that John passionately believes this vicarious life is desirable. He believes Christ brings to those who welcome Him the “best” quality of life. And he chose specific incidents out of the life of Jesus Himself to convince his readers that by “believing in Him they may have that life.”
“Believing” in Jesus is, for John, the critical link to this superlative life. Of course this is true of whatever life choices we make. We believe, at some level, that all of our choices will lead to what we’re hoping they will. But it’s especially important here because we’re choosing things recommended by someone else. He’s asking us to believe two things about this man who he says can give us superlative “life.”
“I’ve written these vignettes of Jesus life,” he says, “so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ.” “Christ,” is “the anointed,” “the ‘ONE'.” He is the “hope" of all humankind promised on the first Christmas Eve by an Angelic Messenger. The “Good News which will be to all people … the Savior who is Christ the Lord!” Knowing all of this is one thing. Believing it is another. Acting on our belief is the ultimate step; it is the choice to “turn our life over to the management of this man, Jesus, the ‘Lord.’” Do we believe to the point where we desire His way of life to become ours? It is only when we do that we begin to experience its quality. He is the “Son of Man.” He’s profoundly familiar with humanity. He knows where the mistakes have been made and how to redirect us. He, unlike any other person, knows the “way” to live superlatively. He’s done it. He’s the answer to our “hows.”
The second thing John is asking us to believe is that Jesus is the “Son of God.” This “hope” for all people is not only the consummate man. He shares the Divine nature! God has become man. Jesus is that Person. John is asking us to believe that the Creator is here. He’s asking us to believe that the Supreme Sovereign has lived among us. He’s telling us that the one we’re saving all our questions for has come and answered them in the living of His own life.
Think of this!
Like Simon, whom he gave the name “Peter” – the “Rock,” and James and John – “the Sons of Thunder,” He has high expectations for us. When, like them, we are filled with His Spirit; His Life, we will be changed. You, “Peter,” “Bonnie,” “Brad,” will begin to take on characteristics that are unmistakably Christlike. Those early Christ-followers became bold and openly talked about Jesus in public. They were arrested. The authorities knew they were “uneducated,” swashbucklin’ Fishermen. But there was something about them. They were different. Their Inquisitors could tell that Jesus had profoundly influenced them.
That’s the way it is with this “Vicarious Self.”
Sunday, January 31, 2010
The "Vicarious Self"
One of the opportunities I’ve been given since embarking on this venture we call destiny:Life! is to teach a group of Single Adults at Lake Avenue Church in Pasadena, California.
A routine we’ve established is to spend several Weeks each year talking about “Relationships.”
This year I’ve felt inclined to add a little different twist to the conversation. In Shirley’s and my Mentoring of Single and Married, or about to be married people we’ve observed an inevitably disappointing, and often destructive myth. It goes something like this. “If I could find someone who really loves me; who truly understands me; who meets my needs even before I ask, my life dreams would come true.” Hearing the various versions of this often reminds me of lines from a familiar Chicago tune.
Don’t think I’ve lost my sense of the romantic. I’m still hopelessly convinced that I’m a far better man with Shirley than I would be without her. She knows me far more completely than I do her. I’ve had more than one guy tell me I definitely “married up.” I very much “wanna have (her) near me.” But to depend on her for “meaning,” “inspiration,” the capacity to “feel” is a greater burden than she would want let alone have the strength to carry. Frankly, if someone has not developed to such an extent that they know who they are; why they are; how to feel deeply; and enjoy the small as well as great inspirations life can bring, they are no more likely to mature in an intimate relationship than they were outside of it. Healthy people make great partners. Unhealthy people often jeopardize the well-being of those to whom they attach themselves.
So, we’ve determined to spend several Sessions addressing the “Self.” Interestingly, our focus has been, in part, prompted by the very idea of someone else being the source of “meaning,” “inspiration,” and satisfying “feeling.” Finding our reality in someone else’s life experiences has a name. It is, in a word, “vicarious.” Oddly, we’re discovering that this is not always avoidable nor undesirable. In everyday life the role of a Mentor is vicarious. The caring part of Teaching is enhanced by an ability to enter into someone else’s reality until one truly understands the unique nuances of the other’s life and is able to walk with rather than ahead of the person they hope to guide. Counsel is far more enriching when it comes not only from an informed mind, but from a heart that has felt what is in the heart of the beloved.
Vicarious living is also desirable.
C.S. Lewis has profoundly influenced my life. I’ve never met him. He died when I was 17. His many books, lectures, radio addresses, essays, and letters had been written, heard, and read long before I knew of him. Still, this English, and Medieval Literature Professor from Oxford, England has been my Mentor. One of his essays, The Weight of Glory, has been especially influential. In this Essay he writes, “Next to the Blessed Sacrament itself, your neighbor is the holiest object presented to your senses. If he is your Christian neighbor, he is holy in almost the same way, for in him also Christ - the glorifier and the glorified, Glory Himself, is truly hidden.” Strong words indeed! Christ, Himself, hidden in His Followers as He is in the Bread and Wine of Holy Communion?! I’d be hesitant to say such a daring thing had I not read these words written by the prolific First Century Christian apologist, Paul of Tarsus. “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2: 20 New Living Translation) This same Paul, in a later letter, offered a prayer for all Christ-followers. “I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” (Ephesians 3: 16 – 19)
The reality of Christ Himself, His Spirit, very God is the hidden reality living, loving, energizing the Christ-follower in the deepest regions of their being. Their “Self” truly is a “Vicarious Self.”
A routine we’ve established is to spend several Weeks each year talking about “Relationships.”
This year I’ve felt inclined to add a little different twist to the conversation. In Shirley’s and my Mentoring of Single and Married, or about to be married people we’ve observed an inevitably disappointing, and often destructive myth. It goes something like this. “If I could find someone who really loves me; who truly understands me; who meets my needs even before I ask, my life dreams would come true.” Hearing the various versions of this often reminds me of lines from a familiar Chicago tune.
You're the meaning in my life
You're the inspiration
You bring feeling to my life
You're the inspiration
Wanna have you near me
I wanna have you hear me sayin'
No one needs you more than I need you.
Don’t think I’ve lost my sense of the romantic. I’m still hopelessly convinced that I’m a far better man with Shirley than I would be without her. She knows me far more completely than I do her. I’ve had more than one guy tell me I definitely “married up.” I very much “wanna have (her) near me.” But to depend on her for “meaning,” “inspiration,” the capacity to “feel” is a greater burden than she would want let alone have the strength to carry. Frankly, if someone has not developed to such an extent that they know who they are; why they are; how to feel deeply; and enjoy the small as well as great inspirations life can bring, they are no more likely to mature in an intimate relationship than they were outside of it. Healthy people make great partners. Unhealthy people often jeopardize the well-being of those to whom they attach themselves.
So, we’ve determined to spend several Sessions addressing the “Self.” Interestingly, our focus has been, in part, prompted by the very idea of someone else being the source of “meaning,” “inspiration,” and satisfying “feeling.” Finding our reality in someone else’s life experiences has a name. It is, in a word, “vicarious.” Oddly, we’re discovering that this is not always avoidable nor undesirable. In everyday life the role of a Mentor is vicarious. The caring part of Teaching is enhanced by an ability to enter into someone else’s reality until one truly understands the unique nuances of the other’s life and is able to walk with rather than ahead of the person they hope to guide. Counsel is far more enriching when it comes not only from an informed mind, but from a heart that has felt what is in the heart of the beloved.
Vicarious living is also desirable.
C.S. Lewis has profoundly influenced my life. I’ve never met him. He died when I was 17. His many books, lectures, radio addresses, essays, and letters had been written, heard, and read long before I knew of him. Still, this English, and Medieval Literature Professor from Oxford, England has been my Mentor. One of his essays, The Weight of Glory, has been especially influential. In this Essay he writes, “Next to the Blessed Sacrament itself, your neighbor is the holiest object presented to your senses. If he is your Christian neighbor, he is holy in almost the same way, for in him also Christ - the glorifier and the glorified, Glory Himself, is truly hidden.” Strong words indeed! Christ, Himself, hidden in His Followers as He is in the Bread and Wine of Holy Communion?! I’d be hesitant to say such a daring thing had I not read these words written by the prolific First Century Christian apologist, Paul of Tarsus. “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2: 20 New Living Translation) This same Paul, in a later letter, offered a prayer for all Christ-followers. “I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” (Ephesians 3: 16 – 19)
The reality of Christ Himself, His Spirit, very God is the hidden reality living, loving, energizing the Christ-follower in the deepest regions of their being. Their “Self” truly is a “Vicarious Self.”
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