Twisted Theology

We are so mixed up.  Jesus spent His earthly ministry meeting needs—spiritual (first, and foremost), and then natural—in that order. Jesus didn’t supply any luxuries, or lavish unnecessary things on those who came to Him. Clearly, He had the power to; remember when the taxes were due, and He told Peter to go fishing for the money. If He could do it then, certainly He could do it whenever He chose to—or maybe even have it grow on trees, literally--He could have insured that there would be no more beggars in Jerusalem, if they had faith, in Him. The point is, God can, but He doesn’t. That is not His goal or desire where we are concerned—that’s ours. 

We see Jesus in His earthly ministry healing those who desperately needed healing, raising the dead, feeding the 5000+, until they were filled, giving living water while meeting emotional needs at the same time that He healed sin-sickness, and casting out devils. It was all about need. When Jesus got finished meeting the need, we don’t read where He supplied anyone with the tangible desires of their heart—He offered them true Kingdom riches—spiritual treasure, only. I mean, He could have healed the blind man that had been a beggar and then set him up with an expansive palace, and 2000 camels, servants and some of those fishy shekels—but He didn’t. And, if anybody could have used some shekels to get back on his feet, I’m sure the beggar could—he had never seen anything, how would he know how to get started in life? Everybody was a farmer or a carpenter basically, and he had never seen a goat or a nail and a 2x4—so what was next for him? Yet, we only read that Jesus opened his eyes—and we read that he was satisfied, because he worshipped Jesus (John 9:38). Even with no temple to go to—he had been cast out, since he didn’t denounce Jesus as a false prophet, and no foreseeable income, he worshipped Jesus. He had an encounter with the King of Kings that was enough—he didn’t need or want anything else—he delighted in Him, and was full. He didn’t have any worries. I guess he felt as if he could live and survive on the glory of the miracle he had already received!

However, when we make Jesus the Object of our delight, we don’t have to worry about tomorrow—our needs will be met by our Jehovah-Jireh.  Jesus is our Provider. We focus on Him and His Kingdom, and He focuses on us, and our needs (Matthew 6).  It really is that simple. The woman at the well got it, and was satisfied with the Living Water—she didn’t ask for jewels, and He didn’t give her any. The woman caught in adultery understood, she was grateful for the rescue and found a new way of life—she didn’t ask for money, and He didn’t give her any, either. He lavished the spiritual gift upon them, but the natural is handled delicately—with kid gloves. 

God knows His children, so He supplies us with what we need, not with whatever our foolish heart’s desire. He wants our hearts to focus on Him and eternity and He knows that the more earthly treasure we obtain, the more tied to this earth we become—we get comfortable, and we shouldn’t; it’s not home. We forget what our mission in the earth is when we accumulate too much, too. See the rich farmer (Luke 12) who forgot his mission. He started building bigger barns when he accumulated so much that his first barns couldn’t hold his goods, any longer. He forgot his mission to give. It has happened to many of us, too. The more we have, the more satisfied we become with the little we throw in the offering plate on Sunday morning. True mercy, faith and judgment (Matthew 23:23) is more than a mere 10% + a little more. It requires a challenge and a sacrifice—it gives to others, instead of to self; not simply in addition to self.

Our theology and Jesus’ theology don’t look alike. His is not going to change—will ours change to align with His?

Grace and Calvary made ALL the difference.