This morning I realized how privileged I was to have some modicum of appreciation for the contemplative; some small quantity of awareness of the reality of the Spirit. Respectfully, I seem to have more than just some inherited belief system with its typical trappings of ritual; much more than necessary for some simple boot strap living. I possess a real felt sense of presence in my life. Can I get a witness?
That is not something someone can just conjure up in one short lifetime; it is the gift of generations. As I age, the cumulative evidence of a Being superior to the challenges that we face as creatures on this small globe, continues to grow. That is worth sharing, even at the risk of sounding arrogant, especially given the day to day raw evidence of man’s constant but unfruitful struggle to manipulate his environment. The statistics are unfavorable physically, socially, economically and politically and yet the Presence is assuring, and all is under control.
This morning as I read from Matthew 26, I was struck by two verses in particular:
Matthew 28:61& 67: “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’”; “Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him.”
Perhaps, what moved me to write was the hope I find in these isolated and opposing comments. Imagine knowing that you had the power to control the systems of this world in the face of those exerting cruel force to demonstrate otherwise. On top of that, within the mantle of sincere love, seeing through hatred and working for the good at the same time.
These verses seem to bookend a religious reality. First, there is a God who is able to completely dismantle his own flesh, even controlling the powers that be, both religious and political; delivering upon His own death in a way that fulfills the numerous specifics found in the Old Testament, from Genesis to Malachi. Secondly, to see the tremendous hatred demonstrated among those who professed to be the most knowledgeable and righteous within their religious system.
People are strange birds!
Imagine living in a body that was destined to be ripped apart, desiccated on a cross, and then reconstructed miraculously as a demonstration of the power possessed by the being that lived within that body! While the body was cold and dormant, the true King of Creation was controlling the very place it would be laid, while actively righting Hell’s cruel plans, as He awaited the soon coming empowerment of the new Body of Christ, The true Church!
“I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days!”
That was God speaking about Himself, His own physical body, while the religious authorities mistakenly thought He was threatening their brick and mortar! Hello!
Another comment by the Master: “Even greater things than this shall you do in my Name!”
Selah!
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