"Master," I asked, "Will you free your people from the grasp of the Romans?"
"Noah, I am the Shepherd of God. I have come first to gather the lost sheep of Israel. I know each one by name and they know my voice. But the Seed will not always fall on good ground. Some will fall by the wayside, some on stony places, others among thorns. As for the Romans: Nations rise and fall but the Kingdom of God is forever."
Within myself I nodded in agreement with all Jesus said but I was so content my mind had shifted into neutral. Sheep? Seeds? Of course. I get it. But the importance of what he said floated right over my head and not into my heart.
When Jesus spoke, his words had the sound of the dawn for He is the "Sun of Righteousness who shall arise with healing in His wings." His words were as new as the next instant and older than the Universe. Even so, many would be unable to hear them over the cacophony of every day concerns and the search for pleasure. Or simply find them easy to ignore.
Resting in the palm of His hand I basked in a sense of peace and security I had never known before. I tried to snuggle deeper into a line of His palm and rubbed against something unexpected: a callous. What? ---A callous? This was not the soft hand of pampered royalty but of a working man. He did not get such hardened skin without experiencing drenching sweat and hard labor from the first light of day until he laid aside his tools at sunset. From the first I could tell by looking at Him that Jesus was of peasant stock but until I felt that callous it had not sunk into my tiny brain that Jesus actually had to work like a commoner.
After all, He is the Messiah. He should have been spared the aching muscles and bone tiredness of manual labor which was the lot of commoners, shouldn't He? Shouldn't he have had something finer than the coarse fabric of His clothes and the simple meals that were not always available and the bottom-of the-barrel wine that was within one short step of being vinegar? In the Great Scheme of Things what difference would it have made if His path been made smoother? It seemed to me he deserved much better treatment and if I had been in charge that's what He would've had. But I had to learn that 'the wisdom of God is foolishness to men.'
Jesus voice roused me from my thoughts. "You have to move, Noah. I will have enough trouble with people believing my message without them wondering why I'm carrying a fly in my hand."
"But Master," I protested. "It's so cozy here."
Jesus appeared thoughtful for a few moments and then spoke: "So like human reasoning: Find a comfortable place in spiritual life and stay there. Avoid criticism and embarrassment by living and expressing faith in Me only within the bounds of what is socially acceptable. Build a wall around that comfortable place to keep out anything, including the Holy Spirit, that might urge or cause change. The scribes and the Pharisees have not only built such walls for themselves but for others whom God has made them responsible. Will they welcome the Words of Life? Some will but most will not and then they will compound their sin by shielding their disciples from the Gift of God by denying me as the Christ. I tell you, 'Whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.'
Come, Noah. Climb into my beard. Burrow in and you will go wherever I go and be the first to hear me speak."
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Noah the Jewish Fly, Chapter 6
As I winged my way back into the Upper Room a more complete picture of Jesus was starting to come together in my mind. One big piece was missing but I felt the total picture was almost in my grasp. The hours that I and Al bar Levi had spent poring over the prophecies of Isaiah concerning the Messiah had borne fruit in abundance in my consciousness and spirit.
Bar Levi used the rabbi's usual teaching method of answering a question with a question. I confess I found it exasperating at times but also it made me think more deeply than I might have otherwise. He didn't leave me foundering when I had exhausted all my mental and spiritual resources. Instead, he would carefully, almost imperceptibly, nudge me in the right direction. Still, still, I had a few concerns that lingered until Jesus had me return to bar Levi.
As bar Levi and I studied the scriptures I wondered: Was Isaiah's description of the Suffering Servant intended to be a portrayal of Messiah? If so, it didn't line up at all with the traditional view of Messiah in the mold of David; a Warrior-King who would rid Israel of all its oppressors, rebuild the Temple and restore the nation to its former glory. For a while the two options bounced around in my head like pinballs.(*) Even though the latter view was certainly the most appealing I ultimately realized that its appeal was to the flesh; not the spirit. It was much later that I understood how accurate Isaiah's vision and prophecy proved to be. Also later, my eyes were opened to the realization that Jesus WAS before the earth was formed and in Genesis, God had set in motion His plan of salvation.
At the feast of the Passover, Jesus said the bread and wine represented his body and his blood which would be 'shed for many.' Who are 'the many?' Are they the righteous? Back to Isaiah; "And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all." The 'many' are all of us; everybody; no exceptions both now and in the future. The way I understood it, Jesus was going to allow himself to be sacrificed for the sins of everyone in the whole world. The logical question that follows is this: How can the death of one man, no matter how devoted to God; no matter how willing; how can that sacrifice possibly be sufficient to erase all sin in another person's life?
That question was burning in my mind when I flew into the Upper Room where Jesus was sitting alone. He extended his hand and I lined up on it for my landing approach. The instant I touched down on his palm I heard a Voice in my spirit; a majestic, quiet Voice, yet as forceful and awesome as stars colliding or mountains crumbling. I was so startled by the sound and substance of the message the Voice delivered, my landing gear collapsed. I did three forward rolls and ended on my back inside the sleeve of Jesus' robe.
"That was quite an entrance, Brother Noah," Jesus said.
I crawled out of his sleeve and onto Jesus' hand. "Master, I know who you are," I said, head bowed and with all the reverence within me.
"Really? Who am I?"
"You are the Christ; the Son of the Living God."
"You're blessed, Noah. You didn't pick this up on the street and you didn't reason it out. No mortal revealed it to you. It came to you directly from my Father who is in heaven. Simon bar Jonah has already been been blessed the same way. One day there will be thousands of thousands who will have made the same confession."
(*) Editor's note: Pinballs were not invented for another 1900 years. Please forgive error by elderly author.
Bar Levi used the rabbi's usual teaching method of answering a question with a question. I confess I found it exasperating at times but also it made me think more deeply than I might have otherwise. He didn't leave me foundering when I had exhausted all my mental and spiritual resources. Instead, he would carefully, almost imperceptibly, nudge me in the right direction. Still, still, I had a few concerns that lingered until Jesus had me return to bar Levi.
As bar Levi and I studied the scriptures I wondered: Was Isaiah's description of the Suffering Servant intended to be a portrayal of Messiah? If so, it didn't line up at all with the traditional view of Messiah in the mold of David; a Warrior-King who would rid Israel of all its oppressors, rebuild the Temple and restore the nation to its former glory. For a while the two options bounced around in my head like pinballs.(*) Even though the latter view was certainly the most appealing I ultimately realized that its appeal was to the flesh; not the spirit. It was much later that I understood how accurate Isaiah's vision and prophecy proved to be. Also later, my eyes were opened to the realization that Jesus WAS before the earth was formed and in Genesis, God had set in motion His plan of salvation.
At the feast of the Passover, Jesus said the bread and wine represented his body and his blood which would be 'shed for many.' Who are 'the many?' Are they the righteous? Back to Isaiah; "And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all." The 'many' are all of us; everybody; no exceptions both now and in the future. The way I understood it, Jesus was going to allow himself to be sacrificed for the sins of everyone in the whole world. The logical question that follows is this: How can the death of one man, no matter how devoted to God; no matter how willing; how can that sacrifice possibly be sufficient to erase all sin in another person's life?
That question was burning in my mind when I flew into the Upper Room where Jesus was sitting alone. He extended his hand and I lined up on it for my landing approach. The instant I touched down on his palm I heard a Voice in my spirit; a majestic, quiet Voice, yet as forceful and awesome as stars colliding or mountains crumbling. I was so startled by the sound and substance of the message the Voice delivered, my landing gear collapsed. I did three forward rolls and ended on my back inside the sleeve of Jesus' robe.
"That was quite an entrance, Brother Noah," Jesus said.
I crawled out of his sleeve and onto Jesus' hand. "Master, I know who you are," I said, head bowed and with all the reverence within me.
"Really? Who am I?"
"You are the Christ; the Son of the Living God."
"You're blessed, Noah. You didn't pick this up on the street and you didn't reason it out. No mortal revealed it to you. It came to you directly from my Father who is in heaven. Simon bar Jonah has already been been blessed the same way. One day there will be thousands of thousands who will have made the same confession."
(*) Editor's note: Pinballs were not invented for another 1900 years. Please forgive error by elderly author.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Noah the Jewish Fly Chapter 5
I wanted to dive into the cloud covering bar Levi but I felt immobilized and as though my six feet were firmly glued to the menorah. What was going on in there? My curiosity was pushing against its limits. Though I had never seen it before, the cloud was strongly familiar. Why? Think; think----. Wait; hadn't God manifested himself to the ancients as a pillar of cloud to lead them by day in the desert? Of course; you knew that, Noah. But, old boy, you can't be faulted for being confused. After all, how often have you been in the presence of God before? Well, everyday, sort of, as a matter of fact. Yes, that's true but------. Stop! Quit arguing with yourself before your brain turns to porridge. Maybe if you'd noticed bar Levi's slippers were out from under the cloud you wouldn't have become so befuddled.
"Tell me, son of Levi, do the rich, the powerful and the leaders of my people treat them well? Do they have compassion for the weak, the sick, the elderly, the poor, the children and those on the fringes of society?
"You know, Lord."
"I am quite aware of what I know. I'm asking for your observations."
"My observations lead me to say there is little or no compassion forthcoming from those in control. They desire recognition in the marketplace and the Temple and hearing their name praised is precious to their ears. How they love being pointed out on the streets as someone of importance. They expect the highest seats at feast tables and they never tire of seeking after this world's goods."
"Just as I have noticed. Do you think I may require too much from my children?"
"No, Lord," bar Levi replied. "Your prophet Micah said, 'He has shown you, O man, what is good: And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God?' If we do these things we keep the covenant and the Law."
"Yet," the Lord said with a sigh, "Israel has apparently found that doing these three things consistently is much too difficult for them. To do them requires change and personal sacrifice. This they are not willing to do. In the first place it requires an admission that they need to change. They would be insulted at the suggestion that anything in their lives is wrong. They would say they 'are children of Abraham' as though that entitled them to do as they pleased.
They have not heeded my prophets. Time after time Israel has called out to me in their distress. When I answered and delivered them they promised to obey Me but instead they soon drifted off into idol worship and concerns for their own affairs."
"But," bar Levi said. "When Messiah comes all that will change for the better. They will finally become the people who will be worthy of you. The people will welcome Messiah with praise and adoration. Love, peace and compassion will abound throughout the world. Each person, to the farthest edges of society, will have significance in the eyes of his neighbor because they will know they are all equal in the sight of God and are all loved equally by You."
For several minutes, but what seemed an hour to bar Levi, there was no response to his glowing forecast. He felt his enthusiasm slowly fading as a sense of foreboding took its place. It was not to be. Then the Lord spoke
"You are to say no more to your colleagues or to Noah about Jesus," the Lord said. "Jesus will declare himself in due time. Eventually, Noah will play his part; minor and seemingly insignificant though it will be. In the meantime, though he has memorized the Scriptures, guide him in depth through the writings of Moses and the other prophets. Do not force-feed him. Let him arrive at his own conclusions.
Until just before Noah's death, he has been loaned a mind, will and emotions. In other words: a soul. Now he has a voice and, generally, those of his kind who have heard him speak, want nothing to do with him. He is different and other flies, without understanding, become frightened, angered or threatened by his strange utterances. The majority are indifferent, they ignore him and go about their lives as usual. Noah is not defeated in his loneliness and rejection. He soon realized where his abilities came from and submitted himself to Me and dedicated himself to learning My ways. I am more pleased with that than all burnt offerings and the works of ten thousand who cry 'Lord, Lord,' but who have yet to seek and abide in My ways. Nurture Noah. One year from now I want him to be studying the Messiah prophecies of Isaiah."
"I hear and will obey, Lord," bar Levi said.
From my perch on the menorah I saw the cloud suddenly evaporate. Al bar Levi stood, his back to me, head lowered. After a moment or two he raised his head, slid his feet back into his slippers and turned toward me. I was not prepared for the sight of the golden glow covering his face and his brilliantly shining eyes. I almost lost my grip on the candelabra.
"Noah," bar Levi said in a voice saturated with awe. "I've been in the very presence of God."
Overcome by bar Levi's appearance and the powerful holy aura still in the room I blurted out: "What did He look like?"
"I only heard His voice. Otherwise I would be stretched out dead on the floor."
"How foolish of me," I said sheepishly. "I knew that." I felt like kicking myself with all six of my legs. "Can you share anything He said?"
"Yes. You are to diligently study the scriptures with my guidance Together, we shall extract the full meaning of God's words."
"I'm ready."
"In all fairness you should know that, when the time comes, you will be bereft of your extraordinary
abilities. You will die as an ordinary fly," bar Levi said, a hint of sadness in his voice.
"I am not the least bit dissuaded," I replied. "Nor do I have any regrets. I understand who I am in God. He knows me by name and He cares about me individually. What more could I ask from the gift of life He has given me? I rejoice in the certainty that I am part of God's plan."
"Noah; you have more wisdom in your tiny body than in most of Israel," bar Levi said quietly.
"Tell me, son of Levi, do the rich, the powerful and the leaders of my people treat them well? Do they have compassion for the weak, the sick, the elderly, the poor, the children and those on the fringes of society?
"You know, Lord."
"I am quite aware of what I know. I'm asking for your observations."
"My observations lead me to say there is little or no compassion forthcoming from those in control. They desire recognition in the marketplace and the Temple and hearing their name praised is precious to their ears. How they love being pointed out on the streets as someone of importance. They expect the highest seats at feast tables and they never tire of seeking after this world's goods."
"Just as I have noticed. Do you think I may require too much from my children?"
"No, Lord," bar Levi replied. "Your prophet Micah said, 'He has shown you, O man, what is good: And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God?' If we do these things we keep the covenant and the Law."
"Yet," the Lord said with a sigh, "Israel has apparently found that doing these three things consistently is much too difficult for them. To do them requires change and personal sacrifice. This they are not willing to do. In the first place it requires an admission that they need to change. They would be insulted at the suggestion that anything in their lives is wrong. They would say they 'are children of Abraham' as though that entitled them to do as they pleased.
They have not heeded my prophets. Time after time Israel has called out to me in their distress. When I answered and delivered them they promised to obey Me but instead they soon drifted off into idol worship and concerns for their own affairs."
"But," bar Levi said. "When Messiah comes all that will change for the better. They will finally become the people who will be worthy of you. The people will welcome Messiah with praise and adoration. Love, peace and compassion will abound throughout the world. Each person, to the farthest edges of society, will have significance in the eyes of his neighbor because they will know they are all equal in the sight of God and are all loved equally by You."
For several minutes, but what seemed an hour to bar Levi, there was no response to his glowing forecast. He felt his enthusiasm slowly fading as a sense of foreboding took its place. It was not to be. Then the Lord spoke
"You are to say no more to your colleagues or to Noah about Jesus," the Lord said. "Jesus will declare himself in due time. Eventually, Noah will play his part; minor and seemingly insignificant though it will be. In the meantime, though he has memorized the Scriptures, guide him in depth through the writings of Moses and the other prophets. Do not force-feed him. Let him arrive at his own conclusions.
Until just before Noah's death, he has been loaned a mind, will and emotions. In other words: a soul. Now he has a voice and, generally, those of his kind who have heard him speak, want nothing to do with him. He is different and other flies, without understanding, become frightened, angered or threatened by his strange utterances. The majority are indifferent, they ignore him and go about their lives as usual. Noah is not defeated in his loneliness and rejection. He soon realized where his abilities came from and submitted himself to Me and dedicated himself to learning My ways. I am more pleased with that than all burnt offerings and the works of ten thousand who cry 'Lord, Lord,' but who have yet to seek and abide in My ways. Nurture Noah. One year from now I want him to be studying the Messiah prophecies of Isaiah."
"I hear and will obey, Lord," bar Levi said.
From my perch on the menorah I saw the cloud suddenly evaporate. Al bar Levi stood, his back to me, head lowered. After a moment or two he raised his head, slid his feet back into his slippers and turned toward me. I was not prepared for the sight of the golden glow covering his face and his brilliantly shining eyes. I almost lost my grip on the candelabra.
"Noah," bar Levi said in a voice saturated with awe. "I've been in the very presence of God."
Overcome by bar Levi's appearance and the powerful holy aura still in the room I blurted out: "What did He look like?"
"I only heard His voice. Otherwise I would be stretched out dead on the floor."
"How foolish of me," I said sheepishly. "I knew that." I felt like kicking myself with all six of my legs. "Can you share anything He said?"
"Yes. You are to diligently study the scriptures with my guidance Together, we shall extract the full meaning of God's words."
"I'm ready."
"In all fairness you should know that, when the time comes, you will be bereft of your extraordinary
abilities. You will die as an ordinary fly," bar Levi said, a hint of sadness in his voice.
"I am not the least bit dissuaded," I replied. "Nor do I have any regrets. I understand who I am in God. He knows me by name and He cares about me individually. What more could I ask from the gift of life He has given me? I rejoice in the certainty that I am part of God's plan."
"Noah; you have more wisdom in your tiny body than in most of Israel," bar Levi said quietly.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Noah, the Jewish Fly Chapter 4
As Al bar Levi approached I could tell by his grin he had spotted the two Pharisees scurrying in the opposite direction. I hitched a ride on top of his turban for what turned out to be a two block journey to his house. The Pharisees had said enough for me to know that bar Levi was very likely the one I was looking for. Or, has God picked him out? Hm. That's kind of presumptuous. Why would God take even the least notice of me?
At his house we passed through a gated wall into a courtyard cooled by a fountain and shaded by two palm trees. Inside, a male servant met us in the entry, removed bar Levi's sandals and washed his feet, dried them and put house slippers on his master. That looked like it would be refreshing for my six feet also but I wouldn't have survived even the gentle scrubbing. We moved on into the study where the rabbi placed the two scrolls, he had carried from the Temple, on a large table and his coin bag in a cabinet. He selected, and ate, a few dates from a brass plate presented by a female servant. The dates looked delicious and I was sorely tempted to get a nibble but summoned enough will power to resist. Maybe later. After the servant retired and the rabbi was seated I hopped over to the top of a nearby empty seven-branched candle holder. I took a deep breath and thought,"Well; I guess this is as good a time as any to introduce myself.."
"Al bar Levi," I said softly, my voice quivering.
Bar Levi slid from his chair and knelt with his palms and forehead on the floor. "Here I am, Lord," he said.
"Uh,---It's not the Lord, Rabbi," I replied. "It's me, Noah."
"Noah?" Bar Levi raised himself to a sitting position, still on his knees. "Where are you?"
"Over here; on the top branch of the menorah."
"I can't see you. Are you a spirit?"
"No, I'm not a spirit. I'm a --uh--fly."
Using the table top for support, bar Levi pulled himself up to his feet. He smoothed his robe and took two steps closer to the source of the voice he had heard. Leaning forward he squinted at the candle holder.
"Well so you are," he chuckled. "You had me going there, Noah."
"You don't seem at all surprised that a fly can talk."
"Is anything too hard for God?"
"Well no; of course not. But why do you think God is involved in this meeting?"
"Surely you remember the story of Balaam's donkey speaking to Balaam," the rabbi said.
"I do," I responded. "I'm also reminded that Balaam wasn't surprised to hear his animal talking."
"God opened Balaam's eyes so he could understand why the donkey spoke to him."
"Do you think God will open your eyes? And/or mine?" I asked,
At that moment I heard a sound like distant thunder; a compelling sound unlike anything I had ever experienced. From bar Levi's stricken expression it was evident he knew the sound was not due to an approaching storm. A cloud enveloped the rabbi and he immediately fell to his knees again in his former pose. From then on until the thunder ceased and the cloud dissipated, I didn't speak nor did Iunderstand any thing that transpired between the intermittent thunder and bar Levi, now hidden within the cloud.
"Arise, Al bar Levi. I already know you are my devoted servant. You don't need to demonstrate. Besides you're getting too old for that up and down business." The voice was calm and gentle.
"Lord, I am not worthy that you should come to me," the rabbi mumbled.
"Do I need an invitation to come to you?"
"Oh, no. Heaven forbid----I mean,------goodness gracious I don't know what I mean."
"Calm down, son of Levi. I merely want to discuss Noah the fly with you. Why do you think I have visited you?"
"You know, Lord."
"Yes, I know. Since you have not had time to get acquainted with Noah, I should like to point out some of his attributes and characteristics that I find very pleasing; more pleasing than all burnt offerings. I also have some instructions for you."
Chapter 5 in the next blog. What do you suppose God would find pleasing about Noah?
******************************************************************
Now, a completely different but spiritually related matter:
I recently had open heart surgery; quite unexpected since there was no heart attack and symptoms were mild. So mild in fact that I, like most men, would have dismissed them. But not my faithful wife. Off to the family doc and then to the cardiologist. Multiple tests, poking and prodding. Serious deterioration of aortic valve. Go to Houston for conference with noted heart surgeon. Valve must be replaced. We left his office at 5:00 pm, I was in a hospital room by 7:00 pm and wheeled into operating room around 7:00 am the next morning. I told the surgeon I had changed my mind and wanted a tummy tuck instead. He had great sense of humor. Three days in Intensive Critical Care Unit, then back to hospital room. All was well.
Two cows were talking about a steer who had recently been placed in the corral with them.
Bessie said to Lucy, "He's such a bore. All he wants to talk about is his operation."
My operation is just the setting for the point of this story. This is the point: From the moment it was apparent an operation was necessary I did not have one nano-second of fear, anxiety, worry or concern about the proceeding or the outcome. Why? Because I had perfect peace in Jesus Christ.
This was not a case of my bravery or "manning up" or a show courage. The peace had nothing whatever to do with my personal resources. Instead I was totally assured by the scripture: "To live is Christ; to die is more of Christ." I was in a win-win situation; I couldn't possibly lose.
I am no spiritual giant and God is no respecter of persons to single me out. I only know that Christ is exactly who he says he is. He has proven that over and over in my life and the lives of others.
John 14:27
John 14:21
At his house we passed through a gated wall into a courtyard cooled by a fountain and shaded by two palm trees. Inside, a male servant met us in the entry, removed bar Levi's sandals and washed his feet, dried them and put house slippers on his master. That looked like it would be refreshing for my six feet also but I wouldn't have survived even the gentle scrubbing. We moved on into the study where the rabbi placed the two scrolls, he had carried from the Temple, on a large table and his coin bag in a cabinet. He selected, and ate, a few dates from a brass plate presented by a female servant. The dates looked delicious and I was sorely tempted to get a nibble but summoned enough will power to resist. Maybe later. After the servant retired and the rabbi was seated I hopped over to the top of a nearby empty seven-branched candle holder. I took a deep breath and thought,"Well; I guess this is as good a time as any to introduce myself.."
"Al bar Levi," I said softly, my voice quivering.
Bar Levi slid from his chair and knelt with his palms and forehead on the floor. "Here I am, Lord," he said.
"Uh,---It's not the Lord, Rabbi," I replied. "It's me, Noah."
"Noah?" Bar Levi raised himself to a sitting position, still on his knees. "Where are you?"
"Over here; on the top branch of the menorah."
"I can't see you. Are you a spirit?"
"No, I'm not a spirit. I'm a --uh--fly."
Using the table top for support, bar Levi pulled himself up to his feet. He smoothed his robe and took two steps closer to the source of the voice he had heard. Leaning forward he squinted at the candle holder.
"Well so you are," he chuckled. "You had me going there, Noah."
"You don't seem at all surprised that a fly can talk."
"Is anything too hard for God?"
"Well no; of course not. But why do you think God is involved in this meeting?"
"Surely you remember the story of Balaam's donkey speaking to Balaam," the rabbi said.
"I do," I responded. "I'm also reminded that Balaam wasn't surprised to hear his animal talking."
"God opened Balaam's eyes so he could understand why the donkey spoke to him."
"Do you think God will open your eyes? And/or mine?" I asked,
At that moment I heard a sound like distant thunder; a compelling sound unlike anything I had ever experienced. From bar Levi's stricken expression it was evident he knew the sound was not due to an approaching storm. A cloud enveloped the rabbi and he immediately fell to his knees again in his former pose. From then on until the thunder ceased and the cloud dissipated, I didn't speak nor did Iunderstand any thing that transpired between the intermittent thunder and bar Levi, now hidden within the cloud.
"Arise, Al bar Levi. I already know you are my devoted servant. You don't need to demonstrate. Besides you're getting too old for that up and down business." The voice was calm and gentle.
"Lord, I am not worthy that you should come to me," the rabbi mumbled.
"Do I need an invitation to come to you?"
"Oh, no. Heaven forbid----I mean,------goodness gracious I don't know what I mean."
"Calm down, son of Levi. I merely want to discuss Noah the fly with you. Why do you think I have visited you?"
"You know, Lord."
"Yes, I know. Since you have not had time to get acquainted with Noah, I should like to point out some of his attributes and characteristics that I find very pleasing; more pleasing than all burnt offerings. I also have some instructions for you."
Chapter 5 in the next blog. What do you suppose God would find pleasing about Noah?
******************************************************************
Now, a completely different but spiritually related matter:
I recently had open heart surgery; quite unexpected since there was no heart attack and symptoms were mild. So mild in fact that I, like most men, would have dismissed them. But not my faithful wife. Off to the family doc and then to the cardiologist. Multiple tests, poking and prodding. Serious deterioration of aortic valve. Go to Houston for conference with noted heart surgeon. Valve must be replaced. We left his office at 5:00 pm, I was in a hospital room by 7:00 pm and wheeled into operating room around 7:00 am the next morning. I told the surgeon I had changed my mind and wanted a tummy tuck instead. He had great sense of humor. Three days in Intensive Critical Care Unit, then back to hospital room. All was well.
Two cows were talking about a steer who had recently been placed in the corral with them.
Bessie said to Lucy, "He's such a bore. All he wants to talk about is his operation."
My operation is just the setting for the point of this story. This is the point: From the moment it was apparent an operation was necessary I did not have one nano-second of fear, anxiety, worry or concern about the proceeding or the outcome. Why? Because I had perfect peace in Jesus Christ.
This was not a case of my bravery or "manning up" or a show courage. The peace had nothing whatever to do with my personal resources. Instead I was totally assured by the scripture: "To live is Christ; to die is more of Christ." I was in a win-win situation; I couldn't possibly lose.
I am no spiritual giant and God is no respecter of persons to single me out. I only know that Christ is exactly who he says he is. He has proven that over and over in my life and the lives of others.
John 14:27
John 14:21
Monday, June 20, 2011
It took twice as long for me to return to the inn because I couldn't seem to fly in a straight line. My navigation system had become distorted by the extraordinary news I got from Rabbi Al bar Levi. After bouncing off a building wall my brain was jolted back on track and I began to try to sort out events up to now.
About a year ago I felt compelled to get deeper into the scriptures and to find a rabbi/teacher to help me in my search for spiritual meaning and to reinvest the ancient scriptures with the joy, promise and hope God intended. I hate to admit it but my faith had become sterile; a matter of form and following the rules that the priests had heaped over and above the Ten Commandments. In addition to the common folk's everyday struggle just to survive they also had to obey psuedo-commandments governing the smallest details of their lives. The religious hierarchy obeyed the laws if they found it convenient to do so.and if a show of obedience promoted their public image of righteousness.
Of course there were, and are, truly devout and sincere religious leaders who do their best to be trustworthy shepherds of an often confused flock waiting to be led to the truth. But sadly, most of the so-called 'leaders' are in business for themselves and a very profitable business it is. The money- changers who make a profit on exchanging Temple coins for unacceptable Roman money are required to pay a fee to the priests. It's sort of a franchise. Only Temple money can be used for paying Temple tax, tithes, and special gifts.
Worshippers bringing animals for sacrifice must bring only those "without spot or blemish." Such sacrifices were later recognized as a symbol of the ultimate sacrifice of the Messiah who was without spot or blemish. Not surprisingly the priests reject the animals, brought by the worshippers, as being blemished or spotted no matter what their condition. In order to offer a 'proper' sacrifice, the worshipper has to buy, at an exorbitant price, an approved animal from the priests. What a racket.
When religion becomes institutionalized, perpetuating the institution and the leadership become the only reasons for its being. Blasphemy and worldly reasoning are acceptable if that will protect the institution and thus the leaders' bird nest on the ground.. No wonder Jesus lost his cool and took a whip to the money changers. They're fortunate He didn't send them to their reward immediately.
What with the rattling of coins and the all the animal noises it was hard for me to hear in this place where only praises and and the voice of God should prevail. But, I didn't really know what I was looking or listening for in my search for a mentor so the noise wasn't much of a bother.
I noticed two elegantly dressed Pharisees gossiping through their perfumed beards ( their mouths were moving; a sure sign that they were gossiping. ) They seemed to have positioned themselves beside a building column as though to be remote from the peasantry. I flew onto the turban of one of the men in time to hear him say the name "Al bar Levi."
"I'd heard Al bar Levi was in line for a seat on the Great Sanhedrin," said Amos. "That was until a rumor started that he thinks the Messiah has already come and is in our midst at this very moment in the person of Jesus. If the rumor is true, it would ruin any chance he might have had.about the possibility of being on the Sanhedrin."
"How foolish," Abijah, his companion responded. "Even if he really believed that nonsense he should have kept quiet about it. Once on the Sanhedrin he would have been set for life."
"Remember not to say anything about this to anyone," Amos said in a low voice. This is just a rumor, you understand. Personally I like bar Levi. There's something charming about his eccentricity but I just don't think he's fit for the Great Sanhedrin. Obviously. he is completely wrong about the Messiah since this Jesus fellow is from Nazareth. Why,---- everyone knows nothing good ever came from Nazareth. Besides, the scriptures are very clear that Bethlehem will be the birthplace of the Messiah."
"You're right as usual, Amos," Abijah said. " Well, I must be going, I am to continue instructing a class of converts this afternoon." He sighed. "Gentiles are so stupid. One of them actually asked if his conversion will impact his spiritual life in some way. I set him straight right then. I told him to follow the rules, do as he was told and he would eventually become as spiritual as me."
"Well done old friend," Amos said. "By the way you must tell me where you got that beautiful turban. Say,---isn't that Al bar Levi over there?"
"Where?"
"Over there by the Laver; talking to a priest."
"Yes it is. Oh no; ---I think he's seen us," Abijah said in a panicky voice. He tugged on his friend's arm. "Come on; we can't afford to be seen talking to him." They pulled up the fringed hems of their fancy robes and scurried off to escape Al bar Levi.
Left in their wake I detected an unexpected but familiar odor. The odor of Death.
About a year ago I felt compelled to get deeper into the scriptures and to find a rabbi/teacher to help me in my search for spiritual meaning and to reinvest the ancient scriptures with the joy, promise and hope God intended. I hate to admit it but my faith had become sterile; a matter of form and following the rules that the priests had heaped over and above the Ten Commandments. In addition to the common folk's everyday struggle just to survive they also had to obey psuedo-commandments governing the smallest details of their lives. The religious hierarchy obeyed the laws if they found it convenient to do so.and if a show of obedience promoted their public image of righteousness.
Of course there were, and are, truly devout and sincere religious leaders who do their best to be trustworthy shepherds of an often confused flock waiting to be led to the truth. But sadly, most of the so-called 'leaders' are in business for themselves and a very profitable business it is. The money- changers who make a profit on exchanging Temple coins for unacceptable Roman money are required to pay a fee to the priests. It's sort of a franchise. Only Temple money can be used for paying Temple tax, tithes, and special gifts.
Worshippers bringing animals for sacrifice must bring only those "without spot or blemish." Such sacrifices were later recognized as a symbol of the ultimate sacrifice of the Messiah who was without spot or blemish. Not surprisingly the priests reject the animals, brought by the worshippers, as being blemished or spotted no matter what their condition. In order to offer a 'proper' sacrifice, the worshipper has to buy, at an exorbitant price, an approved animal from the priests. What a racket.
When religion becomes institutionalized, perpetuating the institution and the leadership become the only reasons for its being. Blasphemy and worldly reasoning are acceptable if that will protect the institution and thus the leaders' bird nest on the ground.. No wonder Jesus lost his cool and took a whip to the money changers. They're fortunate He didn't send them to their reward immediately.
What with the rattling of coins and the all the animal noises it was hard for me to hear in this place where only praises and and the voice of God should prevail. But, I didn't really know what I was looking or listening for in my search for a mentor so the noise wasn't much of a bother.
I noticed two elegantly dressed Pharisees gossiping through their perfumed beards ( their mouths were moving; a sure sign that they were gossiping. ) They seemed to have positioned themselves beside a building column as though to be remote from the peasantry. I flew onto the turban of one of the men in time to hear him say the name "Al bar Levi."
"I'd heard Al bar Levi was in line for a seat on the Great Sanhedrin," said Amos. "That was until a rumor started that he thinks the Messiah has already come and is in our midst at this very moment in the person of Jesus. If the rumor is true, it would ruin any chance he might have had.about the possibility of being on the Sanhedrin."
"How foolish," Abijah, his companion responded. "Even if he really believed that nonsense he should have kept quiet about it. Once on the Sanhedrin he would have been set for life."
"Remember not to say anything about this to anyone," Amos said in a low voice. This is just a rumor, you understand. Personally I like bar Levi. There's something charming about his eccentricity but I just don't think he's fit for the Great Sanhedrin. Obviously. he is completely wrong about the Messiah since this Jesus fellow is from Nazareth. Why,---- everyone knows nothing good ever came from Nazareth. Besides, the scriptures are very clear that Bethlehem will be the birthplace of the Messiah."
"You're right as usual, Amos," Abijah said. " Well, I must be going, I am to continue instructing a class of converts this afternoon." He sighed. "Gentiles are so stupid. One of them actually asked if his conversion will impact his spiritual life in some way. I set him straight right then. I told him to follow the rules, do as he was told and he would eventually become as spiritual as me."
"Well done old friend," Amos said. "By the way you must tell me where you got that beautiful turban. Say,---isn't that Al bar Levi over there?"
"Where?"
"Over there by the Laver; talking to a priest."
"Yes it is. Oh no; ---I think he's seen us," Abijah said in a panicky voice. He tugged on his friend's arm. "Come on; we can't afford to be seen talking to him." They pulled up the fringed hems of their fancy robes and scurried off to escape Al bar Levi.
Left in their wake I detected an unexpected but familiar odor. The odor of Death.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
I could tell I was not the only one in the room who was unsure of what Jesus was talking about. The twelve men present also appeared puzzled by his remarks and they conversed with each other in low tones, gesturing for emphasis. My own questions bubbled out into my consciousness almost faster then I could consider them. Was Jesus setting himself up as leader of a revolution against the Romans and these men were the nucleus of his army? No insult intended but although he had a definite air of authority about him, this gentle little guy hardly looked the military type. Besides, according to the rumors I'd heard the conflict was between Jesus and the Jewish power structure; not the Romans. So; maybe Jesus intended to lead a popular uprising to get rid of the Jewish rulers and install a new, Godly and spiritually pure priestly class. Lordy; there certainly was need for change. The Pharisees utterly despised the peasants and didn't hesitate to take away their property in the courts or steal it outright. Together with wealthy landowners and the religious leaders,the Pharisees--snakes dressed in robes of gold threads-- preyed on widows, orphans and the desperately poor, without mercy. And they had the nerve to say flies are nasty
I hopped up on the cushion close to Jesus to listen in on the conversation he was having with the fellow next to him. (Jesus call him John.) Jesus looked down at me and stopped in mid-sentence. His brown eyes were so soft I felt I could float in them. He smiled and gently picked me up by the wings. "Greetings, Brother Noah," he said. "Make haste; visit Al bar Levi and then return quickly." He let go of me and my wings revved up, lifting me toward an open window, my mind whirling as fast as my wings were beating. How did Jesus know my name? And how did he know that Rabbi Al bar Levi and I were friends? This was getting more and more exciting and mystifying. But why was I being sent to visit my rabbi? I didn't want to leave. The action was here in the upper room and I was afraid I would miss something important. But I had felt the touch of Jesus and the irresistible persuasion of his words moved me to do as he said.
I was in Rabbi Al bar Levi's study in just a few minutes. "Master," I said, a little out of breath, "I have been celebrating the Passover with a group of men at an inn a few blocks from here. The leader of the group, a man named Jesus, told me to come see you and then return quickly."
Bar Levi looked up from the scroll of Isaiah spread before him. "Jesus, you say?" Bar Levi stroked his beard and appeared thoughtful. "Why did he send you to me?"
"I--I don't have the foggiest," I stuttered.
"I believe I do," bar Levi said, still fingering his beard.
"Is he a rabbi?"
"The Rabbi of rabbis."
"A prophet?"
"The Prophet of all prophets. But neither of these is the purpose of his being."
"What, then?"
Bar Levi placed his hand on the scroll. "It's all right here. Isaiah gives you a complete description of Jesus the Messiah. Everything but his name."
The rabbi's words reverberated and crashed like thunder in my brain. "The Messiah? That unimposing little man?"
"That unimposing little man and his twelve companions are about to turn the world upside down. Now; up with you. Fly, Noah, fly. Return and see the unveiling of what was prepared before the world began."
More of Noah's adventure in the next blog.
I hopped up on the cushion close to Jesus to listen in on the conversation he was having with the fellow next to him. (Jesus call him John.) Jesus looked down at me and stopped in mid-sentence. His brown eyes were so soft I felt I could float in them. He smiled and gently picked me up by the wings. "Greetings, Brother Noah," he said. "Make haste; visit Al bar Levi and then return quickly." He let go of me and my wings revved up, lifting me toward an open window, my mind whirling as fast as my wings were beating. How did Jesus know my name? And how did he know that Rabbi Al bar Levi and I were friends? This was getting more and more exciting and mystifying. But why was I being sent to visit my rabbi? I didn't want to leave. The action was here in the upper room and I was afraid I would miss something important. But I had felt the touch of Jesus and the irresistible persuasion of his words moved me to do as he said.
I was in Rabbi Al bar Levi's study in just a few minutes. "Master," I said, a little out of breath, "I have been celebrating the Passover with a group of men at an inn a few blocks from here. The leader of the group, a man named Jesus, told me to come see you and then return quickly."
Bar Levi looked up from the scroll of Isaiah spread before him. "Jesus, you say?" Bar Levi stroked his beard and appeared thoughtful. "Why did he send you to me?"
"I--I don't have the foggiest," I stuttered.
"I believe I do," bar Levi said, still fingering his beard.
"Is he a rabbi?"
"The Rabbi of rabbis."
"A prophet?"
"The Prophet of all prophets. But neither of these is the purpose of his being."
"What, then?"
Bar Levi placed his hand on the scroll. "It's all right here. Isaiah gives you a complete description of Jesus the Messiah. Everything but his name."
The rabbi's words reverberated and crashed like thunder in my brain. "The Messiah? That unimposing little man?"
"That unimposing little man and his twelve companions are about to turn the world upside down. Now; up with you. Fly, Noah, fly. Return and see the unveiling of what was prepared before the world began."
More of Noah's adventure in the next blog.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Hello; I'm a fly. That's right; a fly,...with wings and everything. Wait a minute; don't hit 'delete.' I know that I and my kind can be very, very annoying. We show up, uninvited, at your picnics, barbeque's etc and walk all over your food. Yeah, we're universally hated and reviled and the word 'fly'is usually preceded with the word 'damn.' But, hey, flies have to make a living too, you know? Nothing personal; it's the way we're made. I guess we're not all that bad 'cause how many times have you said, "I wish I could be a fly on the wall" so you could eavesdrop on your friends, family and neighbors? Gotcha.
Well, I can be a fly on the wall and boy, the stories I could tell. All of which brings me to a story I can tell you, passed down from my great-grandfather 7 or 8 thousand times removed: Noah Fly lll. Ol' Noah III was the great grandson of one of the two flies taken on the Ark and he lived a long time. (All the male animals and insects brought on the Ark took the name Noah. I bet you didn't know that.) Anyway, here's his story as he told it.
"In the year 33 A.D. I had taken up residence in the second story of an inn. My wings were getting heavy and my wandering days were over. This upper room was comfortable and food was plentiful. I didn't have to share it with any other flies because they stayed away out of respect for my great age and my vicious left hook.
"This particular day was the time for the Feast of Passover and, being a good Jewish fly, I looked forward to sharing it with whoever rented the room. The servant girls came early and arranged couches in a circle and placed small low tables close to them. Later, a group of men filed in and reclined on the couches; the humans customary way of dining. The men seemed to defer to one member of the company. There was nothing in his appearance to distinguish him from the rest. It was plain that he was of peasant stock but there was an air of charisma about him that even I could detect. The servant girls brought the Passover food and wine and left. As I listened to bits of conversation going on I began to get the feeling that this was not going to be your usual Passover celebration. For once in my life I forgot all about eating and pestering the diners.
"Suddenly, a hush fell over the crowd as the Leader began to speak. 'I can't begin to tell you how much I wanted to eat the Passover with you before I suffer. I won't eat it again until the Kingdom of God comes.' Whoa. This really got my attention. What did he mean about suffering? And, if he's not going to eat the passover again I suppose he knows he's going to die. Wait a minute; I'll bet this the fellow the servants have been talking about. They said the Pharisees have been harassing someone named Jesus because he's been making things uncomfortable for them and the Sanhedrin. Don't those people have anything better to do? I turned off my buzzer and flew right below him on the floor.
Jesus held up a whole loaf of unleavened bread, broke it, gave thanks and said, 'This is my body broken for you; do this in remembrance of me.' Crumbs fell and I ate one.
Next, Jesus picked up a goblet of wine and said, "Each one of you take a drink of this and pass it around 'til it's all gone.' A drop appeared on the floor beside one of the fellows and I slurped it up. 'This is my blood of the new covenant which is shed for you,' Jesus said.
Like all Jews I had memorized the scriptures and Jesus' words reminded me of some passages in Isaiah. I felt certain I was on to something; but what?
Follow Noah's search in my next blog.
Well, I can be a fly on the wall and boy, the stories I could tell. All of which brings me to a story I can tell you, passed down from my great-grandfather 7 or 8 thousand times removed: Noah Fly lll. Ol' Noah III was the great grandson of one of the two flies taken on the Ark and he lived a long time. (All the male animals and insects brought on the Ark took the name Noah. I bet you didn't know that.) Anyway, here's his story as he told it.
"In the year 33 A.D. I had taken up residence in the second story of an inn. My wings were getting heavy and my wandering days were over. This upper room was comfortable and food was plentiful. I didn't have to share it with any other flies because they stayed away out of respect for my great age and my vicious left hook.
"This particular day was the time for the Feast of Passover and, being a good Jewish fly, I looked forward to sharing it with whoever rented the room. The servant girls came early and arranged couches in a circle and placed small low tables close to them. Later, a group of men filed in and reclined on the couches; the humans customary way of dining. The men seemed to defer to one member of the company. There was nothing in his appearance to distinguish him from the rest. It was plain that he was of peasant stock but there was an air of charisma about him that even I could detect. The servant girls brought the Passover food and wine and left. As I listened to bits of conversation going on I began to get the feeling that this was not going to be your usual Passover celebration. For once in my life I forgot all about eating and pestering the diners.
"Suddenly, a hush fell over the crowd as the Leader began to speak. 'I can't begin to tell you how much I wanted to eat the Passover with you before I suffer. I won't eat it again until the Kingdom of God comes.' Whoa. This really got my attention. What did he mean about suffering? And, if he's not going to eat the passover again I suppose he knows he's going to die. Wait a minute; I'll bet this the fellow the servants have been talking about. They said the Pharisees have been harassing someone named Jesus because he's been making things uncomfortable for them and the Sanhedrin. Don't those people have anything better to do? I turned off my buzzer and flew right below him on the floor.
Jesus held up a whole loaf of unleavened bread, broke it, gave thanks and said, 'This is my body broken for you; do this in remembrance of me.' Crumbs fell and I ate one.
Next, Jesus picked up a goblet of wine and said, "Each one of you take a drink of this and pass it around 'til it's all gone.' A drop appeared on the floor beside one of the fellows and I slurped it up. 'This is my blood of the new covenant which is shed for you,' Jesus said.
Like all Jews I had memorized the scriptures and Jesus' words reminded me of some passages in Isaiah. I felt certain I was on to something; but what?
Follow Noah's search in my next blog.
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