This quite "Medium is the message" is taken from a guy named Marshall McLuhan. He was actually a futurist in his time and he is someone who's a very influential person in my field of studies; (no not in Theology) but in Semiotics (the studies of signs in culture). But he coined this phrase by saying that the medium (the very things that presents or defines) is sometimes the very message itself. For example: in deciding to drive a particular car such as a Benz it is a medium of transportation. But the brand Benz itself brings about certain kinds of meaning; prestige, wealth...etc.
As I reflect on last week's sermon and the second portion that says that a true messanger must live out the message (Ezek.3:1-3) is very true. The messanger himself/herself may sometimes become the very message. Without an oneness to the message and the gospel in our lives would we not be reduced to become hypocrites?
May you be the medium to the message today.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Walk to remember
John 6:16-21
When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened. But he said to them, "It is I; do not be afraid." Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.
I was reading this passage I've realize that this is a common passage that we've often heard a whole lot about but never really meditate upon this passage much. As I am imagining this passage I wonder what the disciples must have felt when they saw Jesus walking on water. I wonder how fearful they must be seeing someone walking on water; strangely it reminds of scary movies? However it is pretty amazing that when Jesus arrives there was calmness and peace in the midst of the disciples. Isn't it just extremely how the people just felt so calm.
But the question that I kept thinking about is whether or not we would recognize Jesus? When we are in a boat (whether calm or crazy weathered) when Jesus comes, do you think we'll recognize Him? Will we find peace in seeing Him face to face?
When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened. But he said to them, "It is I; do not be afraid." Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.
I was reading this passage I've realize that this is a common passage that we've often heard a whole lot about but never really meditate upon this passage much. As I am imagining this passage I wonder what the disciples must have felt when they saw Jesus walking on water. I wonder how fearful they must be seeing someone walking on water; strangely it reminds of scary movies? However it is pretty amazing that when Jesus arrives there was calmness and peace in the midst of the disciples. Isn't it just extremely how the people just felt so calm.
But the question that I kept thinking about is whether or not we would recognize Jesus? When we are in a boat (whether calm or crazy weathered) when Jesus comes, do you think we'll recognize Him? Will we find peace in seeing Him face to face?
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Prayer and Ceasars?
After reading Joanne's post it has made me to reflect on prayer some-more... As some of you may know I'm going through one OT and one NT book during my quiet time. I am reading through Luke...
So in the last week I was reading this portion of Luke and something that struck me... something that is not often thought about as a passage that discusses and teaches about prayer. But as I am reflecting on this passage it also challenged me a glimmers of what prayer is about.
Luke 20:20-26
Keeping a close watch on him, they sent spies, who pretended to be honest. They hoped to catch Jesus in something he said so that they might hand him over to the power and authority of the governor. So the spies questioned him: "Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right, and that you do not show partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?"
He saw through their duplicity and said to them, "show me a denarius. Whose portrait and inscription are on it?
"Caesar's," they replied. He said to them, "Then give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."
They were unable to trap him in what he had said there in public. And astonished by his answer, they became silent.
What is amazing about this passage is that Jesus is being challenged about His authority and at the same time people were trying to trap Him with a difficult question. But in this we recognize that Jesus is also teaching people that we must render to Caesar (or the world) what is the world and render (give) to God what is God's. As we look at our prayer life... what is it that we are praying for? Are we praying for things that are committed to the things of Caesar? or are we authentically coming before God asking for Him and Him alone? I think our prayer life would be very different when we relinquish the worldly ways in prayer and begin to realize and fixate on the Lord.
May your prayer life be God's and His alone.
So in the last week I was reading this portion of Luke and something that struck me... something that is not often thought about as a passage that discusses and teaches about prayer. But as I am reflecting on this passage it also challenged me a glimmers of what prayer is about.
Luke 20:20-26
Keeping a close watch on him, they sent spies, who pretended to be honest. They hoped to catch Jesus in something he said so that they might hand him over to the power and authority of the governor. So the spies questioned him: "Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right, and that you do not show partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?"
He saw through their duplicity and said to them, "show me a denarius. Whose portrait and inscription are on it?
"Caesar's," they replied. He said to them, "Then give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."
They were unable to trap him in what he had said there in public. And astonished by his answer, they became silent.
What is amazing about this passage is that Jesus is being challenged about His authority and at the same time people were trying to trap Him with a difficult question. But in this we recognize that Jesus is also teaching people that we must render to Caesar (or the world) what is the world and render (give) to God what is God's. As we look at our prayer life... what is it that we are praying for? Are we praying for things that are committed to the things of Caesar? or are we authentically coming before God asking for Him and Him alone? I think our prayer life would be very different when we relinquish the worldly ways in prayer and begin to realize and fixate on the Lord.
May your prayer life be God's and His alone.
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