Asking the Right Question

In a world of dichotomies, Jesus' way is bigger.

It almost seems as if Jesus doesn’t even answer his question.

Not that he has to, but it seems like one of those situations where someone asks someone else a question point blank and then that person just looks the other way and talks about something else.

But there’s something else going on, isn’t there?

Maybe it’s the wrong question. Sometimes a questioner only provides two options and neither of those options are the correct one.

Would you like skim milk or whole milk?
Um…I’m allergic to milk.

Jesus is utterly focused on love and abiding. In John, love is the revelation of God. And he’s revealing that love both to the disciples and to the whole world.

And if your question, Judas, is about how I’ll reveal this love in the coming days, I’m sending someone to help you with that.

So many situations today only seem to provide two options. People think they’re forced into one of two things. This or that. You must choose.

But maybe you don’t. Maybe there’s an alternative.

Jesus is the alternative. Sure, there may be resonations of his Way here or there, but only he is the full alternative.

John 14:22-26

Judas (not Judas Iscariot) asked, “Lord, why are you about to reveal yourself to us and not to the world?”

Jesus answered, “Whoever loves me will keep my word. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Whoever doesn’t love me doesn’t keep my words. The word that you hear isn’t mine. It is the word of the Father who sent me.

“I have spoken these things to you while I am with you. The Companion, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I told you.

Psalm 143:7-10 (& Today’s Prayer)

Hurry and answer me, Lord! My breath is fading. Don’t hide your face from me or I’ll be like those going down to the pit! Tell me all about your faithful love come morning time, because I trust you. Show me the way I should go, because I offer my life up to you. Deliver me from my enemies, Lord! I seek protection from you. Teach me to do what pleases you, because you are my God. Guide me by your good spirit into good land.

Amen.

Prayer

God,

Honestly, I’m quite tired of it. It’s not that I think I have it all figured out. I don’t want to imply that. But I do think that there are better ways to about it all.

Republican or Democrat. Hate the president or not. And if you don’t like this guy, that means you must accept her. Why are my brothers and sisters so insistent on the dichotomy?

Lord, help us to find, know, and live into the alternative that is Jesus and his Way of living in a loving and abiding community. Give us wisdom to resist easy, unattainable answers and abide in your love.

By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.