John with New Eyes

I have been reading through the book of John this last week...It amazes me the different faces scripture has when we change the lighting around it. This time through I am focusing on Jesus the Rabbi, upon reading Velvet Elvis and listening to some teaching on Jesus the Rabbi. As I read through chapter 4, the woman at that well. I realized for the first time that the disciples did not make any comments or question Jesus as he was talking to this outcast woman. Instead, I picture them as talmidim...listening and learning from their Rabbi. Following without question to be the one covered in the most dust of their Rabbi.

How many times do we just take for granted the stories of Scripture? We read through them so many times and we find that we never change the light. Scripture then becomes stale and dry. But to change the light just a little, to be challenged by a new idea and then to see things just a little differently can move you forward when you have felt stuck for sometime.

Find a way to change the light...then open up the story of Jesus and be renewed.

Velvet Elvis

I just got done reading through Rob Bell's book, Velvet Elvis. Got to get it. It left me with a thought in my own life...how am I doing? Am I living the type of life that a "talmidim"? As a disciple, am I covered in the "dust of my rabbi"? Upon reflection, I am falling short. My rabbi expects more from me than just to believe.

Recently I was challenged to read more about my rabbi. To begin to engross myself in the teachings and life of my rabbi. If Jesus is my rabbi, then I must do everything in my power to learn about my rabbi. Peter, James, John and the rest had it easy so to speak. Think about it they got to go everywhere with Jesus...they watched him...they ate with him...they heard him...they lived with him. The best any of us can now do is to absorb the life of Jesus in the writings we are blessed to have. I would like to say that I have been doing a good job with studying my rabbi. The good thing is there is still time.