Chapter 3: May They Find in You a Blessing
One of the 7 promises that God makes to Abraham in Genesis 12 is “You will be a blessing.” Three questions about whether a blessing is true and one we should seek are:
- Is it something everyone can have—is it based on our common humanity?
- Is it fundamentally holy, about being shaped and fitted to serve God?
- Is it something I am expecting to share with others?
“And before the church becomes too self-righteous about criticizing Zionism or the prosperity gospel, we need to ask ourselves the same questions. Is our gospel and church life something everyone can have? Is it making us holy? Is it fundamentally a shared thing, or something we see as primarily for us as individuals?”
Chapter 4: So Much for Servant Ministry
We get the foot washing scene in John wrong. We think it is about servant leadership. And, while it is to some extent, Jesus is preparing his disciples for death, just like Mary’s washing of his feet in the previous Chapter was preparing Jesus for death.
“Here, then, are two fundamental moments in our Christian life. Baptism is the beginning, the moment when we pass from death to life, the moment when the power of death ceases to dominate our imaginations. And foot washing is the end, the moment when we are prepared to face death, the moment when we help one another face the consequences of our baptism.”
Chapter 5: The Five Ws
When we face death or at other times in our lives there are 4 great fears that can paralyze us: death, pain, guilt, and isolation. When Israel was in exile in Babylon, they had all of those fears. Isaiah in 43:1-7 answers those fears with a message that answers the 5 journalistic Ws.
“Those are the Five Ws that Isaiah gives Israel to reappraise and reassess its situation in the midst of exile.
- You’re not far away; you’re at the heart of it all.
- You’re not a has-been; you’re precious, honored, and loved.
- You’re not rejected; you belong to God.
- You are in the fire, but God’s right in there with you.
- Your life isn’t pointless; it’s a reflection of God’s glory.”
Quotes From: Samuel Wells. “Be Not Afraid.” iBooks. https://itun.es/us/_CksC.l