“That's A Technical Foul!” When you’re removed from the game of life.
Why do we cling so tightly to this life? We’re told life is a gift and blessing, which in the right context and perspective is.
The Virgin Mary in Luke 1:47-49, ESV
But then Jesus also states in Luke 14:26
The Old Testament had strict laws and rules, details of worship and sacrifice, very thorough, very involved. People died left and right. People were killed for breaking rules, and others by accident for touching the Arch of the Covenant, or going into wrong place, or for touching mountain sides. How many times in parables that Jesus shared were people getting killed? The vineyard owner sending slaves and the tenants killing them, then the son. The king hosting a wedding ceremony, people rejecting the invite so the response was to kill.
More depressingly, the brutal death and beheading of John the Baptist. Death seemed very commonplace.
A lot of death depicted and discussed. The thing is, they’re dead on this side but they’re not non-existent. Their souls have gone elsewhere. It doesn’t mean they’re all damned to hell. There’s a lot more going on. We see how the world operates when rules are ignored. Watch any sporting event. You can’t have a game if there are no clearly defined rules, boundaries, and referees upholding the standards. One mustn't call God mean or cruel for allowing so much death.
The Virgin Mary in Luke 1:47-49, ESV
And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.Acts 5:41 expresses
So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name,disciples of Christ who were glad to serve the Kingdom of Christ at any cost. They understood their greater call and purpose.
But then Jesus also states in Luke 14:26
If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.Extreme wording used here. Just to clarify, it’s not the specific hatred of people He’s referring to. It’s realizing the futility of clinging on to this life and not being willing to reject it and walk away from it if need be.
The Old Testament had strict laws and rules, details of worship and sacrifice, very thorough, very involved. People died left and right. People were killed for breaking rules, and others by accident for touching the Arch of the Covenant, or going into wrong place, or for touching mountain sides. How many times in parables that Jesus shared were people getting killed? The vineyard owner sending slaves and the tenants killing them, then the son. The king hosting a wedding ceremony, people rejecting the invite so the response was to kill.
More depressingly, the brutal death and beheading of John the Baptist. Death seemed very commonplace.
A lot of death depicted and discussed. The thing is, they’re dead on this side but they’re not non-existent. Their souls have gone elsewhere. It doesn’t mean they’re all damned to hell. There’s a lot more going on. We see how the world operates when rules are ignored. Watch any sporting event. You can’t have a game if there are no clearly defined rules, boundaries, and referees upholding the standards. One mustn't call God mean or cruel for allowing so much death.
If you’re pulled out of life, then God pulled you outta the game, not necessarily out of His grace or Kingdom. Sometimes it’s actually to save you.
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