Right here, right now! I put the offer out. I don't wanna chase you down, I know you've seen it! You read, this blog, and it will cut the smog, the hazy fog of all the online trappings. So trade that typical, for something colorful, and if it's crazy, boy is it crazy! You can read the sensible, blogs so conventional, or read the Notes each week, you'll see...
Occasionally a film, song, or album comes along that affects you in ways you never thought could be possible. We like what we like and it is rare that anything can change our minds or impact our hearts. On the rare occasion where a reaction occurs in us, we feel something we had not expected. Sometimes this manifests itself emotionally, other times our reaction is more visceral. Despite the manifestation of the impact, our lives are changed by having viewed or listened to said stimuli.
The 20th Century Fox theatrical release, The Greatest Showman, has had the above-mentioned effect on me. I can't, nor do I want, to get the songs out of my head. The vision turned reality of Barnum's museum is an inspiration to anyone who has ever had a dream of any kind. The intense desire to be seen as credible and legitimate in our endeavors is something with which most can relate. The deals and sacrifices that are made for that validity show the desperation to see dreams come true. The reuniting and recommitting to those most important to us is something that even the most cold-hearted can be profoundly affected. Add to all of this one of the most memorable soundtracks EVER and you have the trifecta that is The Greatest Showman...showbiz, story, and song! If you get the opportunity to experience this movie in theaters, I highly recommend it.
In recent years, much has been made of making deals. Perhaps you have made a few yourself. Ever bought a car? a house? There are political deals made in Washington made by representatives. President of the United States, Donald Trump, has even written a book about how making deals can be an art form. (Like his policies or not, this book has become known as a primer for negotiating in business.) There are international trade deals. As you can see, negotiating and making contracts are a part of everyday business in the world.
Yes, there can even be deals in our relationship with God, the Father. Ever try to make a deal with God? Maybe it went something like this...God, if you just get me the resources to buy this new convertible, I'll drive all over the countryside with the top down, blaring "Jesus Freak"...or maybe it looked like this..."God, if you'll keep me alive another year, I promise every day will be lived for you... If we're honest, we have probably attempted to make a deal similar to or somewhere in between the above deals.
Today, we want to talk about a skilled negotiator. While his presence is felt through the Bible, today I want to focus on 3 occasions where his presence seems to take center ring. In this world, he truly wishes to take folks to the other side. His name is Satan.
In the earliest chapters of the Bible, after God had said that everything He had created was good, we see Satan take the form of a serpent and begin the first negotiations against God's plan. While his wheeling and dealing are not of a cause and effect nature, he does use doubt and temptation to bring about his overt machinations. Genesis 3 New International Version of the Bible/The Message paraphrase of the Bible/English Standard Version of the Bible parallel
"So trade that typical for something colorful, And if it's crazy, live a little crazy. You can play it sensible, a king of conventional Or you can risk it all and see."
Eve and then Adam made the choice to close the deal with their disobedience. I find it interesting to note: they could have eaten from the everlasting life tree and achieved immortality. The Bible does not say they were denied access to this tree. Adam and Eve were only closed off from knowledge of good and evil tree. They had 1 rule and they could not stand in their perfection long enough to obey it. We have 2 rules. Love God, love everyone else and yet by any measurable standards we disobey that many times a day, even as we rely on the strength of God to help us.
Secondly, we see the deal maker going to God to secure a soul. Many theologians consider the story of Job to have happened sometime around the days of Abraham. While the poetry of Job is exquisite, and there can be lessons learned from his friend's diatribes, our focus today is on the beginning and end of the book. God begins the discourse by asking Satan what he's been up to? Satan replies and then God hits him with Job. "Have you considered my servant Job?" Satan once again attempts to stir up doubt, by questioning Job's allegiance to God. Job 1 NIV/The Message/ESV Satan literally takes Job to the other side by stripping him of everything except his life. Job remains firm in his convictions and trusts God to see him through to the blessed other side. Job 42 NIV/The Message/ESV
Finally, Satan attempts to make the ultimate coup. He goes to Jesus to make a deal. He appeals to the humanity of Jesus while ignoring His deity.
"Don't you wanna get away from the same old part you gotta play, 'Cause I got what you need so come with me and take the ride. It'll take you to the other side."
The Gospel of Jesus according to the disciple Matthew 4:1-11 NIV/The Message/ESV, Luke 4:1-13 NIV/The Message/ESV (Jesus temptation is also briefly mentioned in Mark 1:12-13 NIV/The Message/ESV) At each of Satan's offers, Jesus counters with a passage of scripture that denies the enemy's power.
In all of these examples, ultimately the deal goes sour for Satan. Through the descendants of Eve, Jesus is born. Through Job's faithfulness, God is exalted and Job is restored. Through Jesus' willingness to be tempted as we are, He gained the victory and angels attended him.
There is one other deal that needs to be made today. There is an urgency by which the negotiations must be settled. God has already put the offer out. He sealed His end of the deal with the blood of His Son, Jesus. He is willing to chase us down and confront us with the permanence of this deal. The Bible describes God as patient while he awaits your response to His gracious and merciful offer. The Apostle Paul's letter to the Romans 2:3-4, The Disciple Peter's 2nd Letter to Christians in Various Regions of the Roman Empire 3:8-9
Be reminded, however, this offer from God is one to which there can be no counteroffer. You accept or deny. There is no guarantee that the offer will be made again. Paul's 2nd Letter to the Corinthian Church 6:1-2
So what'll it be friend? Wanna go to the other side?
'Til Tuesday,
Serving HIM by serving You,
randy
