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Finger paint
Thursday, March 12, 2015
Thursday of the Third Week of Lent
Luke11:20-23
Jesus said, “It is by the finger of God that I drive out demons, and the Kingdom of God has come upon you. When a strong man fully armed guards his palace, his possessions are safe.
But when one stronger than he attacks and overcomes him, he takes away the armor on which he relied and distributes the spoils. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”
Turning Dallas Willard’s thought slightly, we can rejoice in the idea that Jesus is the strongest man who ever lived. And further rejoice that when he captures the castle, he “distributes the spoils.” This is no simple switch of wealth from one tyrant to another. Jesus gives it all away. In the kingdom of God, everyone can play.
Jesus carries on his person the finger of God and – holy of holies – he touches us. We are healed. Whole. Michelangelo’s Father touches Adam on the Sistine Chapel ceiling, and Jesus touches me. He restores the wondrous art my Father made in me, and I am free from demons, free from garbage, free from old and smallish spoils I once held tightly to my breast.
Let them go, and let the kingdom of God come upon you. He implores us. Be with me, not against me. He is quiet about this, but his certainty does not waver. His eyes are clear and he looks right into mine. There is no going against the strongest man that ever lived. The one man who gives away everything he has reclaimed from the thief in the night, bought with blood, made new every day for all his children.
Sweet harmonies of the universe, returning to earth with every step Jesus takes. Let me follow you, Jesus, and sing your song, and every day be drawn by you onto the fine canvas of our Father.
http://www.christiancounselingservice.com/archived_devotions.php?article_id=1356
