In this time of turmoil and uncertainty, Jesus is present with us, freeing us from the fear that would drive us to police the borders of belonging in our community. He is empowering us to join in the prophetic work of liberation, telling the truth about ourselves, our community, and our world.Jesus says to John and to us, “Don't be afraid, the goodness that you have has been a gift of my mercy. Not an achievement you have grasped. You don’t enjoy the life you have because you got it first… You enjoy it because I’m a gracious giver of life who wants EVERYONE, including you, to flourish! So stay open to more goodness instead of trying to secure the borders of that goodness.”

And Jesus is saying here that if you cause them to stumble: Refers to actions that cause people to lose their faith, actions that make it very difficult for ppl to continue to follow Jesus... trust in the goodness of Jesus… He's saying that's a really serious thing. 

This brings to mind 2 things. 1): The many abuse scandals that have come to light in so many different corners of the church over the last several years. These are the kinds of actions that can shipwreck someone's faith. It often makes people unable to go to church, unable to engage with scripture, unable to follow Jesus. 

2) The general posture of Christian leaders as they use their energy to police the boarders of who’s in and who’s out: Infighting rather than liberation. Hungry for status rather than feeding the hungry. Building brands rather than binding up the brokenhearted. Jealousy of others’ successes rather than rejoicing in the lost and least. Suspicion over anyone who doesn't share the right label rather than blessing any work that results in human flourishing regardless of who’s doing that work. Defending their tribe rather than coming to the aid of the defenseless. 

And because of this friends, is it any wonder that we have an entire generation of younger folks walking away from the faith? Is it any wonder that they question whether the Jesus the church claims to follow is a God of love and mercy? The work of prophecy, in contrast to policing, is to stand in solidarity with those who are harmed by these kinds of abusive actions, and to tell the truth about the rotten fruit of these actions. And of course, the tragic irony is that in so many of the churches that enable and excuse their own behavior, there's almost always a strong policing energy - condemning those who are outside the borders, straining out gnats and swallowing camels.  Trust that the work of liberation will draw us all deeper into communion with God and with each other. It's so much easier to police the behavior of outsiders than it is to prophetically look at our own lives and our own community… And to do what's necessary to cultivate this fruit of liberation here in this garden.  Today, beloved, the good news is that in this time of turmoil & uncertainty, Jesus is present with us freeing us from the fear that would drive us to police the borders of belonging in our community & empowering us to join in the prophetic work of liberation, telling the truth about ourselves, our community, & our world. 

Where do you feel the fear that might drive you to police the borders of belonging? And where do you sense Jesus empowering you to join in the prophetic work of liberation?