BB – togetherness

The above sentence concluded Jesus’ explanation of “the parallel” which he had started with the words “The sowing one came out to sow the seed of himself.” See Infos AZ and BA.

In it he had described the reactions of individual people to “the word” which he had “come out … to sow” for that generation - and  forall that were to follow. Do you think that “those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in a fine and good heart, and bear fruit in steadfastness” are merely church attenders? Merely religious? Just good living people? 

Jesus used a strange word when he spoke about lighting a lamp – “touching a lamp.” Earlier Luke recorded this, “… And all the crowd were seeking to touch him, since power was coming out from him and was healing all.” Could it be the case that Jesus was describing one who genuinely touches him when many things change – like night into day? 

Each such genuine follower wants others to discover “the light.” So "the light” is not to be covered.

 

If, secretly, an overt follower of Jesus is not genuine then that “will … come to be revealed.” Equally, “a concealed thing” will “be known and … revealed.” How often in our everyday lives are we fooling others and being fooled? But “the light” is “the light.” 

Oh, dear… “What he thinks he has…will be taken away.” Is this another warning about genuineness? When Jesus said, “See then how you hear!” he was mixing the metaphors but the thrust of his imperative is that one should look carefully at the way in which we are responding to what we hear about him. How are we responding to him? Which of the four types of response to “the seed” accurately and genuinely describes my own response?

The way in which Luke describes the situation of Jesus’ human “mother and brothers” is interesting. At that time, “they were not able to attain togetherness with him.” Is “togetherness with him” an accurate description of genuine familiarity? Of what takes place when “the seed” is genuinely received and welcomed by “the fine earth”? Of “togetherness” in “the light” who is Jesus?

Jesus “was messaged.” Is having sent a message to Jesus any good in the final analysis? Is even having "stood outside” any good in the final analysis? Is there a hint here of what is really, truly needed by every human being – the attaining of “togetherness with him”?

 

If Jesus is really “the word of God” to human beings, “the ones hearing and doing the word of God” are part of the living family of the Almighty. 

And, in that living family, there is the very best of “togetherness.”