Code of God

Jesus said, “Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.” (Luke 12:2)

The controversy surrounding The DaVinci Code has been in the news since Hollywood announced that it would be making a movie about the mystery novel written by Dan Brown. There have been world-wide protests and formal statements from the Vatican suggesting that the movie be boycotted, but regardless of how you feel about the book and the subsequent movie it is important to remember that the book is a fictitious story based on a series of very loosely connected historic facts.

Whether you like The DaVinci Code or not it is a fascinating global phenomenon. It truly is amazing that this story has captured the attention of the entire world. Why do you suppose this is? Is it because any great mystery novel sparks our imaginations or is it because it makes the radical claim that Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene? Perhaps this book simply represents another opportunity to turn out attention away from the things of this world and remember the teaching of Jesus. As Jesus illuminates, “And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be of anxious mind. For all the nations of the world seek these things; and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things shall be yours as well.” (Luke 12:29-31)

Jesus always draws your attention back to what is eternal – God. Notice how he is pointing out not to be anxious of mind. He is revealing that it is not only seeking the things of this world that can cause anxiety, but that your mind can also cause anxiety about things which simply will not last. Ten years from now The Davinci Code and all the controversy surrounding it will be forgotten, but Jesus Christ will never be forgotten simply because his words embody the eternal light of God.

Would Jesus be concerned about The DaVinci Code? Or would he simply turn your attention back to the Code of God? The Code of God is very simple and leads you to a feeling of peace and joy that surpasses all understanding. The things of this world are complex and only lead you toward the pain of suffering. Joy is simple and suffering is very complex. The teaching of Jesus reveals the simplicity of the Code of God.

To open to the Code of God Jesus only asks you to do two very simple things. Jesus illuminates, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 22:37-39). He did not say think about all the reasons why you can’t love your neighbor as yourself. He is simply asking you to love everyone - period. This means everyone on the planet not just your neighbor who lives next door. He is not asking you to think about it he is asking you to simply to open and love regardless of what you might be thinking.

Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” (John 14:15) Do you love Jesus? Are you willing to apply his teaching and love or is it too difficult. If you love Jesus your heart naturally opens to his eternal light. It is so simple, but your mind tends to make things so complex. Why is it that it seems so difficult to follow such a simple teaching? Perhaps it is so simple it is simply overlooked. You can use The DaVinci Code to stop everything for a moment and remember the two most important things in your life; Loving God and Loving Everyone. Or you can allow it to cause your mind to become anxious and concerned. It really is that simple.

The mind is the kingdom of discernment and the land of possibilities. There is nothing wrong with your mind – it is a powerful force, but it is important to note that the power of your mind can lead you towards what is eternal or toward the temporary things of this world. You hesitate to follow the commandments of Jesus for a multitude of reasons that only live in your mind. You think all kinds of things all the time, but as Jesus points out an anxious mind leads you away from following the Code of God – Love.

This love is a living truth that is alive within you at the core of your being. It can only be discovered when you fully open your heart to love. When you place your attention on love you will find it simple to follow the commandment of Jesus. Jesus is love. His love removes all of life’s fears and tribulations only when you stop following your thoughts outward and instead turn them inward to the source of everything that is alive at the core of your being – the Kingdom of God. As Jesus illuminates, “Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. ” (Luke 17:21)

Jesus only asked you to do two things nothing more and nothing less, but your mind wants to make it so much more complex. If you simply follow his advice your life will be filled with Joy. As Jesus illuminates, “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” (Luke 15:11) There is no greater joy than allowing yourself to abide in the eternal Light and Joy of Jesus Christ.

The DaVinci Code is giving you yet another opportunity to apply the teaching of Jesus Christ in your everyday life and experience the unending Joy of God. Are you choosing the simplicity of love or the complexities of mind?

What are you choosing today?

What does Jesus say about Revenge?

Jesus said, “But I say to you that hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.” (Luke 6:27)

Justin Johnson always dreamed of serving his country. Sadly he only had his dream job for just twelve days. On Easter morning 2004 Justin was killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq. He was only 22. We have heard this kind of story over and over again. It has become almost a daily event that someone has been killed by a road side bomb in Iraq or Afghanistan.

What makes this story unique is that Justin’s father joined the National Guard so that he could avenge his son’s death. Of course Jan Johnson, Justin’s Mom, who was still reeling from the death of her son was not at all happy that her husband was going to join the fight in Iraq. In an interview with the Associated Press, she said that over a period of time she realized that going over there was what it was going to take for her husband to heal from his son’s death.

At age 49 Joe Johnson is on active duty in Iraq. The revenge that he sought was in his reach, but something unexpected happened to him on the front line; his urge for revenge faded. When he saw the terrible needs that the people of Iraq his whole motivation changed from how can I get revenge to how can I help these people. Perhaps it was his wife’s faith that caused this dramatic change. She said during the same interview, “Sometimes you have to trust the Lord and trust your husband.”

The death of a child is the ultimate challenge for any parent. Each person must choose their own path for healing. In Joe’s case he chose revenge, but by some unknowable Grace, his sword of hate was removed by compassion for the people he sought to kill.

God can work in mysterious ways. If Joe had heeded the teaching of Jesus he would not have had to risk his life in Iraq, but by pursuing his desire to avenge his son’s death he saw the tremendous suffering of the people of Iraq first hand. Perhaps this is what Jesus meant when he said, “Blessed are you that mourn for you shall be comforted.” It seems that Joe did avenge his son’s death with compassion for the people of Iraq. Maybe now Justin can rest in peace.

What do you think?

Blessed are the Peace Makers

Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:10)

Several articles in various news papers have reported that the 3rd year anniversary of war in Iraq has been marked by Global Anti War Protests. Are these the people Jesus calls ”sons of God”? Who are the real peace makers?

An article in the San Francisco Chronicle notes that there were fewer people attending the various protests held around the world, but the feeling that the war in Iraq is a humanitarian crisis is felt globally.

It can be frustrating to see the continued violence and death that continues in Iraq and Afghanistan. The war has divided our country in to two groups - those who support the war and those who do not. Few would argue that this is a very painful and heated subject.

The war in Iraq has challenged our understanding of what Jesus taught on the most fundamental level. Many believe the war is justified and we are simply fighting the forces of evil. Others feel that the cost of war is too high both in terms of money and loss of life. Still others firmly believe that war is never justified regardless of the circumstances. The loss of life cannot be ignored. It is the highest sacrifice of every war. And like it or not, as Americans, we all have the blood of thousands of innocent people on our hands.

The events of 911 broke the heart of American and the world. Never before had we witnessed the horror of hatred like we did on that day. As the shock of that horrible horrible day began to subside there was a general feeling that something must be done - that we had to strike back. It was in that moment we forgot Jesus. We turned our back on him in our rush to stop the forces of evil. Which, perhaps, is exactly what the forces of evil wanted us to do.

Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you, Do not resist one who is evil. But if any one strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also; and if any one would sue you and take your coat, let him have your cloak as well; and if any one forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to him who begs from you, and do not refuse him who would borrow from you. “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sendrain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?” (Matthew 5:39-47)

Love your enemies?! Have we stopped to love the terrorists? It takes courage to do that! How can we love a terrorist? But this is exactly what Jesus is asking us to do. Don’t get this wrong here. Jesus is not asking you to condone the horrific actions of terrorists - No! No! No! What they are doing is wrong. But Jesus is asking us to see something that is deeper than hatred, more powerful than any weapon of mass destruction, more powerful then fighting evil. He is asking us to LOVE!

Can you see the unbeleiveable wisdom here? Jesus is asking us to stop and turn to love instead of turning to fight. Doesn’t war cause more anger, more stife, more suffering, more poverty, more terrorists? If we can learn to love our enemies we have done more to bring peace to the world than any act of aggression ever has.

Have you stopped and prayed for the terrorists? That is hard enough, but Jesus goes a step further and asks us to pray for them. Jesus is literally showing us the way to God! He is pointing out that it is through love and prayer that we become true peace makers - the sons and daughters of God! Let me repeat that: It is through love and prayer that we become true peace makers - the sons and daughers of God! He also points out that it is easy to love those who love you, but much much more difficult to love your enemies.

Very few of us are true daughters and sons of God. How many of you have really taken what Jesus said to heart? Sadly many of the protesters of the war view themselves as agents of peace, but in truth they are no different than the warrior on the battle field. They are fighting for an idea of peace. For many protesting the war is just another form of expressing the terrible rage they feel or the frustration of not being able to stop this horrible war. This is not what Jesus asked either.

If you don’t like George Bush and feel the war in Iraq is wrong do you have the courage to love him? Have you prayed for him? For some this can be just as sickening as the idea of praying for the terroists.

If you have the courage to practice the teachings of Jesus in every day life and apply them in the most difficult situations that you face you will experience a peace that surpasses all understanding. Following the teachings of Jesus can be the most difficult thing you ever do and the most rewarding. As Jesus explains, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

This is not about choosing sides. There is no us versus them with God. It is not about protesting the war or not protesting the war. It is simply stopping to love. Stopping to forgive. As Jesus points out, “God lets the sun shine on both the evil and the good.” This is the infinite mercy of God: Unconditional Love.

You always have a choice. Why not choose to follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ? He is peace itself. The embodiment of divine love. He is asking us to chose love over fear and hatred.

What do you want to choose?