"...They Sent Their Disciples..."  [Module#161] (Matt 22:16)

Jesus was not the only one
Discipling, and having fun
In building up a following
Of those He’d to the Kingdom bring –

The Pharisees and other groups
Were raising folks to fill their boots
When they passed on their mantles bright,
Then passed themselves to endless light.

And yes, Christ put a twist on His
(Perhaps), and put discipling biz
On better base than one-off way
To train folks for another day –

By geometric growth (in twos
Who each trained twos – he could not lose –
Four, twelve, then seven-two indeed,
A pyramid-ish way to feed).

But He had no old form to fill;
His task was different – working still –
Take Jewish insight (boiled down)
To other nations scattered ’round –

As salt, and light, and leaven, for
Their cultured ways – a “something more”
Than all their yesterdays of strife –
Enriched indeed to better life.

The ones with older paradigms
Have struggles – one which comes to mind –
Maintaining ways which worked to date,
And thus they seldom hesitate –

To teach their folks to tear things down
Which don’t match up, ’till all that’s found
Is us – “just-us” – so bend the rules
To rid the scene of lesser fools.

And so, one day they sent their guys
To lay a trap (“Hey You’re so wise –
Why don’t You take on Rome instead
Of those by whom Your soul’s been fed? –

“For we are keepers of the flame,
Like days of yore, we’re still the same;
You’re out of line – pick sides, my man,
And be a Rabbi if you can”.

“Hypocrisy has problems, guys”,
Christ answered, “you’re by no means wise;
Both God and Caesar have their place –
You too – don’t bring on selves disgrace.”

So what does God require of you?
“Do justice, love, have point of view
Held by our Lord as we walk ’round
This earth ’till heaven on earth are found.

For me, God’s power, will, resource,
Are there to mix and match – of course –
We’re never meant to operate
Alone – so I don’t hesitate –

To ask, O Lord, what is your will?
What “this and that” desiring, ’till
I come to You on bended knee,
And ask if You might help me see –

For interactive is the way
I’ve come to see, for me, each day
As being how the two matchup
Part heaven, part earth – in that’s enough.

So give to Caesar part that’s his;
But then to God, His part, that biz
Of Kingdom-might in mix of those
Bring heaven to earth – for Goodness knows –

There is a need for heaven on earth;
A need for all for second birth;
For sight restored to those now blind;
And lifestyle-shift towards the kind.

Thanks Lord for your insightful quip,
That we might take and run with it
Into a richer life below,
And Kingdom-life thus better know.

Thanks Lord for this.

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