 By Eric Reeder Founder and leader of RISEmovement www.generationsrise.com This morning I heard, "we can't change history unless we change how God is viewed and how we are viewed." This seems to be the fundamental work of Jesus. Richard Rohr has said, "Jesus didn't come to change God's mind about man, but rather change man's mind about God." Too much doctrine has Jesus' Father looking like Zeus. That has shaped hearts who go on to shape history in a courtroom understanding with a distance judge who is a cold arbiter of justice understood as punishment instead of mercy. So we have a punishment based society centered on who did what to who and who is going to pay. Father's heart isn't about who's going to pay. It's about who's going to forgive. When we are renewed in seeing Him that way, we become those who look to forgive instead of those looking for payment from our offender. This walks out in marriage, parenting, friendships, business, and society. Our view of Him determines how we respond. If we see Him responding in anger and punishment, we'll think that's the way things are to be done. Like any child observing a parent, we will follow what we see of Father. The view of an angry, punishing God obsessed with our moral or immoral deeds has built a culture of rebellion, anger, fighting, punishment, retribution, and scorn. If we want a different culture in our hearts, our homes, and our cities, it'll require seeing God differently. We are to understand Father is like Jesus not like Zeus.
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 By Eric Reeder
Founder and leader of RISEmovement www.generationsrise.com Mark 2:13-17 Jesus isn't afraid of sin. Jesus isn't turned away by sin. Matter of fact, Jesus is drawn to the results of sin. Jesus shows up to display forgiveness. He arrives when death is the result so life emerges. Jesus receives the brokenness leaving us with healing. Jesus always offends the law and the "protectors of the law". He walks toward the very one rejected by the religious order and selects him. Taking it further, Jesus doesn't just call the tax collector to His company, He goes with Levi to his company. Jesus goes in the house with "sinners" and reclines. Relaxes. He goes right in there. Drawn. Compelled. Lead by Holy Spirit. Jesus only does what He sees Father do. He went to the rejected to give them belonging. He didn't stand on the street and call them to come outside. He went in. Jesus goes in where sin is. We should expect that even in our own sin Jesus is stepping in. Even in areas of life we fall short, miss the mark, rebel, He is right in there with us. When shame, rejection, guilt wants to yell the loudest, He can be heard above the noise. Jesus going in Levi's house messed with the "protectors of the law". They were offended and criticized Jesus. Jesus didn't seem bothered. He had brought His disciples and followers right into the house to be among the outcast, sinner, broken, law-breakers. The Pharisees wouldn't even talk to Jesus. But Jesus answered their criticism by say He came for the sick. Sin drew Jesus. Sickness called Him in. Brokenness compelled Him. He couldn't stay away. He was/is the answer. It would be an injustice for Him to stay away. Love won't stay away. Sin, sickness, brokenness isn't the final word. Jesus is. He never withholds Himself. Sin doesn't keep Jesus from us. Sin produces brokenness. Jesus frees us from doing what causes brokenness. He shows us the way of Life and life full of abundance. He went in Levi's house so sin would no longer be the control of their life perpetuating sickness and destruction. Jesus runs toward sin so it's removed and we can live whole. He's like David running straight at the tyrannical giant. Jesus' goodness ends sin's tyranny so our lives aren't under the control of brokenness. Love can't stay away.  by Eric Reeder
Founder and leader of RISEmovement www.generationsrise.com Mark 2:1-5 Jesus was Emmanuel, God walking around with us. He was right in the midst of broken, sick, sinful, deceived people hanging with them without issue. He was in the midst of darkness displaying light at all times. He didn’t push people away, He came to them and then called them to come to Him. He never told people to come to Him without having had moved toward them first. He is not removed in the presence of sin, or sickness, or brokenness. He is close and available and changes the situation. While Jesus was telling people about Father, there came an amazing opportunity to show people what Father is like. A paralyzed man is lowered down in front of Him. Jesus moves out of teaching and into showing. He wasn’t going to just talk about Father. He was going to display Father. That is an important aspect that we all need to live. We need to show people what Father is like. Jesus makes one of that craziest statements as He steps forward to take care of this gentleman. Jesus goes straight for the jugular. He goes to the “elephant-in-the-room”. He doesn’t even talk of the disease. He goes to the heart of the matter. He shows us what Father is like. Jesus says, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” What?! Jesus makes this statement of truth and it rocks their world and rocks ours. Jesus doesn’t announce his forgiveness as if it was never there before. Jesus proclaims what has always been. Father walked in forgiveness toward that guy. He walks in forgiveness toward us. Jesus hadn’t died on the cross at this point. So we have to conclude that the cross didn’t create or provide forgiveness. The cross was the display of forgiveness that was already in play from the goodness of Father. How else could Jesus state that this guy was forgiven if forgiveness was dependent on the cross? This guy didn’t even confess his sin. Jesus just displayed that Father had already forgiven him so now go free and embrace the healing available to you from Father’s goodness. It’s basically impossible to feel worthy of a healing if you don’t realize your value through Father’s love that has always had forgiveness toward you. That is why Jesus went straight to that point. He wanted this guy to experience Father’s goodness and awaken to his value so we would no longer be paralyzed. When hearts awaken to the depth of Father’s love and value for us it heals what has us paralyzed. Our hearts, our minds, and even our physical body respond to the “all-liberating” truth of Father’s love. Our paralyzed state is remedied and we pick up our mats and live like we never have before.  by Eric Reeder
Founder and leader of RISEmovement www.generationsrise.com Mark 1:29-45 Jesus shows up, people healed, demons sent out, entire cities respond, and people follow Him to remote places to receive from Him. Jesus is the key. Seems obvious, yet many times we are sharing a lot of stuff except Jesus. Jesus is who heals. Jesus is who releases us. Jesus is who captures cities. Jesus is who people will follow anywhere. More and more we are seeing the necessity to put Jesus back on center stage. A strong emphasis of Jesus requires our hearts to adjust to the obscene measure of grace and hope He provides. It challenges us as we want so desperately to be required some form of work that we can take credit for improving ourselves. We want check sheets and lists to mark off our duties and be able to see a clear display of our abilities. We want to polish our image so some measure of credit can be ours. Because of that, there are so many teachings center on what we need to do to improve and be more disciplined or be better behaved in order to gain more stuff. When Jesus is displayed “self” gets overshadowed and many don’t enjoy that. When Jesus is on the scene people experience freedom. Hearts are so impacted they go after Him at any cost. Jesus is the prize. Jesus is healing. Jesus is deliverance. Jesus is the reason of gathering. Jesus is the reason for going all out. Jesus is the display of Father’s goodness and the comprehensive grace we all need. Jesus is who relieves us of ourselves so it’s no longer I that lives, but Christ living in me. Jesus came on the scene and fixed things even when nobody did anything. Grace trumped inadequacy. Love trumped insufficiency. Hope trumped limitation. Jesus shows up and things change because He is good, not because we are good. Comprehensive grace exhausts our abilities and handles what we never could. May we present Jesus and the fullness of His grace so healing explodes, freedom flourishes, cities respond, and hearts follow Him without fear.  by Eric Reeder
Founder and leader of RISEmovement www.generationsrise.com Mark 1:21-28 Jesus walked right into the very thing that opposed Him. He didn’t walk into to condemn it or contend with it. He walked right into it in His authority as Son and the atmosphere changed. He began revealing Father not as a scribe that talked about God from a second-hand experience. Jesus spoke of Father from a first-hand relationship. He wasn’t quoting someone else’s idea of God. He shared who He KNEW Father to be. This authority was a refreshing shock to those around. To have someone carry such life and settledness was totally impacting. It set a new tone and awakened hearts to see there was more than what they had experienced. Jesus was in the midst of the “old” releasing the “new”. It captured hearts and attention. Right in the midst of the religious, dead order was the presence of the demonic. It was never threatened or nervous to be among the lifeless place of the law. When Jesus brought the light of life and the goodness of Father onto the scene, the demonic responded and was exposed. These demons recognized the Son. There was a different authority from a son then there was with the institutional leaders in their titles and speeches. The demons recognized their work was going to be destroyed. It was going to be able to remain because the Son addressed them. This freed that individual and liberated the hearts of all there because they saw the “new” operate and it caused an awakening throughout the region. The Son brought a revelation and revealed an authority that required hearts to consider what to do with the difference they just experienced. I am calling for an era where SONS enter lifeless situations not to prove something of themselves but reveal Father and see that authority liberate and awaken souls and systems! May we recognize our relationship as sons authorizes us to change atmospheres and expose the hold of brokenness so the dark hold on hearts and homes is released and removed!! Jesus didn’t run away from the demonic. He showed up and the demonic ran. When sons show up, that which titles and positions couldn’t remedy is resolved. We must have sons walking into religiously bound territories, dark territories, demonically captive territories and release the new, fresh revelation of a good Father. Churches need sons. Businesses need sons. Government needs sons. Families need sons. Cities need sons. Nations need sons. History needs sons! Walk in who you are into any situation.  by Eric Reeder
Founder and leader of RISEmovement www.generationsrise.com Alignment = arrange in appropriate relative positions; a position of agreement and alliance Hebrews 9:10 - … until the time of reformation. Greek word for reformation here is: diorthosis which means “to make straight or aligned” Ezekiel 37:1-10 is all about alignment. It reveals how the breath of God brings things into its appropriate place for maximum contribution. When we see things, and even ourselves, in dry conditions and having minimal effect, we should investigate if there is proper alignment. Ezekiel saw this valley of dry bones separated and out of alignment. The bones were dry and non-functioning. It is amazing to see these same bones standing and being an impacting force once the breath of God brought them into alignment. Alignment is key to so many things. The planets are aligned properly, our homes are to be aligned as God prescribes, our spines need alignment for optimal health and mobility, a car needs aligned to drive well, an army must be aligned in mission and as a unit, and we all need the right alignment in relationships. Alignment speaks of agreement and contribution. All of these examples provide insight to the importance of the agreement each part has to another and what each part does in relationship with another. Alignment is vital to anything with purpose and a requirement to function. In other words, life and progress happen from proper alignment. Hebrews 9:10 is a unique verse in that it is the only place the word reformation is used in scripture. The book of Hebrews is so amazing in how it lays out the depth and scope of Christ’s supremacy over the old covenant. The author of Hebrews was presenting the gospel of the New/Better Covenant and how it supersedes and abolishes the Old. It is calling those of the Old Covenant and each generation forward to align with Christ and the New/Better Covenant He established. The Greek word diorthosis is the root word to the English word orthodontist. You can see the picture. We are called to be aligned and made straight in the work of Christ. It is amazing that the concept of alignment is used in the extremely vital requirement of being in Christ. It really puts weight on the understanding of alignment. I think the modern Church has not emphasized alignment much because the view of the Church has been predominately a “sheep fold” instead of an ambassadorial army (Ecclesia / Matt 16:8). As long as sheep are within the fold or pasture, they are free to roam and go about as they please. They get to eat and sleep, but at the end of the day, not much progress or advancement is made. That gives us a picture of sheep just waiting for something to happen, and if they can just stay in the fold they will be ok. But God has called the Church to much more than wondering around, eating, sleeping, and waiting for another day. He has called us to restore ruined cities, disciple nations, and display His glory. In order to advance in this assignment, we are required to adjust/reform from the disjointed, independent, roaming around way of Christianity. We must come into alignment with relationships, direction/vision, leadership, and understanding that will allow us to contribute in ways that cause advancement of His purposes. This brings dry, separated components into formation and to their feet as a glorious force of His Kingdom. Generations must align, families must align, congregations must align, businesses must align, and leaders must align. Alignment brings order. Order brings power that overwhelms chaos. The absence of chaos provides a fertile place to thrive.  by Eric Reeder
Mark 1:16-20 It’s amazing that over and over again we get to see the picture of Father as the one who comes toward us and pursues us. He's never interested in leaving us in our situations or in an ordinary life just doing what is needed to get by. Jesus is the revelation of Father, and we ongoingly see His heart is to have us with Him. He isn’t looking to push us away or leave us out on the waters of life striving to make it. Jesus came and got these men that were out doing what they could to bring in a livelihood and fix things the best they could. They were going about their ordinary day and Jesus invites them into the extraordinary. When they heard that they were wanted, they dropped what life had been and turned (repented) toward a life with Jesus. Jesus conveyed the good heart of Father and it awakened them to a new life. Not just a life of different activities, but a life settled on the reality that they were wanted, purposed, and invited into something more. Powerful, life changing moments happen as the goodness of Father is seen; hearts turn, ordinary moments fill with extraordinary impact, and the course of life is no longer about what you achieve but who you are. When Jesus called His disciples, He showed us Father’s heart that is for us and after us and not willing to leave us floating along or tangled up in brokenness. He is always coming toward us with goodness and hope. See Him, hear Him, and go with Him in any ordinary moment to experience the extraordinary.  photo credit: Kaitlyn Hickey
by Eric Reeder Follow this as I connect dots.... Jesus was asked, "who is the greatest in the Kingdom"? (Matt 18:1) This is the question of an orphan nature. The orphan heart is always longing to know its value and is insecure in their status. It's the ongoing battle most live out. Am I good enough, am I important, am I better than them? We can secretly think, "I know I'm better than they are". Compare. Compete. Strive to gain a sense of recognition and worth. It's the "king of the hill" lifestyle - having the need to be seen as better than others and get the credit. Jesus' reply came from the nature as the Son. His reply wouldn't speak to their question of status. He replied to the reality of their position..... Key definitions in Matt 18:3-4. Then I'll put it all together: * turn = repent / change how you're approaching this * child = young person, but we can easily connect to this "a son" * humble = reduce your need for status based on what you can obtain * greatest = to age, eldest / see this as mature * enter = come into maturity of who you are in Father's heart (sons / sons of the Kingdom) * kingdom = His place of rule - His rule comes from His heart / His heart is the source of His kingdom (son of His heart / You came from His heart) Jesus replied:
Jesus spoke to their/our position in Father's heart that came from His goodness to have us there not our ability to obtain being there. This is what causes us to abandon the orphan nature and fully live in the secure reality that we are His and there is NO higher status/greatness. Those in Christ, of His Kingdom, in Father's heart are all sons at the highest position. Therefore there is no one "greater".  by Eric Reeder
Mark 1:14 John the Baptizer was the last prophet of the Mosiac/Old Covenant. He was said to be the greatest prophet as Jesus said no one born of women prior to The Superior/New Covenant was as great as he (Luke 7:28). He was the one sent to prepare an Old Covenant people for the shift Jesus was bringing. He was calling for a changing in hearts and understanding of how sin was dealt with and what that would create; relationship over law, sonship over servant. I wrote more about that here. John symbolized what the Law was always meant to do - point beyond itself to the Greater. There had been 400 years of prophetic silence and out of that "darkness", Light would shine and create a new day. John was the picture of what was concluding. He pointed beyond himself and knew his assignment wasn't about him. As great as John was, he was still of the Old Covenant order and his life prophetically told a story as much as his words. After Jesus emerged from His 40 day time alone with Father, we are told John was in custody. He had been arrested. There is so much to be seen in that. The following verse, Mark 1:15, shows us what John's arrest reveals (I'll share on that verse in my next blog). For now, I'll mention that we are told that Jesus said "the time is fulfilled" right after we're told John is in custody. This lets us know there was something important in the sequence of order. John arrested, then "time fulfilled". John's arrest spoke of the Old Covenant being retained. The Law was arrested as the insufficient covenant and was being held in custody until it would vanish away (the end of John's life would tell the story of the Old Covenant). The time for Jesus to preach/proclaim/declare the availability of The Kingdom was after the law was retained. The Old Covenant was to be contained to that era of time. Father and Son were setting in a New and Superior Covenant as the Old was being held in custody. John's imprisonment symbolized the Old Covenant being held in custody. 2 Corinthians 10:5 tells us we are to take every thought captive (prisoner). We are to take every and any thought captive that wants to hold us in an Old Covenant/Mosiac Covenant mindset or paradigm. That order has vanished and been dealt with. As Jesus and John both stated, humanity is to repent/change from that way of relating to Father. We not longer relate as a servant. We relate as a son, bride, friend. The sequence of Mark 1:14 and 1:15 show us how to move into a fulfilled time - arrest Old Covenant mindsets to turn to New Covenant realities so we can live out the fullness of what Jesus did. John's arrest was a prophetic event that we need to learn from and follow. Arrest the old so the new advances.  by Eric Reeder
Mark 1:13 In the wilderness (the New Covenant place of being with Father, gaining from Him what you need), Jesus experienced what Adam and Eve experienced in the Garden. We can connect the Garden to the Holy of Holies in the Temple. For us in the Superior Covenant, the wilderness is the same. The wilderness of the Old Testament was more like the outer court, where things had to die to move inward (a generation had to die before going in the promise land). In this wilderness/garden/holy of holies, Jesus is invaded with attempts of deception. Once again, the Last Adam (Jesus), was approached by satan/serpent looking to deceive Him out of the true view of who He was. Deception, at its core, is wrong view of Father and wrong view of self. This leads to all kinds of wrong choices. The serpent deceived Adam by getting him to see himself incorrectly and see Father incorrectly. This led to choices which created damaging consequences and ramifications that rippled throughout. Jesus was faced with these same deceptions. Satan came to cause Jesus to have a wrong view of Himself and wrong view of Father. Matthew 4:1-11 shows satan questioning if Jesus was the Son. This questioning was the attempt to get Jesus to step into PROVING instead of living at rest in the true reality. That's the typical game. If you don't see your sonship, you end up striving to prove through performance what you already are. Satan wanted Jesus to prove His sonship by doing something. Satan presented to Him something to do which was good and even needed (good to have bread and need to eat), but if the motive was to prove His sonship, it was a vain act. The second attempt satan tried was to get Jesus to show off Father. Satan basically said, if You're the Son, jump, and watch Father do something amazing. Once again, deception was trying to get Jesus to prove His sonship by displaying the awesomeness of Father. Now, we want to display the awesomeness and goodness of Father, but if it's being done to prove our sonship/value, then we are showing others Father without knowing Him ourselves. Jesus wasn't falling for it. A last deception came that changed the tactic. This time, the deception wasn't about sonship. It was about a wrong view of Father. Satan offered what wasn't his to buy out the value of Father. Father is the only one worthy of surrender and worship. Satan wanted Jesus to bow and worship. Deception was trying to get Jesus to determine who is worthy of worship and the surrender of our heart. It was calling Jesus to try and ascend the throne to be the Determiner of who gets worshiped. All of these attempts were in effort to create a wrong view of Father (no one can ascend Him or is worthy of worship/surrender), and wrong view of Jesus (His sonship was secured without performance or demand to produce). Deception still works the same with us. We are always being presented with opportunities to respond in ways to PROVE our sonship while doing what is good. The question isn't rather we should do good (overcome evil with good, Romans 12:21), but it's about WHY we are doing good. Then, there are always attempts to get us to surrender and worship something other than Father (fear, doubt, anxiety, performance, law, check lists, approval, success, achieving, proving, etc.). May we walk as Jesus did; secure in sonship and surrendered only to Father. That should always be the result of the wilderness. |
AuthorEric Reeder is joined by other leaders of RISEmovement to reveal the heartbeat of The HOPE-filled Gospel. Archives
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