Hands Up Don't Shoot

Matthew 11:12 
12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.

After weeks of anticipation, grand jury announces decision on whether to indict Officer Darren Wilson, whose fatal shooting of Michael Brown caused national uproar.
FERGUSON, Mo. — A grand jury on Monday declined to indict police officer Darren Wilson in the fatal shooting of an unarmed black teenager, resolving a secretive, months-long legal saga and reigniting powerful frustrations about America’s policing of African Americans.

The decision means that Wilson, 28, will face no state charges for the Aug. 9 shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown. It also set off a show of fury on streets near where Brown was shot, a reflection of emotions that register in this riven city as either out of control or justifiable.

At least two police cars and a half-dozen buildings were set aflame. Not far from Christmas lights in downtown Ferguson that read “Seasons Greetings,” police fired tear-gas canisters to contain the crowds. People looted liquor and convenience stores, a response that ran counter to the peace that Missouri authorities, President Obama and Brown’s family had requested.

Now I’m sure that everyone has their own opinions and their own take on what happened, what is right and what is wrong – however, I believe we spoke out as a Nation…that voice cried, when we are unfairly treated (Especially by Authorities), we will counterattack! This is nothing new people – this is in our DNA. We are Americans and for centuries, we have fought for our right to express ourselves, reveal our character (Even at other’s expense), and demand our voice and opinions be heard. That lies in the fabric of this country. This is something that transcends all races in this country. We can borrow from our history; which I believe we have…

The American Revolution began in 1775 as open conflict between the united thirteen colonies and Great Britain. By the Treaty of Paris that ended the war in 1783, the colonies had won their independence. While no one event can be pointed to as the actual cause of the revolution, the war began as a disagreement over the way in which Great Britain treated the colonies versus the way the colonies felt they should be treated. Americans felt they deserved all the rights of Englishmen. The British, on the other hand, felt that the colonies were created to be used in the way that best suited the crown and parliament. This conflict is embodied in one of the rallying cries of the American Revolution: No Taxation Without Representation.

Having understood this, I have a unique question…where is all this fight, fervor, and passion, when it comes to the Kingdom of God? We hold picket signs, yell and scream, burn down businesses, and fight for our rights – but do very little to stand up for Who we believe in!

Listen, if we have passion and an opinion about the things going on in the world – how much more passion should we have about the One who created the world?!

Jesus died on the cross so that we can be set free, isn’t that worth a voice to cry out? Will you be the mouth piece God needs in these last days?

People are rioting in the streets, setting buildings on fire in the name of someone who is dead…can’t we preach in the streets and get set ON fire for someone who is risen from the dead?!?!

Rom. 1: 16 – ‘I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ…’

All of You Lord

John 6:53-58

53 Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. 55 For My flesh is food indeed,[a] and My blood is drink indeed. 56 He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. 57 As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me. 58 This is the bread which came down from heaven—not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever.”

John 6:66-69
66 From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. 67 Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?” 68 But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.

The Power in Consuming Sacrifices

Let’s go back through Jewish history quickly:

(Leviticus 6:9-10)  
"And that which is left thereof [from the meal-offering] shall Aaron and his sons eat; it shall be eaten without leaven in a holy place; in the tent of meeting they shall eat it…it is most holy as the sin-offering and the guilt-offering 

When the Jewish people were in the wilderness before they entered the land of Israel, the consumption of meat was associated with holiness. Every piece of meat consumed came from an animal sacrificed in the Mishkan (Sanctuary), an act meant to bring the worshiper closer to God. The word korban (sacrifice) is related to le-karev, to come close. Through the sacrifice, worshipers felt they were giving themselves vicariously to God.

In the times of the Mishkan the consumption of meat was not something taken for granted, as it generally is today. Each sacrifice had a definite purpose: to offer thanksgiving, to atone for a sin, to commemorate a holy day (such as the Korban Pesach, or Paschal Lamb), or to make one feel closer to God.

Those offering a sacrifice felt that they were giving up something from their prized possessions. People owned animals as sources of labor or food, as well as a form of capital; hence slaughtering them in connection with the Temple rites was a sacrifice of a precious source of income and food.

The animal was not considered just a distant commodity as is generally the case in today's world of corporate agriculture; rather, it was a creature that the owner raised and saw on a daily basis, and whose needs were a matter of personal responsibility and even concern.

Jesus called Himself the ultimate sacrifice, and He called His body, ‘The Temple’ – this is where the sacrifices were to be consumed, until after the people entered the Promised Land…then sacrifices could be consumed elsewhere.  To consume His blood, was to partake in His holy communion understanding that the shedding (Or sprinkling of blood) was to be remembered forever.

Jesus and the people understood what He was saying – His sacrifice wasn’t random, unnecessary, or common…there was relationship involved and concern. Sacrifice was more than the quality of the animal being sacrificed, there was personal involvement with the development and nurture of the beast before the slaughter – there was personal cost involved! This is what Jesus was bringing to light!

The same truth still applies today – people go to church at random, they play Russian Roulette on the web or phone book…however, long lasting faith is borne out of  relationship – care – concern, not FANATICS

Finally, did you hear the desperate cry of Peter?

Peter answered Jesus saying, ‘What else is there?’

- What am I gonna do? Go back to the world?
- Where am I going to go? Back to my old ways?
- Do you really believe I’m going to revisit my pig slop?
- I’ve made a mess of my life, now that I have a religious experience, that’s going to be enough to go on?

Peter said, ‘LORD, I NEED YOU FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE’ – is this your testimony?

Is Jesus like unemployment? He’s just enough to get you through to the next Opportunity?

 His blood was poured out for you, so that you can walk in the newness of life.