(5559,153,'2012-03-22 11:31:04','2012-03-22 18:31:04','<h2>The Ongoing Identity Theft of Jesus</h2>\nThe divinity of Jesus has been questioned for thousands of years.\n\nIt\'s not surprising that one of the first recorded instances of this divine doubt occurred before Jesus officially started his ministry and was fasting for 40 days. According to the gospel of Matthew, it was during that stretch, the devil approached Jesus in the desert and questioning the Lord\'s deistic attributes.\n<h3>Appealing to Appetite</h3>\nWe read in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A3-4&amp;version=NKJV\">Matthew 4:3-4</a> that the tempter questioned that if Jesus was indeed the Son of God, then Jesus would be able to turn nearby rock piles warmed by the sun into piles of warm bread. Jesus parried with the classic, \"...man shall not live by bread alone...\" block despite the gnawing hunger in his human belly. This exchange clearly shows that both individuals knew that Jesus was both God and man.\n<h3>Appealing to Prophecy</h3>\nThroughout this particular passage the devil quotes scripture to Jesus, as seen in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A5-7&amp;version=NIV\">Matthew 4:5-7</a>, where the adversary asserts that Jesus could fling himself from the cliff and the \"...angels would bear him up...\" in a seeming appeal to prophecy written centuries before that the Messiah would have to die. Jesus didn\'t fall for it - figuratively nor literally. The scriptures state that Jesus was closely attuned to the will and timing of God, further solidifying his deity identity.\n<h3>Appealing to Compassion</h3>\nThe chapter goes on to state in <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Matthew+4.8-11/\">Matthew 4:8-11</a> that the devil changed tactics and tried to appeal to Christ\'s love of humanity by offering the world which had been subject to demonic control since The Fall in Eden in exchange for Jesus falling to his knees in worship of the first fallen angel.\n\nHad Jesus agreed to this quick-fix alternative to salvation - and he could have - the earth might have been redeemed but not the way that God had wanted. Jesus knew that because of his celestial connection to the father.\n\nOne stern rebuke from Jesus and the devil left - while Jesus\' divinity was challenged in was not diminished in any way.\n\nHowever, had Jesus yielded to any of those temptation attempts it would have resulted in the most epic identity theft in the history of the universe because the devil would have ascended above the Most High.\n\nAgain Jesus\' divine identity prevented that.\n\nOther Divine Identity Theft Attempts\n\nThroughout the remainder of Jesus\' recorded life, the scriptures state that his heavenly sonship continued to be questioned. Perhaps most notable are several examples at the time of his crucifixion:\n\nRoman guards beat and mocked Jesus demanding a display of his power - <a href=\"http://bible.cc/luke/22-64.htm\">Luke 22:64</a> and <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A36-38&amp;version=AMP\">Luke 23:36-38</a>\n\nThe magistrate Herod demanded a sign or miracle - <a href=\"http://www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?q=Luke%2023:8-11\">Luke 23: 8-11</a>\n\nOne of the thieves crucified along side of Jesus also demanded a sign or m\n\n&nbsp;','Hijacking Jesus\' Identity','','inherit','open','open','','5552-revision-7','','','2012-03-22 11:31:04','2012-03-22 18:31:04','',5552,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/22/5552-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(5560,1,'2012-03-22 13:50:54','2012-03-22 20:50:54','Rest is good. We are creatures with a desire to rest built into our systems. Sure, many of us choose to ignore this part of our design, and would rather fill the Sabbath times with as many distractions as possible. But sooner or later, running our bodies like this will shut them down. Our very Creator rested, not necessarily because He needed it but as a model for how we should approach living.\n\nHe also designed the Sabbath so we can reflect on our limitations, and how it is only through Him we really get anything done.\n\n“Moreover, I gave them my Sabbaths, as a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the Lord who sanctifies them. ” Ezekiel 20:12\n\nThe world and culture in which we as humans are tasked to care for and maintain was specifically created to include Sabbath times. There is darkness, each night, for Sabbath hours. There are weekends, each week, for Sabbath days. There are sunny weeks and months of summer, each year, for Sabbath vacations.\n\nThere is retirement, when we get older, for Sabbath seasons.\n\nGod wants us to rest. But are we really doing it? When is the last time that your Sabbath rest really accomplished the goal of entering God’s rest?\n\n“So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.” Hebrews 4:9-11\n\nGranted, the question here is not whether you are strictly observing Saturday or Sunday as your Sabbath day, or summer vacation as your Sabbath time. We have freedom in Christ and there is freedom in when we share that time.\n\nThe question is…are you resting at all?\n\nI know that I tend to err on the side of not resting. I try and load in as much stuff as I can, often to the point of failing to meet some of my commitments simply because I have made too many. But our rest is divinely instituted. Who am I to ignore that part of God’s command? When you work and work without resting, it is as if you are telling God that you can handle it on your own. You don’t need His rest.\n\n“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.” Matthew 11:28-30\n\nI have recently really had this lesson brought down on me the hard way. As a senior in high school, I felt God call me into pastoral ministry. It is a calling I still cling to, and I am, for the first time, feeling Him lead me into ministry rather than simply put the calling in me.\n\nFor the past several years, I have been working in my own strength, trying to accomplish as much as possible on my own.\n\nAnd I realized that I wasn’t doing very much.\n\nI wasn’t doing much because I wasn’t setting aside time to rest. But it is when we rest in our Creator that we are empowered to do the big stuff He wants us to do. It is when we take the time to soak Him in that we are able to pour Him out.\n\nThat being said, I am fully planning on resting as much as I can this summer. I have not taken the opportunity to do it since I was a kid, where summers of Sabbath are probably best experienced. But until we realize that we cannot work without rest…\n\n…I wonder if we will ever reach our real calling?\n\nI will be praying that you find time to rest, worship in your rest, and realize the power you have when you aren’t struggling to get work done with just your own puny strength. Don’t ever feel bad for relaxing from your work.\n\n“And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.” Mark 6:31\n\nNow I am going to lay on the porch.','The Habit of Shabbat','','inherit','open','open','','5463-autosave','','','2012-03-22 13:50:54','2012-03-22 20:50:54','',5463,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/22/5463-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(5561,1,'2012-03-22 13:57:54','2012-03-22 20:57:54','','dog on a couch','','inherit','open','open','','dog-on-a-couch','','','2012-03-22 13:57:54','2012-03-22 20:57:54','',5463,'http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/dog-on-a-couch.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(5562,1,'2012-03-22 14:00:11','2012-03-22 21:00:11','','rocking chairs','','inherit','open','open','','rocking-chairs','','','2012-03-22 14:00:11','2012-03-22 21:00:11','',5463,'http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/rocking-chairs.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(5563,1,'2012-03-15 05:58:06','2012-03-15 12:58:06','Rest is good. We are creatures with a desire to rest built into our systems. Sure, many of us choose to ignore this part of our design, and would rather fill the Sabbath times with as many distractions as possible. But sooner or later, running our bodies like this will shut them down. Our very Creator rested, not necessarily because He needed it but as a model for how we should approach living.\r\n\r\nHe also designed the Sabbath so we can reflect on our limitations, and how it is only through Him we really get anything done.\r\n\r\n“Moreover, I gave them my Sabbaths, as a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the Lord who sanctifies them. ” Ezekiel 20:12\r\n\r\nThe world and culture in which we as humans are tasked to care for and maintain was specifically created to include Sabbath times. There is darkness, each night, for Sabbath hours. There are weekends, each week, for Sabbath days. There are sunny weeks and months of summer, each year, for Sabbath vacations.\r\n\r\nThere is retirement, when we get older, for Sabbath seasons.\r\n\r\nGod wants us to rest. But are we really doing it? When is the last time that your Sabbath rest really accomplished the goal of entering God’s rest?\r\n\r\n“So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.” Hebrews 4:9-11\r\n\r\nGranted, the question here is not whether you are strictly observing Saturday or Sunday as your Sabbath day, or summer vacation as your Sabbath time. We have freedom in Christ and there is freedom in when we share that time.\r\n\r\nThe question is…are you resting at all?\r\n\r\nI know that I tend to err on the side of not resting. I try and load in as much stuff as I can, often to the point of failing to meet some of my commitments simply because I have made too many. But our rest is divinely instituted. Who am I to ignore that part of God’s command? When you work and work without resting, it is as if you are telling God that you can handle it on your own. You don’t need His rest.\r\n\r\n“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.” Matthew 11:28-30\r\n\r\nI have recently really had this lesson brought down on me the hard way. As a senior in high school, I felt God call me into pastoral ministry. It is a calling I still cling to, and I am, for the first time, feeling Him lead me into ministry rather than simply put the calling in me.\r\n\r\nFor the past several years, I have been working in my own strength, trying to accomplish as much as possible on my own.\r\n\r\nAnd I realized that I wasn’t doing very much.\r\n\r\nI wasn’t doing much because I wasn’t setting aside time to rest. But it is when we rest in our Creator that we are empowered to do the big stuff He wants us to do. It is when we take the time to soak Him in that we are able to pour Him out.\r\n\r\nThat being said, I am fully planning on resting as much as I can this summer. I have not taken the opportunity to do it since I was a kid, where summers of Sabbath are probably best experienced. But until we realize that we cannot work without rest…\r\n\r\n…I wonder if we will ever reach our real calling?\r\n\r\nI will be praying that you find time to rest, worship in your rest, and realize the power you have when you aren’t struggling to get work done with just your own puny strength. Don’t ever feel bad for relaxing from your work.\r\n\r\n“And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.” Mark 6:31\r\n\r\nNow I am going to lay on the porch.','The Habit of Shabbat','','inherit','open','open','','5463-revision-2','','','2012-03-15 05:58:06','2012-03-15 12:58:06','',5463,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/15/5463-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(5564,153,'2012-03-22 14:12:49','2012-03-22 21:12:49','<h2>The Ongoing Identity Theft of Jesus</h2>\nThe divinity of Jesus has been questioned for thousands of years.\n\nIt\'s not surprising that one of the first recorded instances of this divine doubt occurred before Jesus officially started his ministry and was fasting for 40 days. According to the gospel of Matthew, it was during that stretch, the devil approached Jesus in the desert and questioning the Lord\'s deistic attributes.\n<h3>Appealing to Appetite</h3>\nWe read in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A3-4&amp;version=NKJV\">Matthew 4:3-4</a> that the tempter questioned that if Jesus was indeed the Son of God, then Jesus would be able to turn nearby rock piles warmed by the sun into piles of warm bread. Jesus parried with the classic, \"...man shall not live by bread alone...\" block despite the gnawing hunger in his human belly. This exchange clearly shows that both individuals knew that Jesus was both God and man.\n<h3>Appealing to Prophecy</h3>\nThroughout this particular passage the devil quotes scripture to Jesus, as seen in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A5-7&amp;version=NIV\">Matthew 4:5-7</a>, where the adversary asserts that Jesus could fling himself from the cliff and the \"...angels would bear him up...\" in a seeming appeal to prophecy written centuries before that the Messiah would have to die. Jesus didn\'t fall for it - figuratively nor literally. The scriptures state that Jesus was closely attuned to the will and timing of God, further solidifying his deity identity.\n<h3>Appealing to Compassion</h3>\nThe chapter goes on to state in <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Matthew+4.8-11/\">Matthew 4:8-11</a> that the devil changed tactics and tried to appeal to Christ\'s love of humanity by offering the world which had been subject to demonic control since The Fall in Eden in exchange for Jesus falling to his knees in worship of the first fallen angel.\n\nHad Jesus agreed to this quick-fix alternative to salvation - and he could have - the earth might have been redeemed but not the way that God had wanted. Jesus knew that because of his celestial connection to the father.\n\nOne stern rebuke from Jesus and the devil left - while Jesus\' divinity was challenged in was not diminished in any way.\n\nHowever, had Jesus yielded to any of those temptation attempts it would have resulted in the most epic identity theft in the history of the universe because the devil would have ascended above the Most High.\n\nAgain Jesus\' divine identity prevented that.\n<h3>Other Divine Identity Theft Attempts</h3>\nThroughout the remainder of Jesus\' recorded life, the scriptures state that his heavenly sonship continued to be questioned. Perhaps most notable are several examples at the time of his crucifixion:\n<ul>\n	<li>Roman guards beat and mocked Jesus demanding a display of his power - <a href=\"http://bible.cc/luke/22-64.htm\">Luke 22:64</a> and <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A36-38&amp;version=AMP\">Luke 23:36-38</a></li>\n	<li>The magistrate Herod demanded a sign or miracle - <a href=\"http://www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?q=Luke%2023:8-11\">Luke 23: 8-11</a></li>\n	<li>One of the thieves crucified along side of Jesus also demanded a sign and power display - <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Luke+23.39-43/\">Luke 23:39-43</a></li>\n	<li>As well as local leaders who stood and watched him die mocked Jesus\' divinity - <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A33-35&amp;version=NIV\">Luke 33:35</a></li>\n</ul>\n<h3>Restraint Was Jesus\' Greatest Miracle</h3>\nOne of the most interesting yet overlooked aspects of Jesus\' identity was that he never felt compelled to prove himself to anybody. Jesus wasn\'t moved to miracles by violence, coerscion or even threat of death. He was moved by compassion, faith and recognize that he was who he said he was.\n\nEven while hanging on the cross, admist the sneering jeers to save himself and thereby prove himself to the people, Jesus knew that if he came down off that tree his identity as a sinless sacrifice and sole path for re\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Hijacking Jesus\' Identity','','inherit','open','open','','5552-revision-8','','','2012-03-22 14:12:49','2012-03-22 21:12:49','',5552,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/22/5552-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(5565,153,'2012-03-22 14:25:27','2012-03-22 21:25:27','<h2>The Ongoing Identity Theft of Jesus</h2>\nThe divinity of Jesus has been questioned for thousands of years.\n\nIt\'s not surprising that one of the first recorded instances of this divine doubt occurred before Jesus officially started his ministry and was fasting for 40 days. According to the gospel of Matthew, it was during that stretch, the devil approached Jesus in the desert and questioning the Lord\'s deistic attributes.\n<h3>Appealing to Appetite</h3>\nWe read in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A3-4&amp;version=NKJV\">Matthew 4:3-4</a> that the tempter questioned that if Jesus was indeed the Son of God, then Jesus would be able to turn nearby rock piles warmed by the sun into piles of warm bread. Jesus parried with the classic, \"...man shall not live by bread alone...\" block despite the gnawing hunger in his human belly. This exchange clearly shows that both individuals knew that Jesus was both God and man.\n<h3>Appealing to Prophecy</h3>\nThroughout this particular passage the devil quotes scripture to Jesus, as seen in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A5-7&amp;version=NIV\">Matthew 4:5-7</a>, where the adversary asserts that Jesus could fling himself from the cliff and the \"...angels would bear him up...\" in a seeming appeal to prophecy written centuries before that the Messiah would have to die. Jesus didn\'t fall for it - figuratively nor literally. The scriptures state that Jesus was closely attuned to the will and timing of God, further solidifying his deity identity.\n<h3>Appealing to Compassion</h3>\nThe chapter goes on to state in <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Matthew+4.8-11/\">Matthew 4:8-11</a> that the devil changed tactics and tried to appeal to Christ\'s love of humanity by offering the world which had been subject to demonic control since The Fall in Eden in exchange for Jesus falling to his knees in worship of the first fallen angel.\n\nHad Jesus agreed to this quick-fix alternative to salvation - and he could have - the earth might have been redeemed but not the way that God had wanted. Jesus knew that because of his celestial connection to the father.\n\nOne stern rebuke from Jesus and the devil left - while Jesus\' divinity was challenged in was not diminished in any way.\n\nHowever, had Jesus yielded to any of those temptation attempts it would have resulted in the most epic identity theft in the history of the universe because the devil would have ascended above the Most High.\n\nAgain Jesus\' divine identity prevented that.\n<h3>Other Divine Identity Theft Attempts</h3>\nThroughout the remainder of Jesus\' recorded life, the scriptures state that his heavenly sonship continued to be questioned. Perhaps most notable are several examples at the time of his crucifixion:\n<ul>\n	<li>Roman guards beat and mocked Jesus demanding a display of his power - <a href=\"http://bible.cc/luke/22-64.htm\">Luke 22:64</a> and <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A36-38&amp;version=AMP\">Luke 23:36-38</a></li>\n	<li>The magistrate Herod demanded a sign or miracle - <a href=\"http://www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?q=Luke%2023:8-11\">Luke 23: 8-11</a></li>\n	<li>One of the thieves crucified along side of Jesus also demanded a sign and power display - <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Luke+23.39-43/\">Luke 23:39-43</a></li>\n	<li>As well as local leaders who stood and watched him die mocked Jesus\' divinity - <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A33-35&amp;version=NIV\">Luke 33:35</a></li>\n</ul>\n<h3>Restraint Was Jesus\' Greatest Miracle</h3>\nOne of the most interesting yet overlooked aspects of Jesus\' identity was that he never felt compelled to prove himself to anybody. Jesus wasn\'t moved to miracles by violence, coerscion or even threat of death. He was moved by compassion, faith and recognize that he was who he said he was.\n\nEven while hanging on the cross, amidst the sneering jeers to save himself and thereby prove his divintiy to the people, Jesus knew that if he came down off that tree his identity as a sinless sacrifice and sole path for redemption would have been abdicated and his divine mission forfeited.\n\nJesus was the only one who knew that, and his restraint to maintain that identity ultimately reconciled us back to the Father.\n<h3>Hijacking Jesus\'s Identity Today</h3>\nFast forward 2,000 years to the current era and we constantly, albeit unwittingly, try to strip Jesus of his divinity today. When believers and non-believers alike give God an ultimatum that they will only believe in him if he acts or intervenes on their behalf for healing, finances, peace, relational restoration or any other legitimate need - how are we any different than those we\'ve looked at who goaded God such as the robber, Herod, the centurions or even satan?\n\nWe aren\'t.\n\nWhile Jesus had every right and a legitimate claim to quell the demands of his identity, he didn\'t. Rather than making similar demands of him ourselves during trials and tribulations we experience, perhaps we\'re better served by relating with his\n\n&nbsp;','Hijacking Jesus\' Identity','','inherit','open','open','','5552-revision-9','','','2012-03-22 14:25:27','2012-03-22 21:25:27','',5552,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/22/5552-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(5566,153,'2012-03-22 14:31:49','2012-03-22 21:31:49','<h2>The Ongoing Identity Theft of Jesus</h2>\nThe divinity of Jesus has been questioned for thousands of years.\n\nIt\'s not surprising that one of the first recorded instances of this divine doubt occurred before Jesus officially started his ministry and was fasting for 40 days. According to the gospel of Matthew, it was during that stretch, the devil approached Jesus in the desert and questioning the Lord\'s deistic attributes.\n<h3>Appealing to Appetite</h3>\nWe read in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A3-4&amp;version=NKJV\">Matthew 4:3-4</a> that the tempter questioned that if Jesus was indeed the Son of God, then Jesus would be able to turn nearby rock piles warmed by the sun into piles of warm bread. Jesus parried with the classic, \"...man shall not live by bread alone...\" block despite the gnawing hunger in his human belly. This exchange clearly shows that both individuals knew that Jesus was both God and man.\n<h3>Appealing to Prophecy</h3>\nThroughout this particular passage the devil quotes scripture to Jesus, as seen in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A5-7&amp;version=NIV\">Matthew 4:5-7</a>, where the adversary asserts that Jesus could fling himself from the cliff and the \"...angels would bear him up...\" in a seeming appeal to prophecy written centuries before that the Messiah would have to die. Jesus didn\'t fall for it - figuratively nor literally. The scriptures state that Jesus was closely attuned to the will and timing of God, further solidifying his deity identity.\n<h3>Appealing to Compassion</h3>\nThe chapter goes on to state in <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Matthew+4.8-11/\">Matthew 4:8-11</a> that the devil changed tactics and tried to appeal to Christ\'s love of humanity by offering the world which had been subject to demonic control since The Fall in Eden in exchange for Jesus falling to his knees in worship of the first fallen angel.\n\nHad Jesus agreed to this quick-fix alternative to salvation - and he could have - the earth might have been redeemed but not the way that God had wanted. Jesus knew that because of his celestial connection to the father.\n\nOne stern rebuke from Jesus and the devil left - while Jesus\' divinity was challenged in was not diminished in any way.\n\nHowever, had Jesus yielded to any of those temptation attempts it would have resulted in the most epic identity theft in the history of the universe because the devil would have ascended above the Most High.\n\nAgain Jesus\' divine identity prevented that.\n<h3>Other Divine Identity Theft Attempts</h3>\nThroughout the remainder of Jesus\' recorded life, the scriptures state that his heavenly sonship continued to be questioned. Perhaps most notable are several examples at the time of his crucifixion:\n<ul>\n	<li>Roman guards beat and mocked Jesus demanding a display of his power - <a href=\"http://bible.cc/luke/22-64.htm\">Luke 22:64</a> and <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A36-38&amp;version=AMP\">Luke 23:36-38</a></li>\n	<li>The magistrate Herod demanded a sign or miracle - <a href=\"http://www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?q=Luke%2023:8-11\">Luke 23: 8-11</a></li>\n	<li>One of the thieves crucified along side of Jesus also demanded a sign and power display - <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Luke+23.39-43/\">Luke 23:39-43</a></li>\n	<li>As well as local leaders who stood and watched him die mocked Jesus\' divinity - <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A33-35&amp;version=NIV\">Luke 33:35</a></li>\n</ul>\n<h3>Restraint Was Jesus\' Greatest Miracle</h3>\nOne of the most interesting yet overlooked aspects of Jesus\' identity was that he never felt compelled to prove himself to anybody. Jesus wasn\'t moved to miracles by violence, coerscion or even threat of death. He was moved by compassion, faith and recognize that he was who he said he was.\n\nEven while hanging on the cross, amidst the sneering jeers to save himself and thereby prove his divintiy to the people, Jesus knew that if he came down off that tree his identity as a sinless sacrifice and sole path for redemption would have been abdicated and his divine mission forfeited.\n\nJesus was the only one who knew that, and his restraint to maintain that identity ultimately reconciled us back to the Father.\n<h3>Hijacking Jesus\'s Identity Today</h3>\nFast forward 2,000 years to the current era where we routinely, albeit unwittingly perhaps, try to strip Jesus of his divinity today. When believers and non-believers alike give God an ultimatum that they will only believe in him if he acts or intervenes on their behalf for healing, finances, peace, relational restoration or any other legitimate need - how are we any different than those we\'ve looked at who goaded God to act such as the robber, Herod, the centurions or even satan?\n\nWe aren\'t.\n\nHopefully we can identify with that fact and seek pe\n\n&nbsp;','Hijacking Jesus\' Identity','','inherit','open','open','','5552-revision-10','','','2012-03-22 14:31:49','2012-03-22 21:31:49','',5552,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/22/5552-revision-10/',0,'revision','',0),(5567,153,'2012-03-22 14:34:30','2012-03-22 21:34:30','<h2>The Ongoing Identity Theft of Jesus</h2>\nThe divinity of Jesus has been questioned for thousands of years.\n\nIt\'s not surprising that one of the first recorded instances of this divine doubt occurred before Jesus officially started his ministry and was fasting for 40 days. According to the gospel of Matthew, it was during that stretch, the devil approached Jesus in the desert and questioning the Lord\'s deistic attributes.\n<h3>Appealing to Appetite</h3>\nWe read in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A3-4&amp;version=NKJV\">Matthew 4:3-4</a> that the tempter questioned that if Jesus was indeed the Son of God, then Jesus would be able to turn nearby rock piles warmed by the sun into piles of warm bread. Jesus parried with the classic, \"...man shall not live by bread alone...\" block despite the gnawing hunger in his human belly. This exchange clearly shows that both individuals knew that Jesus was both God and man.\n<h3>Appealing to Prophecy</h3>\nThroughout this particular passage the devil quotes scripture to Jesus, as seen in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A5-7&amp;version=NIV\">Matthew 4:5-7</a>, where the adversary asserts that Jesus could fling himself from the cliff and the \"...angels would bear him up...\" in a seeming appeal to prophecy written centuries before that the Messiah would have to die. Jesus didn\'t fall for it - figuratively nor literally. The scriptures state that Jesus was closely attuned to the will and timing of God, further solidifying his deity identity.\n<h3>Appealing to Compassion</h3>\nThe chapter goes on to state in <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Matthew+4.8-11/\">Matthew 4:8-11</a> that the devil changed tactics and tried to appeal to Christ\'s love of humanity by offering the world which had been subject to demonic control since The Fall in Eden in exchange for Jesus falling to his knees in worship of the first fallen angel.\n\nHad Jesus agreed to this quick-fix alternative to salvation - and he could have - the earth might have been redeemed but not the way that God had wanted. Jesus knew that because of his celestial connection to the father.\n\nOne stern rebuke from Jesus and the devil left - while Jesus\' divinity was challenged in was not diminished in any way.\n\nHowever, had Jesus yielded to any of those temptation attempts it would have resulted in the most epic identity theft in the history of the universe because the devil would have ascended above the Most High.\n\nAgain Jesus\' divine identity prevented that.\n<h3>Other Divine Identity Theft Attempts</h3>\nThroughout the remainder of Jesus\' recorded life, the scriptures state that his heavenly sonship continued to be questioned. Perhaps most notable are several examples at the time of his crucifixion:\n<ul>\n	<li>Roman guards beat and mocked Jesus demanding a display of his power - <a href=\"http://bible.cc/luke/22-64.htm\">Luke 22:64</a> and <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A36-38&amp;version=AMP\">Luke 23:36-38</a></li>\n	<li>The magistrate Herod demanded a sign or miracle - <a href=\"http://www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?q=Luke%2023:8-11\">Luke 23: 8-11</a></li>\n	<li>One of the thieves crucified along side of Jesus also demanded a sign and power display - <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Luke+23.39-43/\">Luke 23:39-43</a></li>\n	<li>As well as local leaders who stood and watched him die mocked Jesus\' divinity - <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A33-35&amp;version=NIV\">Luke 33:35</a></li>\n</ul>\n<h3>Restraint Was Jesus\' Greatest Miracle</h3>\nOne of the most interesting yet overlooked aspects of Jesus\' identity was that he never felt compelled to prove himself to anybody. Jesus wasn\'t moved to miracles by violence, coerscion or even threat of death. He was moved by compassion, faith and recognize that he was who he said he was.\n\nEven while hanging on the cross, amidst the sneering jeers to save himself and thereby prove his divintiy to the people, Jesus knew that if he came down off that tree his identity as a sinless sacrifice and sole path for redemption would have been abdicated and his divine mission forfeited.\n\nJesus was the only one who knew that, and his restraint to maintain that identity ultimately reconciled us back to the Father.\n<h3>Hijacking Jesus\'s Identity Today</h3>\nFast forward 2,000 years to the current era where we routinely, albeit unwittingly perhaps, try to strip Jesus of his divinity today. When believers and non-believers alike give God an ultimatum that they will only believe in him if he acts or intervenes on their behalf for healing, finances, peace, relational restoration or any other legitimate need - how are we any different than those we\'ve looked at who goaded God to act such as the robber, Herod, the centurions or even satan?\n\nWe aren\'t.\n\nHopefully we can identify with that fact and find grace waiting\n\n&nbsp;','Hijacking Jesus\' Identity','','inherit','open','open','','5552-revision-11','','','2012-03-22 14:34:30','2012-03-22 21:34:30','',5552,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/22/5552-revision-11/',0,'revision','',0),(5568,153,'2012-03-22 14:39:51','2012-03-22 21:39:51','<h2>The Ongoing Identity Theft of Jesus</h2>\nThe divinity of Jesus has been questioned for thousands of years.\n\nIt\'s not surprising that one of the first recorded instances of this divine doubt occurred before Jesus officially started his ministry. According to the gospel of Matthew, Jesus was fasting in the desert for 40 days when the devil approached Jesus in the wasteland and questioning the Lord\'s deistic attributes.\n<h3>Appealing to Appetite</h3>\nWe read in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A3-4&amp;version=NKJV\">Matthew 4:3-4</a> that the tempter questioned that if Jesus was indeed the Son of God, then Jesus would be able to turn nearby rock piles warmed by the sun into piles of warm bread. Jesus parried with the classic, \"...<em>man shall not live by bread alone...</em>\" verbal retort despite the gnawing hunger in his human belly. This exchange clearly shows that both individuals knew that Jesus was both God and man.\n<h3>Appealing to Prophecy</h3>\nSubsequently the devil quotes scripture to Jesus, as seen in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A5-7&amp;version=NIV\">Matthew 4:5-7</a>, where the adversary asserts that Jesus could fling himself from the cliff and the \"<em>...angels would bear him up...</em>\" in a seeming appeal for Jesus to fulfill prophecy written centuries before that the Messiah would have to die. Jesus didn\'t fall for it - figuratively nor literally. The scriptures state that Jesus was closely attuned to the will and timing of God, and that his time of death had not yet come - further solidifying his deity identity.\n<h3>Appealing to Compassion</h3>\nThe chapter goes on to state in <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Matthew+4.8-11/\">Matthew 4:8-11</a> that the devil changed tactics and tried to appeal to Christ\'s love of humanity by offering the world which had been subjected to demonic control since The Fall in Eden in exchange for Jesus falling to his knees in worship of the first fallen angel.\n\nHad Jesus agreed to this quick-fix alternative to salvation - and he could have - the earth might have been redeemed but not the way that God had wanted. Jesus knew thbecause of his celestial connection to the father.\n\nOne stern rebuke from Jesus and the devil left - while Jesus\' divinity was challenged in was not diminished in any way.\n\nHowever, had Jesus yielded to any of those temptation attempts it would have resulted in the most epic identity theft in the history of the universe because the devil would have ascended above the Most High.\n\nAgain Jesus\' divine identity prevented that.\n<h3>Other Divine Identity Theft Attempts</h3>\nThroughout the remainder of Jesus\' recorded life, the scriptures state that his heavenly sonship continued to be questioned. Perhaps most notable are several examples at the time of his crucifixion:\n<ul>\n	<li>Roman guards beat and mocked Jesus demanding a display of his power - <a href=\"http://bible.cc/luke/22-64.htm\">Luke 22:64</a> and <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A36-38&amp;version=AMP\">Luke 23:36-38</a></li>\n	<li>The magistrate Herod demanded a sign or miracle - <a href=\"http://www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?q=Luke%2023:8-11\">Luke 23: 8-11</a></li>\n	<li>One of the thieves crucified along side of Jesus also demanded a sign and power display - <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Luke+23.39-43/\">Luke 23:39-43</a></li>\n	<li>As well as local leaders who stood and watched him die mocked Jesus\' divinity - <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A33-35&amp;version=NIV\">Luke 33:35</a></li>\n</ul>\n<h3>Restraint Was Jesus\' Greatest Miracle</h3>\nOne of the most interesting yet overlooked aspects of Jesus\' identity was that he never felt compelled to prove himself to anybody. Jesus wasn\'t moved to miracles by violence, coerscion or even threat of death. He was moved by compassion, faith and recognize that he was who he said he was.\n\nEven while hanging on the cross, amidst the sneering jeers to save himself and thereby prove his divintiy to the people, Jesus knew that if he came down off that tree his identity as a sinless sacrifice and sole path for redemption would have been abdicated and his divine mission forfeited.\n\nJesus was the only one who knew that, and his restraint to maintain that identity ultimately reconciled us back to the Father.\n<h3>Hijacking Jesus\'s Identity Today</h3>\nFast forward 2,000 years to the current era where we routinely, albeit unwittingly perhaps, try to strip Jesus of his divinity today. When believers and non-believers alike give God an ultimatum that they will only believe in him if he acts or intervenes on their behalf for healing, finances, peace, relational restoration or any other legitimate need - how are we any different than those we\'ve looked at who goaded God to act such as the robber, Herod, the centurions or even satan?\n\nWe aren\'t.\n\nHopefully we can identify with that fact and find grace waiting.\n\n&nbsp;','Hijacking Jesus\' Identity','','inherit','open','open','','5552-revision-12','','','2012-03-22 14:39:51','2012-03-22 21:39:51','',5552,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/22/5552-revision-12/',0,'revision','',0),(5569,153,'2012-03-22 14:47:42','2012-03-22 21:47:42','<h2>The Ongoing Identity Theft of Jesus</h2>\nThe divinity of Jesus has been questioned for thousands of years.\n\nIt\'s not surprising that one of the first recorded instances of this divine doubt occurred before Jesus officially started his ministry. According to the gospel of Matthew, Jesus was fasting in the desert for 40 days when the devil approached Jesus in the wasteland and questioning the Lord\'s deistic attributes.\n<h3>Appealing to Appetite</h3>\nWe read in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A3-4&amp;version=NKJV\">Matthew 4:3-4</a> that the tempter questioned that if Jesus was indeed the Son of God, then Jesus would be able to turn nearby rock piles warmed by the sun into piles of warm bread. Jesus parried with the classic, \"...<em>man shall not live by bread alone...</em>\" verbal retort despite the gnawing hunger in his human belly. This exchange clearly shows that both individuals knew that Jesus was both God and man.\n<h3>Appealing to Prophecy</h3>\nSubsequently the devil quotes scripture to Jesus, as seen in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A5-7&amp;version=NIV\">Matthew 4:5-7</a>, where the adversary asserts that Jesus could fling himself from the cliff and the \"<em>...angels would bear him up...</em>\" in a seeming appeal for Jesus to fulfill prophecy written centuries before that the Messiah would have to die. Jesus didn\'t fall for it - figuratively nor literally. The scriptures state that Jesus was closely attuned to the will and timing of God, and that his time of death had not yet come - further solidifying his deity identity.\n<h3>Appealing to Compassion</h3>\nThe chapter goes on to state in <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Matthew+4.8-11/\">Matthew 4:8-11</a> that the devil changed tactics and tried to appeal to Christ\'s love of humanity by offering the world which had been subjected to demonic control since The Fall in Eden in exchange for Jesus falling to his knees in worship of the first fallen angel.\n\nHad Jesus agreed to this quick-fix alternative to salvation - and he could have - the earth might have been redeemed but not the way that God had wanted. Jesus understood that fact because of his celestial connection to the Father.\n\nOne stern rebuke from Jesus and the devil left - while Jesus\' divinity was challenged in was not diminished in any way.\n\nHowever, had Jesus yielded to any of those temptation attempts it would have resulted in the most epic identity theft in the history of the universe because the devil would have ascended above the Most High.\n\nAgain Jesus\' divine identity prevented that theft from happening.\n<h3>Other Divine Identity Theft Attempts</h3>\nThroughout the remainder of Jesus\' recorded life, the scriptures state that his heavenly sonship continued to be questioned. Perhaps most notable are several examples at the time of his crucifixion:\n<ul>\n	<li>Roman guards beat and mocked Jesus demanding a display of his power - <a href=\"http://bible.cc/luke/22-64.htm\">Luke 22:64</a> and <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A36-38&amp;version=AMP\">Luke 23:36-38</a></li>\n	<li>The magistrate Herod demanded a sign or miracle - <a href=\"http://www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?q=Luke%2023:8-11\">Luke 23: 8-11</a></li>\n	<li>One of the thieves crucified along side of Jesus also demanded a sign and power display - <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Luke+23.39-43/\">Luke 23:39-43</a></li>\n	<li>As well as local leaders who stood and watched Jesus die mocking his divinity claim - <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A33-35&amp;version=NIV\">Luke 33:35</a></li>\n</ul>\n<h3>Restraint Was Jesus\' Greatest Miracle</h3>\nOne of the most interesting yet overlooked aspects of Jesus\' identity was that he never felt compelled to prove himself to anybody. Throughout all of scripture, Jesus wasn\'t moved to perform miracles by violence, coerscion or even threat of death. He was however moved by compassion, faith and recognize that he was who he said he was.\n\nThose who recognized his true identity as the son of God, were the only ones who received his miracles and blessing.\n\nEven while hanging on the cross, amidst the sneering jeers to save himself and thereby prove his divintiy to the people, Jesus knew that if he came down off that tree his true identity as a sinless sacrifice and sole path for redemption would have been abdicated and his divine mission forfeited.\n\nJesus was the only one who knew that, and his restraint to maintain that identity ultimately reconciled us back to the Father.\n<h3>Hijacking Jesus\'s Identity Today</h3>\nFast forward 2,000 years to the current era where we routinely, albeit unwittingly perhaps, try to strip Jesus of his divinity today.\n\nWe do that when believers and non-believers alike give God an ultimatum that we will <em><strong>only</strong></em> believe in him if he acts or intervenes on our behalf for healing, finances, peace, relational restoration or any other legitimate need.\n\nBut when we make such demands, how are we any different than those we\'ve looked at who goaded God to act such as the robber, Herod, the centurions or even Satan himself?\n\nWe aren\'t.\n\nHopefully we can identify with that failing and find grace waiting in the arms of a loving savior who can identify with ev\n\n&nbsp;','Hijacking Jesus\' Identity','','inherit','open','open','','5552-revision-13','','','2012-03-22 14:47:42','2012-03-22 21:47:42','',5552,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/22/5552-revision-13/',0,'revision','',0),(5570,153,'2012-03-22 14:49:14','2012-03-22 21:49:14','<h2>The Ongoing Identity Theft of Jesus</h2>\nThe divinity of Jesus has been questioned for thousands of years.\n\nIt\'s not surprising that one of the first recorded instances of this divine doubt occurred before Jesus officially started his ministry. According to the gospel of Matthew, Jesus was fasting in the desert for 40 days when the devil approached Jesus in the wasteland and questioning the Lord\'s deistic attributes.\n<h3>Appealing to Appetite</h3>\nWe read in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A3-4&amp;version=NKJV\">Matthew 4:3-4</a> that the tempter questioned that if Jesus was indeed the Son of God, then Jesus would be able to turn nearby rock piles warmed by the sun into piles of warm bread. Jesus parried with the classic, \"...<em>man shall not live by bread alone...</em>\" verbal retort despite the gnawing hunger in his human belly. This exchange clearly shows that both individuals knew that Jesus was both God and man.\n<h3>Appealing to Prophecy</h3>\nSubsequently the devil quotes scripture to Jesus, as seen in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A5-7&amp;version=NIV\">Matthew 4:5-7</a>, where the adversary asserts that Jesus could fling himself from the cliff and the \"<em>...angels would bear him up...</em>\" in a seeming appeal for Jesus to fulfill prophecy written centuries before that the Messiah would have to die. Jesus didn\'t fall for it - figuratively nor literally. The scriptures state that Jesus was closely attuned to the will and timing of God, and that his time of death had not yet come - further solidifying his deity identity.\n<h3>Appealing to Compassion</h3>\nThe chapter goes on to state in <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Matthew+4.8-11/\">Matthew 4:8-11</a> that the devil changed tactics and tried to appeal to Christ\'s love of humanity by offering the world which had been subjected to demonic control since The Fall in Eden in exchange for Jesus falling to his knees in worship of the first fallen angel.\n\nHad Jesus agreed to this quick-fix alternative to salvation - and he could have - the earth might have been redeemed but not the way that God had wanted. Jesus understood that fact because of his celestial connection to the Father.\n\nOne stern rebuke from Jesus and the devil left - while Jesus\' divinity was challenged in was not diminished in any way.\n\nHowever, had Jesus yielded to any of those temptation attempts it would have resulted in the most epic identity theft in the history of the universe because the devil would have ascended above the Most High.\n\nAgain Jesus\' divine identity prevented that theft from happening.\n<h3>Other Divine Identity Theft Attempts</h3>\nThroughout the remainder of Jesus\' recorded life, the scriptures state that his heavenly sonship continued to be questioned. Perhaps most notable are several examples at the time of his crucifixion:\n<ul>\n	<li>Roman guards beat and mocked Jesus demanding a display of his power - <a href=\"http://bible.cc/luke/22-64.htm\">Luke 22:64</a> and <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A36-38&amp;version=AMP\">Luke 23:36-38</a></li>\n	<li>The magistrate Herod demanded a sign or miracle - <a href=\"http://www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?q=Luke%2023:8-11\">Luke 23: 8-11</a></li>\n	<li>One of the thieves crucified along side of Jesus also demanded a sign and power display - <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Luke+23.39-43/\">Luke 23:39-43</a></li>\n	<li>As well as local leaders who stood and watched Jesus die mocking his divinity claim - <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A33-35&amp;version=NIV\">Luke 33:35</a></li>\n</ul>\n<h3>Restraint Was Jesus\' Greatest Miracle</h3>\nOne of the most interesting yet overlooked aspects of Jesus\' identity was that he never felt compelled to prove himself to anybody. Throughout all of scripture, Jesus wasn\'t moved to perform miracles by violence, coerscion or even threat of death. He was however moved by compassion, faith and recognize that he was who he said he was.\n\nThose who recognized his true identity as the son of God, were the only ones who received his miracles and blessing.\n\nEven while hanging on the cross, amidst the sneering jeers to save himself and thereby prove his divintiy to the people, Jesus knew that if he came down off that tree his true identity as a sinless sacrifice and sole path for redemption would have been abdicated and his divine mission forfeited.\n\nJesus was the only one who knew that, and his restraint to maintain that identity ultimately reconciled us back to the Father.\n<h3>Hijacking Jesus\'s Identity Today</h3>\nFast forward 2,000 years to the current era where we routinely, albeit unwittingly perhaps, try to strip Jesus of his divinity today.\n\nWe do that when believers and non-believers alike give God an ultimatum that we will <em><strong>only</strong></em> believe in him if he acts or intervenes on our behalf for healing, finances, peace, relational restoration or any other legitimate need.\n\nBut when we make such demands, how are we any different than those we\'ve looked at who goaded God to act such as the robber, Herod, the centurions or even Satan himself?\n\nWe aren\'t.\n\nHopefully we can identify with that failing and find grace waiting in the arms of a loving savior who can identify with every aspect of our frailties.\n\n&nbsp;','Hijacking Jesus\' Identity','','inherit','open','open','','5552-revision-14','','','2012-03-22 14:49:14','2012-03-22 21:49:14','',5552,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/22/5552-revision-14/',0,'revision','',0),(5571,153,'2012-03-22 16:12:38','2012-03-22 23:12:38','','http://www.dreamstime.com/-image12867079','usage rights secured via dreamstime.com','inherit','open','open','','httpwww-dreamstime-com-image12867079','','','2012-03-22 16:12:38','2012-03-22 23:12:38','',5552,'http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(5572,153,'2012-03-22 14:56:17','2012-03-22 21:56:17','<h2>The Ongoing Identity Theft of Jesus</h2>\nThe divinity of Jesus has been questioned for thousands of years.\n\nIt\'s not surprising that one of the first recorded instances of this divine doubt occurred before Jesus officially started his ministry. According to the gospel of Matthew, Jesus was fasting in the desert for 40 days when the devil approached Jesus in the wasteland and questioning the Lord\'s deistic attributes.\n<h3>Appealing to Appetite</h3>\nWe read in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A3-4&amp;version=NKJV\">Matthew 4:3-4</a> that the tempter questioned that if Jesus was indeed the Son of God, then Jesus would be able to turn nearby rock piles warmed by the sun into piles of warm bread. Jesus parried with the classic, \"...<em>man shall not live by bread alone...</em>\" verbal retort despite the gnawing hunger in his human belly. This exchange clearly shows that both individuals knew that Jesus was both God and man.\n<h3>Appealing to Prophecy</h3>\nSubsequently the devil quotes scripture to Jesus, as seen in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A5-7&amp;version=NIV\">Matthew 4:5-7</a>, where the adversary asserts that Jesus could fling himself from the cliff and the \"<em>...angels would bear him up...</em>\" in a seeming appeal for Jesus to fulfill prophecy written centuries before that the Messiah would have to die. Jesus didn\'t fall for it - figuratively nor literally. The scriptures state that Jesus was closely attuned to the will and timing of God, and that his time of death had not yet come - further solidifying his deity identity.\n<h3>Appealing to Compassion</h3>\nThe chapter goes on to state in <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Matthew+4.8-11/\">Matthew 4:8-11</a> that the devil changed tactics and tried to appeal to Christ\'s love of humanity by offering the world which had been subjected to demonic control since The Fall in Eden in exchange for Jesus falling to his knees in worship of the first fallen angel.\n\nHad Jesus agreed to this quick-fix alternative to salvation - and he could have - the earth might have been redeemed but not the way that God had wanted. Jesus understood that fact because of his celestial connection to the Father.\n\nOne stern rebuke from Jesus and the devil left - while Jesus\' divinity was challenged in was not diminished in any way.\n\nHowever, had Jesus yielded to any of those temptation attempts it would have resulted in the most epic identity theft in the history of the universe because the devil would have ascended above the Most High.\n\nAgain Jesus\' divine identity prevented that theft from happening.\n<h3>Other Divine Identity Theft Attempts</h3>\nThroughout the remainder of Jesus\' recorded life, the scriptures state that his heavenly sonship continued to be questioned. Perhaps most notable are several examples at the time of his crucifixion:\n<ul>\n	<li>Roman guards beat and mocked Jesus demanding a display of his power - <a href=\"http://bible.cc/luke/22-64.htm\">Luke 22:64</a> and <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A36-38&amp;version=AMP\">Luke 23:36-38</a></li>\n	<li>The magistrate Herod demanded a sign or miracle - <a href=\"http://www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?q=Luke%2023:8-11\">Luke 23: 8-11</a></li>\n	<li>One of the thieves crucified along side of Jesus also demanded a sign and power display - <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Luke+23.39-43/\">Luke 23:39-43</a></li>\n	<li>As well as local leaders who stood and watched Jesus die mocking his divinity claim - <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A33-35&amp;version=NIV\">Luke 33:35</a></li>\n</ul>\n<h3>Restraint Was Jesus\' Greatest Miracle</h3>\nOne of the most interesting yet overlooked aspects of Jesus\' identity was that he never felt compelled to prove himself to anybody. Throughout all of scripture, Jesus wasn\'t moved to perform miracles by violence, coerscion or even threat of death. He was however moved by compassion, faith and recognize that he was who he said he was.\n\nThose who recognized his true identity as the son of God, were the only ones who received his miracles and blessing.\n\nEven while hanging on the cross, amidst the sneering jeers to save himself and thereby prove his divintiy to the people, Jesus knew that if he came down off that tree his true identity as a sinless sacrifice and sole path for redemption would have been abdicated and his divine mission forfeited.\n\nJesus was the only one who knew that, and his restraint to maintain that identity ultimately reconciled us back to the Father.\n<h3>Hijacking Jesus\'s Identity Today</h3>\nFast forward 2,000 years to the current era where we routinely, albeit unwittingly perhaps, try to strip Jesus of his divinity today.\n\nWe do that when believers and non-believers alike give God an ultimatum that we will <em><strong>only</strong></em> believe in him if he acts or intervenes on our behalf for healing, finances, peace, relational restoration or any other legitimate need.\n\nBut when we make such demands, how are we any different than those we\'ve looked at who goaded God to act such as the robber, Herod, the centurions or even Satan himself?\n\nWe aren\'t.\n\nHopefully we can identify with that failing and find grace waiting in the arms of a loving savior who can identify with every aspect of our frailties.\n\n&nbsp;','Hijacking Jesus\' Identity','','inherit','open','open','','5552-revision-15','','','2012-03-22 14:56:17','2012-03-22 21:56:17','',5552,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/22/5552-revision-15/',0,'revision','',0),(5573,153,'2012-03-22 16:15:05','2012-03-22 23:15:05','[caption id=\"attachment_5571\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"usage rights secured via dreamstime.com\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5571\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" /></a>[/caption]\n<h2>The Ongoing Identity Theft of Jesus</h2>\nThe divinity of Jesus has been questioned for thousands of years.\n\nIt\'s not surprising that one of the first recorded instances of this divine doubt occurred before Jesus officially started his ministry. According to the gospel of Matthew, Jesus was fasting in the desert for 40 days when the devil approached Jesus in the wasteland and questioning the Lord\'s deistic attributes.\n<h3>Appealing to Appetite</h3>\nWe read in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A3-4&amp;version=NKJV\">Matthew 4:3-4</a> that the tempter questioned that if Jesus was indeed the Son of God, then Jesus would be able to turn nearby rock piles warmed by the sun into piles of warm bread. Jesus parried with the classic, \"...<em>man shall not live by bread alone...</em>\" verbal retort despite the gnawing hunger in his human belly. This exchange clearly shows that both individuals knew that Jesus was both God and man.\n<h3>Appealing to Prophecy</h3>\nSubsequently the devil quotes scripture to Jesus, as seen in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A5-7&amp;version=NIV\">Matthew 4:5-7</a>, where the adversary asserts that Jesus could fling himself from the cliff and the \"<em>...angels would bear him up...</em>\" in a seeming appeal for Jesus to fulfill prophecy written centuries before that the Messiah would have to die. Jesus didn\'t fall for it - figuratively nor literally. The scriptures state that Jesus was closely attuned to the will and timing of God, and that his time of death had not yet come - further solidifying his deity identity.\n<h3>Appealing to Compassion</h3>\nThe chapter goes on to state in <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Matthew+4.8-11/\">Matthew 4:8-11</a> that the devil changed tactics and tried to appeal to Christ\'s love of humanity by offering the world which had been subjected to demonic control since The Fall in Eden in exchange for Jesus falling to his knees in worship of the first fallen angel.\n\nHad Jesus agreed to this quick-fix alternative to salvation - and he could have - the earth might have been redeemed but not the way that God had wanted. Jesus understood that fact because of his celestial connection to the Father.\n\nOne stern rebuke from Jesus and the devil left - while Jesus\' divinity was challenged in was not diminished in any way.\n\nHowever, had Jesus yielded to any of those temptation attempts it would have resulted in the most epic identity theft in the history of the universe because the devil would have ascended above the Most High.\n\nAgain Jesus\' divine identity prevented that theft from happening.\n<h3>Other Divine Identity Theft Attempts</h3>\nThroughout the remainder of Jesus\' recorded life, the scriptures state that his heavenly sonship continued to be questioned. Perhaps most notable are several examples at the time of his crucifixion:\n<ul>\n	<li>Roman guards beat and mocked Jesus demanding a display of his power - <a href=\"http://bible.cc/luke/22-64.htm\">Luke 22:64</a> and <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A36-38&amp;version=AMP\">Luke 23:36-38</a></li>\n	<li>The magistrate Herod demanded a sign or miracle - <a href=\"http://www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?q=Luke%2023:8-11\">Luke 23: 8-11</a></li>\n	<li>One of the thieves crucified along side of Jesus also demanded a sign and power display - <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Luke+23.39-43/\">Luke 23:39-43</a></li>\n	<li>As well as local leaders who stood and watched Jesus die mocking his divinity claim - <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A33-35&amp;version=NIV\">Luke 33:35</a></li>\n</ul>\n<h3>Restraint Was Jesus\' Greatest Miracle</h3>\nOne of the most interesting yet overlooked aspects of Jesus\' identity was that he never felt compelled to prove himself to anybody. Throughout all of scripture, Jesus wasn\'t moved to perform miracles by violence, coerscion or even threat of death. He was however moved by compassion, faith and recognize that he was who he said he was.\n\nThose who recognized his true identity as the son of God, were the only ones who received his miracles and blessing.\n\nEven while hanging on the cross, amidst the sneering jeers to save himself and thereby prove his divintiy to the people, Jesus knew that if he came down off that tree his true identity as a sinless sacrifice and sole path for redemption would have been abdicated and his divine mission forfeited.\n\nJesus was the only one who knew that, and his restraint to maintain that identity ultimately reconciled us back to the Father.\n<h3>Hijacking Jesus\'s Identity Today</h3>\nFast forward 2,000 years to the current era where we routinely, albeit unwittingly perhaps, try to strip Jesus of his divinity today.\n\nWe do that when believers and non-believers alike give God an ultimatum that we will <em><strong>only</strong></em> believe in him if he acts or intervenes on our behalf for healing, finances, peace, relational restoration or any other legitimate need.\n\nBut when we make such demands, how are we any different than those we\'ve looked at who goaded God to act such as the robber, Herod, the centurions or even Satan himself?\n\nWe aren\'t.\n\nHopefully we can identify with that failing and find grace waiting in the arms of a loving savior who can identify with every aspect of our frailties.\n\n&nbsp;','Hijacking Jesus\' Identity','','inherit','open','open','','5552-revision-16','','','2012-03-22 16:15:05','2012-03-22 23:15:05','',5552,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/22/5552-revision-16/',0,'revision','',0),(5579,153,'2012-03-22 16:18:46','2012-03-22 23:18:46','[caption id=\"attachment_5571\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"487\" caption=\"usage rights secured via dreamstime.com\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-5571\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"487\" height=\"199\" /></a>[/caption]\n<h2>The Ongoing Identity Theft of Jesus</h2>\nThe divinity of Jesus has been questioned for thousands of years.\n\nIt\'s not surprising that one of the first recorded instances of this divine doubt occurred before Jesus officially started his ministry. According to the gospel of Matthew, Jesus was fasting in the desert for 40 days when the devil approached Jesus in the wasteland and questioning the Lord\'s deistic attributes.\n<h3>Appealing to Appetite</h3>\nWe read in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A3-4&amp;version=NKJV\">Matthew 4:3-4</a> that the tempter questioned that if Jesus was indeed the Son of God, then Jesus would be able to turn nearby rock piles warmed by the sun into piles of warm bread. Jesus parried with the classic, \"...<em>man shall not live by bread alone...</em>\" verbal retort despite the gnawing hunger in his human belly. This exchange clearly shows that both individuals knew that Jesus was both God and man.\n<h3>Appealing to Prophecy</h3>\nSubsequently the devil quotes scripture to Jesus, as seen in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A5-7&amp;version=NIV\">Matthew 4:5-7</a>, where the adversary asserts that Jesus could fling himself from the cliff and the \"<em>...angels would bear him up...</em>\" in a seeming appeal for Jesus to fulfill prophecy written centuries before that the Messiah would have to die. Jesus didn\'t fall for it - figuratively nor literally. The scriptures state that Jesus was closely attuned to the will and timing of God, and that his time of death had not yet come - further solidifying his deity identity.\n<h3>Appealing to Compassion</h3>\nThe chapter goes on to state in <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Matthew+4.8-11/\">Matthew 4:8-11</a> that the devil changed tactics and tried to appeal to Christ\'s love of humanity by offering the world which had been subjected to demonic control since The Fall in Eden in exchange for Jesus falling to his knees in worship of the first fallen angel.\n\nHad Jesus agreed to this quick-fix alternative to salvation - and he could have - the earth might have been redeemed but not the way that God had wanted. Jesus understood that fact because of his celestial connection to the Father.\n\nOne stern rebuke from Jesus and the devil left - while Jesus\' divinity was challenged in was not diminished in any way.\n\nHowever, had Jesus yielded to any of those temptation attempts it would have resulted in the most epic identity theft in the history of the universe because the devil would have ascended above the Most High.\n\nAgain Jesus\' divine identity prevented that theft from happening.\n<h3>Other Divine Identity Theft Attempts</h3>\nThroughout the remainder of Jesus\' recorded life, the scriptures state that his heavenly sonship continued to be questioned. Perhaps most notable are several examples at the time of his crucifixion:\n<ul>\n	<li>Roman guards beat and mocked Jesus demanding a display of his power - <a href=\"http://bible.cc/luke/22-64.htm\">Luke 22:64</a> and <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A36-38&amp;version=AMP\">Luke 23:36-38</a></li>\n	<li>The magistrate Herod demanded a sign or miracle - <a href=\"http://www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?q=Luke%2023:8-11\">Luke 23: 8-11</a></li>\n	<li>One of the thieves crucified along side of Jesus also demanded a sign and power display - <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Luke+23.39-43/\">Luke 23:39-43</a></li>\n	<li>As well as local leaders who stood and watched Jesus die mocking his divinity claim - <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A33-35&amp;version=NIV\">Luke 33:35</a></li>\n</ul>\n<h3>Restraint Was Jesus\' Greatest Miracle</h3>\nOne of the most interesting yet overlooked aspects of Jesus\' identity was that he never felt compelled to prove himself to anybody. Throughout all of scripture, Jesus wasn\'t moved to perform miracles by violence, coerscion or even threat of death. He was however moved by compassion, faith and recognize that he was who he said he was.\n\nThose who recognized his true identity as the son of God, were the only ones who received his miracles and blessing.\n\nEven while hanging on the cross, amidst the sneering jeers to save himself and thereby prove his divintiy to the people, Jesus knew that if he came down off that tree his true identity as a sinless sacrifice and sole path for redemption would have been abdicated and his divine mission forfeited.\n\nJesus was the only one who knew that, and his restraint to maintain that identity ultimately reconciled us back to the Father.\n<h3>Hijacking Jesus\'s Identity Today</h3>\nFast forward 2,000 years to the current era where we routinely, albeit unwittingly perhaps, try to strip Jesus of his divinity today.\n\nWe do that when believers and non-believers alike give God an ultimatum that we will <em><strong>only</strong></em> believe in him if he acts or intervenes on our behalf for healing, finances, peace, relational restoration or any other legitimate need.\n\nBut when we make such demands, how are we any different than those we\'ve looked at who goaded God to act such as the robber, Herod, the centurions or even Satan himself?\n\nWe aren\'t.\n\nHopefully we can identify with that failing and find grace waiting in the arms of a loving savior who can identify with every aspect of our frailties.\n\n&nbsp;','Hijacking Jesus\' Identity','','inherit','open','open','','5552-revision-22','','','2012-03-22 16:18:46','2012-03-22 23:18:46','',5552,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/22/5552-revision-22/',0,'revision','',0),(5574,153,'2012-03-22 16:16:06','2012-03-22 23:16:06','[caption id=\"attachment_5571\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"715\" caption=\"usage rights secured via dreamstime.com\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-5571\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"715\" height=\"199\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n<h2>The Ongoing Identity Theft of Jesus</h2>\r\nThe divinity of Jesus has been questioned for thousands of years.\r\n\r\nIt\'s not surprising that one of the first recorded instances of this divine doubt occurred before Jesus officially started his ministry. According to the gospel of Matthew, Jesus was fasting in the desert for 40 days when the devil approached Jesus in the wasteland and questioning the Lord\'s deistic attributes.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Appetite</h3>\r\nWe read in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A3-4&amp;version=NKJV\">Matthew 4:3-4</a> that the tempter questioned that if Jesus was indeed the Son of God, then Jesus would be able to turn nearby rock piles warmed by the sun into piles of warm bread. Jesus parried with the classic, \"...<em>man shall not live by bread alone...</em>\" verbal retort despite the gnawing hunger in his human belly. This exchange clearly shows that both individuals knew that Jesus was both God and man.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Prophecy</h3>\r\nSubsequently the devil quotes scripture to Jesus, as seen in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A5-7&amp;version=NIV\">Matthew 4:5-7</a>, where the adversary asserts that Jesus could fling himself from the cliff and the \"<em>...angels would bear him up...</em>\" in a seeming appeal for Jesus to fulfill prophecy written centuries before that the Messiah would have to die. Jesus didn\'t fall for it - figuratively nor literally. The scriptures state that Jesus was closely attuned to the will and timing of God, and that his time of death had not yet come - further solidifying his deity identity.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Compassion</h3>\r\nThe chapter goes on to state in <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Matthew+4.8-11/\">Matthew 4:8-11</a> that the devil changed tactics and tried to appeal to Christ\'s love of humanity by offering the world which had been subjected to demonic control since The Fall in Eden in exchange for Jesus falling to his knees in worship of the first fallen angel.\r\n\r\nHad Jesus agreed to this quick-fix alternative to salvation - and he could have - the earth might have been redeemed but not the way that God had wanted. Jesus understood that fact because of his celestial connection to the Father.\r\n\r\nOne stern rebuke from Jesus and the devil left - while Jesus\' divinity was challenged in was not diminished in any way.\r\n\r\nHowever, had Jesus yielded to any of those temptation attempts it would have resulted in the most epic identity theft in the history of the universe because the devil would have ascended above the Most High.\r\n\r\nAgain Jesus\' divine identity prevented that theft from happening.\r\n<h3>Other Divine Identity Theft Attempts</h3>\r\nThroughout the remainder of Jesus\' recorded life, the scriptures state that his heavenly sonship continued to be questioned. Perhaps most notable are several examples at the time of his crucifixion:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Roman guards beat and mocked Jesus demanding a display of his power - <a href=\"http://bible.cc/luke/22-64.htm\">Luke 22:64</a> and <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A36-38&amp;version=AMP\">Luke 23:36-38</a></li>\r\n	<li>The magistrate Herod demanded a sign or miracle - <a href=\"http://www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?q=Luke%2023:8-11\">Luke 23: 8-11</a></li>\r\n	<li>One of the thieves crucified along side of Jesus also demanded a sign and power display - <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Luke+23.39-43/\">Luke 23:39-43</a></li>\r\n	<li>As well as local leaders who stood and watched Jesus die mocking his divinity claim - <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A33-35&amp;version=NIV\">Luke 33:35</a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h3>Restraint Was Jesus\' Greatest Miracle</h3>\r\nOne of the most interesting yet overlooked aspects of Jesus\' identity was that he never felt compelled to prove himself to anybody. Throughout all of scripture, Jesus wasn\'t moved to perform miracles by violence, coerscion or even threat of death. He was however moved by compassion, faith and recognize that he was who he said he was.\r\n\r\nThose who recognized his true identity as the son of God, were the only ones who received his miracles and blessing.\r\n\r\nEven while hanging on the cross, amidst the sneering jeers to save himself and thereby prove his divintiy to the people, Jesus knew that if he came down off that tree his true identity as a sinless sacrifice and sole path for redemption would have been abdicated and his divine mission forfeited.\r\n\r\nJesus was the only one who knew that, and his restraint to maintain that identity ultimately reconciled us back to the Father.\r\n<h3>Hijacking Jesus\'s Identity Today</h3>\r\nFast forward 2,000 years to the current era where we routinely, albeit unwittingly perhaps, try to strip Jesus of his divinity today.\r\n\r\nWe do that when believers and non-believers alike give God an ultimatum that we will <em><strong>only</strong></em> believe in him if he acts or intervenes on our behalf for healing, finances, peace, relational restoration or any other legitimate need.\r\n\r\nBut when we make such demands, how are we any different than those we\'ve looked at who goaded God to act such as the robber, Herod, the centurions or even Satan himself?\r\n\r\nWe aren\'t.\r\n\r\nHopefully we can identify with that failing and find grace waiting in the arms of a loving savior who can identify with every aspect of our frailties.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Hijacking Jesus\' Identity','','inherit','open','open','','5552-revision-17','','','2012-03-22 16:16:06','2012-03-22 23:16:06','',5552,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/22/5552-revision-17/',0,'revision','',0),(5575,153,'2012-03-22 16:16:29','2012-03-22 23:16:29','[caption id=\"attachment_5571\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"567\" caption=\"usage rights secured via dreamstime.com\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-5571\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"567\" height=\"199\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n<h2>The Ongoing Identity Theft of Jesus</h2>\r\nThe divinity of Jesus has been questioned for thousands of years.\r\n\r\nIt\'s not surprising that one of the first recorded instances of this divine doubt occurred before Jesus officially started his ministry. According to the gospel of Matthew, Jesus was fasting in the desert for 40 days when the devil approached Jesus in the wasteland and questioning the Lord\'s deistic attributes.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Appetite</h3>\r\nWe read in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A3-4&amp;version=NKJV\">Matthew 4:3-4</a> that the tempter questioned that if Jesus was indeed the Son of God, then Jesus would be able to turn nearby rock piles warmed by the sun into piles of warm bread. Jesus parried with the classic, \"...<em>man shall not live by bread alone...</em>\" verbal retort despite the gnawing hunger in his human belly. This exchange clearly shows that both individuals knew that Jesus was both God and man.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Prophecy</h3>\r\nSubsequently the devil quotes scripture to Jesus, as seen in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A5-7&amp;version=NIV\">Matthew 4:5-7</a>, where the adversary asserts that Jesus could fling himself from the cliff and the \"<em>...angels would bear him up...</em>\" in a seeming appeal for Jesus to fulfill prophecy written centuries before that the Messiah would have to die. Jesus didn\'t fall for it - figuratively nor literally. The scriptures state that Jesus was closely attuned to the will and timing of God, and that his time of death had not yet come - further solidifying his deity identity.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Compassion</h3>\r\nThe chapter goes on to state in <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Matthew+4.8-11/\">Matthew 4:8-11</a> that the devil changed tactics and tried to appeal to Christ\'s love of humanity by offering the world which had been subjected to demonic control since The Fall in Eden in exchange for Jesus falling to his knees in worship of the first fallen angel.\r\n\r\nHad Jesus agreed to this quick-fix alternative to salvation - and he could have - the earth might have been redeemed but not the way that God had wanted. Jesus understood that fact because of his celestial connection to the Father.\r\n\r\nOne stern rebuke from Jesus and the devil left - while Jesus\' divinity was challenged in was not diminished in any way.\r\n\r\nHowever, had Jesus yielded to any of those temptation attempts it would have resulted in the most epic identity theft in the history of the universe because the devil would have ascended above the Most High.\r\n\r\nAgain Jesus\' divine identity prevented that theft from happening.\r\n<h3>Other Divine Identity Theft Attempts</h3>\r\nThroughout the remainder of Jesus\' recorded life, the scriptures state that his heavenly sonship continued to be questioned. Perhaps most notable are several examples at the time of his crucifixion:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Roman guards beat and mocked Jesus demanding a display of his power - <a href=\"http://bible.cc/luke/22-64.htm\">Luke 22:64</a> and <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A36-38&amp;version=AMP\">Luke 23:36-38</a></li>\r\n	<li>The magistrate Herod demanded a sign or miracle - <a href=\"http://www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?q=Luke%2023:8-11\">Luke 23: 8-11</a></li>\r\n	<li>One of the thieves crucified along side of Jesus also demanded a sign and power display - <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Luke+23.39-43/\">Luke 23:39-43</a></li>\r\n	<li>As well as local leaders who stood and watched Jesus die mocking his divinity claim - <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A33-35&amp;version=NIV\">Luke 33:35</a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h3>Restraint Was Jesus\' Greatest Miracle</h3>\r\nOne of the most interesting yet overlooked aspects of Jesus\' identity was that he never felt compelled to prove himself to anybody. Throughout all of scripture, Jesus wasn\'t moved to perform miracles by violence, coerscion or even threat of death. He was however moved by compassion, faith and recognize that he was who he said he was.\r\n\r\nThose who recognized his true identity as the son of God, were the only ones who received his miracles and blessing.\r\n\r\nEven while hanging on the cross, amidst the sneering jeers to save himself and thereby prove his divintiy to the people, Jesus knew that if he came down off that tree his true identity as a sinless sacrifice and sole path for redemption would have been abdicated and his divine mission forfeited.\r\n\r\nJesus was the only one who knew that, and his restraint to maintain that identity ultimately reconciled us back to the Father.\r\n<h3>Hijacking Jesus\'s Identity Today</h3>\r\nFast forward 2,000 years to the current era where we routinely, albeit unwittingly perhaps, try to strip Jesus of his divinity today.\r\n\r\nWe do that when believers and non-believers alike give God an ultimatum that we will <em><strong>only</strong></em> believe in him if he acts or intervenes on our behalf for healing, finances, peace, relational restoration or any other legitimate need.\r\n\r\nBut when we make such demands, how are we any different than those we\'ve looked at who goaded God to act such as the robber, Herod, the centurions or even Satan himself?\r\n\r\nWe aren\'t.\r\n\r\nHopefully we can identify with that failing and find grace waiting in the arms of a loving savior who can identify with every aspect of our frailties.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Hijacking Jesus\' Identity','','inherit','open','open','','5552-revision-18','','','2012-03-22 16:16:29','2012-03-22 23:16:29','',5552,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/22/5552-revision-18/',0,'revision','',0),(5576,153,'2012-03-22 16:16:37','2012-03-22 23:16:37','[caption id=\"attachment_5571\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"567\" caption=\"usage rights secured via dreamstime.com\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-5571\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"567\" height=\"199\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n<h2>The Ongoing Identity Theft of Jesus</h2>\r\nThe divinity of Jesus has been questioned for thousands of years.\r\n\r\nIt\'s not surprising that one of the first recorded instances of this divine doubt occurred before Jesus officially started his ministry. According to the gospel of Matthew, Jesus was fasting in the desert for 40 days when the devil approached Jesus in the wasteland and questioning the Lord\'s deistic attributes.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Appetite</h3>\r\nWe read in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A3-4&amp;version=NKJV\">Matthew 4:3-4</a> that the tempter questioned that if Jesus was indeed the Son of God, then Jesus would be able to turn nearby rock piles warmed by the sun into piles of warm bread. Jesus parried with the classic, \"...<em>man shall not live by bread alone...</em>\" verbal retort despite the gnawing hunger in his human belly. This exchange clearly shows that both individuals knew that Jesus was both God and man.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Prophecy</h3>\r\nSubsequently the devil quotes scripture to Jesus, as seen in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A5-7&amp;version=NIV\">Matthew 4:5-7</a>, where the adversary asserts that Jesus could fling himself from the cliff and the \"<em>...angels would bear him up...</em>\" in a seeming appeal for Jesus to fulfill prophecy written centuries before that the Messiah would have to die. Jesus didn\'t fall for it - figuratively nor literally. The scriptures state that Jesus was closely attuned to the will and timing of God, and that his time of death had not yet come - further solidifying his deity identity.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Compassion</h3>\r\nThe chapter goes on to state in <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Matthew+4.8-11/\">Matthew 4:8-11</a> that the devil changed tactics and tried to appeal to Christ\'s love of humanity by offering the world which had been subjected to demonic control since The Fall in Eden in exchange for Jesus falling to his knees in worship of the first fallen angel.\r\n\r\nHad Jesus agreed to this quick-fix alternative to salvation - and he could have - the earth might have been redeemed but not the way that God had wanted. Jesus understood that fact because of his celestial connection to the Father.\r\n\r\nOne stern rebuke from Jesus and the devil left - while Jesus\' divinity was challenged in was not diminished in any way.\r\n\r\nHowever, had Jesus yielded to any of those temptation attempts it would have resulted in the most epic identity theft in the history of the universe because the devil would have ascended above the Most High.\r\n\r\nAgain Jesus\' divine identity prevented that theft from happening.\r\n<h3>Other Divine Identity Theft Attempts</h3>\r\nThroughout the remainder of Jesus\' recorded life, the scriptures state that his heavenly sonship continued to be questioned. Perhaps most notable are several examples at the time of his crucifixion:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Roman guards beat and mocked Jesus demanding a display of his power - <a href=\"http://bible.cc/luke/22-64.htm\">Luke 22:64</a> and <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A36-38&amp;version=AMP\">Luke 23:36-38</a></li>\r\n	<li>The magistrate Herod demanded a sign or miracle - <a href=\"http://www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?q=Luke%2023:8-11\">Luke 23: 8-11</a></li>\r\n	<li>One of the thieves crucified along side of Jesus also demanded a sign and power display - <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Luke+23.39-43/\">Luke 23:39-43</a></li>\r\n	<li>As well as local leaders who stood and watched Jesus die mocking his divinity claim - <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A33-35&amp;version=NIV\">Luke 33:35</a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h3>Restraint Was Jesus\' Greatest Miracle</h3>\r\nOne of the most interesting yet overlooked aspects of Jesus\' identity was that he never felt compelled to prove himself to anybody. Throughout all of scripture, Jesus wasn\'t moved to perform miracles by violence, coerscion or even threat of death. He was however moved by compassion, faith and recognize that he was who he said he was.\r\n\r\nThose who recognized his true identity as the son of God, were the only ones who received his miracles and blessing.\r\n\r\nEven while hanging on the cross, amidst the sneering jeers to save himself and thereby prove his divintiy to the people, Jesus knew that if he came down off that tree his true identity as a sinless sacrifice and sole path for redemption would have been abdicated and his divine mission forfeited.\r\n\r\nJesus was the only one who knew that, and his restraint to maintain that identity ultimately reconciled us back to the Father.\r\n<h3>Hijacking Jesus\'s Identity Today</h3>\r\nFast forward 2,000 years to the current era where we routinely, albeit unwittingly perhaps, try to strip Jesus of his divinity today.\r\n\r\nWe do that when believers and non-believers alike give God an ultimatum that we will <em><strong>only</strong></em> believe in him if he acts or intervenes on our behalf for healing, finances, peace, relational restoration or any other legitimate need.\r\n\r\nBut when we make such demands, how are we any different than those we\'ve looked at who goaded God to act such as the robber, Herod, the centurions or even Satan himself?\r\n\r\nWe aren\'t.\r\n\r\nHopefully we can identify with that failing and find grace waiting in the arms of a loving savior who can identify with every aspect of our frailties.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Hijacking Jesus\' Identity','','inherit','open','open','','5552-revision-19','','','2012-03-22 16:16:37','2012-03-22 23:16:37','',5552,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/22/5552-revision-19/',0,'revision','',0),(5577,153,'2012-03-22 16:17:06','2012-03-22 23:17:06','[caption id=\"attachment_5571\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"511\" caption=\"usage rights secured via dreamstime.com\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-5571\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"511\" height=\"199\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n<h2>The Ongoing Identity Theft of Jesus</h2>\r\nThe divinity of Jesus has been questioned for thousands of years.\r\n\r\nIt\'s not surprising that one of the first recorded instances of this divine doubt occurred before Jesus officially started his ministry. According to the gospel of Matthew, Jesus was fasting in the desert for 40 days when the devil approached Jesus in the wasteland and questioning the Lord\'s deistic attributes.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Appetite</h3>\r\nWe read in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A3-4&amp;version=NKJV\">Matthew 4:3-4</a> that the tempter questioned that if Jesus was indeed the Son of God, then Jesus would be able to turn nearby rock piles warmed by the sun into piles of warm bread. Jesus parried with the classic, \"...<em>man shall not live by bread alone...</em>\" verbal retort despite the gnawing hunger in his human belly. This exchange clearly shows that both individuals knew that Jesus was both God and man.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Prophecy</h3>\r\nSubsequently the devil quotes scripture to Jesus, as seen in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A5-7&amp;version=NIV\">Matthew 4:5-7</a>, where the adversary asserts that Jesus could fling himself from the cliff and the \"<em>...angels would bear him up...</em>\" in a seeming appeal for Jesus to fulfill prophecy written centuries before that the Messiah would have to die. Jesus didn\'t fall for it - figuratively nor literally. The scriptures state that Jesus was closely attuned to the will and timing of God, and that his time of death had not yet come - further solidifying his deity identity.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Compassion</h3>\r\nThe chapter goes on to state in <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Matthew+4.8-11/\">Matthew 4:8-11</a> that the devil changed tactics and tried to appeal to Christ\'s love of humanity by offering the world which had been subjected to demonic control since The Fall in Eden in exchange for Jesus falling to his knees in worship of the first fallen angel.\r\n\r\nHad Jesus agreed to this quick-fix alternative to salvation - and he could have - the earth might have been redeemed but not the way that God had wanted. Jesus understood that fact because of his celestial connection to the Father.\r\n\r\nOne stern rebuke from Jesus and the devil left - while Jesus\' divinity was challenged in was not diminished in any way.\r\n\r\nHowever, had Jesus yielded to any of those temptation attempts it would have resulted in the most epic identity theft in the history of the universe because the devil would have ascended above the Most High.\r\n\r\nAgain Jesus\' divine identity prevented that theft from happening.\r\n<h3>Other Divine Identity Theft Attempts</h3>\r\nThroughout the remainder of Jesus\' recorded life, the scriptures state that his heavenly sonship continued to be questioned. Perhaps most notable are several examples at the time of his crucifixion:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Roman guards beat and mocked Jesus demanding a display of his power - <a href=\"http://bible.cc/luke/22-64.htm\">Luke 22:64</a> and <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A36-38&amp;version=AMP\">Luke 23:36-38</a></li>\r\n	<li>The magistrate Herod demanded a sign or miracle - <a href=\"http://www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?q=Luke%2023:8-11\">Luke 23: 8-11</a></li>\r\n	<li>One of the thieves crucified along side of Jesus also demanded a sign and power display - <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Luke+23.39-43/\">Luke 23:39-43</a></li>\r\n	<li>As well as local leaders who stood and watched Jesus die mocking his divinity claim - <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A33-35&amp;version=NIV\">Luke 33:35</a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h3>Restraint Was Jesus\' Greatest Miracle</h3>\r\nOne of the most interesting yet overlooked aspects of Jesus\' identity was that he never felt compelled to prove himself to anybody. Throughout all of scripture, Jesus wasn\'t moved to perform miracles by violence, coerscion or even threat of death. He was however moved by compassion, faith and recognize that he was who he said he was.\r\n\r\nThose who recognized his true identity as the son of God, were the only ones who received his miracles and blessing.\r\n\r\nEven while hanging on the cross, amidst the sneering jeers to save himself and thereby prove his divintiy to the people, Jesus knew that if he came down off that tree his true identity as a sinless sacrifice and sole path for redemption would have been abdicated and his divine mission forfeited.\r\n\r\nJesus was the only one who knew that, and his restraint to maintain that identity ultimately reconciled us back to the Father.\r\n<h3>Hijacking Jesus\'s Identity Today</h3>\r\nFast forward 2,000 years to the current era where we routinely, albeit unwittingly perhaps, try to strip Jesus of his divinity today.\r\n\r\nWe do that when believers and non-believers alike give God an ultimatum that we will <em><strong>only</strong></em> believe in him if he acts or intervenes on our behalf for healing, finances, peace, relational restoration or any other legitimate need.\r\n\r\nBut when we make such demands, how are we any different than those we\'ve looked at who goaded God to act such as the robber, Herod, the centurions or even Satan himself?\r\n\r\nWe aren\'t.\r\n\r\nHopefully we can identify with that failing and find grace waiting in the arms of a loving savior who can identify with every aspect of our frailties.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Hijacking Jesus\' Identity','','inherit','open','open','','5552-revision-20','','','2012-03-22 16:17:06','2012-03-22 23:17:06','',5552,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/22/5552-revision-20/',0,'revision','',0),(5578,153,'2012-03-22 16:17:15','2012-03-22 23:17:15','[caption id=\"attachment_5571\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"511\" caption=\"usage rights secured via dreamstime.com\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-5571\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"511\" height=\"199\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n<h2>The Ongoing Identity Theft of Jesus</h2>\r\nThe divinity of Jesus has been questioned for thousands of years.\r\n\r\nIt\'s not surprising that one of the first recorded instances of this divine doubt occurred before Jesus officially started his ministry. According to the gospel of Matthew, Jesus was fasting in the desert for 40 days when the devil approached Jesus in the wasteland and questioning the Lord\'s deistic attributes.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Appetite</h3>\r\nWe read in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A3-4&amp;version=NKJV\">Matthew 4:3-4</a> that the tempter questioned that if Jesus was indeed the Son of God, then Jesus would be able to turn nearby rock piles warmed by the sun into piles of warm bread. Jesus parried with the classic, \"...<em>man shall not live by bread alone...</em>\" verbal retort despite the gnawing hunger in his human belly. This exchange clearly shows that both individuals knew that Jesus was both God and man.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Prophecy</h3>\r\nSubsequently the devil quotes scripture to Jesus, as seen in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A5-7&amp;version=NIV\">Matthew 4:5-7</a>, where the adversary asserts that Jesus could fling himself from the cliff and the \"<em>...angels would bear him up...</em>\" in a seeming appeal for Jesus to fulfill prophecy written centuries before that the Messiah would have to die. Jesus didn\'t fall for it - figuratively nor literally. The scriptures state that Jesus was closely attuned to the will and timing of God, and that his time of death had not yet come - further solidifying his deity identity.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Compassion</h3>\r\nThe chapter goes on to state in <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Matthew+4.8-11/\">Matthew 4:8-11</a> that the devil changed tactics and tried to appeal to Christ\'s love of humanity by offering the world which had been subjected to demonic control since The Fall in Eden in exchange for Jesus falling to his knees in worship of the first fallen angel.\r\n\r\nHad Jesus agreed to this quick-fix alternative to salvation - and he could have - the earth might have been redeemed but not the way that God had wanted. Jesus understood that fact because of his celestial connection to the Father.\r\n\r\nOne stern rebuke from Jesus and the devil left - while Jesus\' divinity was challenged in was not diminished in any way.\r\n\r\nHowever, had Jesus yielded to any of those temptation attempts it would have resulted in the most epic identity theft in the history of the universe because the devil would have ascended above the Most High.\r\n\r\nAgain Jesus\' divine identity prevented that theft from happening.\r\n<h3>Other Divine Identity Theft Attempts</h3>\r\nThroughout the remainder of Jesus\' recorded life, the scriptures state that his heavenly sonship continued to be questioned. Perhaps most notable are several examples at the time of his crucifixion:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Roman guards beat and mocked Jesus demanding a display of his power - <a href=\"http://bible.cc/luke/22-64.htm\">Luke 22:64</a> and <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A36-38&amp;version=AMP\">Luke 23:36-38</a></li>\r\n	<li>The magistrate Herod demanded a sign or miracle - <a href=\"http://www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?q=Luke%2023:8-11\">Luke 23: 8-11</a></li>\r\n	<li>One of the thieves crucified along side of Jesus also demanded a sign and power display - <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Luke+23.39-43/\">Luke 23:39-43</a></li>\r\n	<li>As well as local leaders who stood and watched Jesus die mocking his divinity claim - <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A33-35&amp;version=NIV\">Luke 33:35</a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h3>Restraint Was Jesus\' Greatest Miracle</h3>\r\nOne of the most interesting yet overlooked aspects of Jesus\' identity was that he never felt compelled to prove himself to anybody. Throughout all of scripture, Jesus wasn\'t moved to perform miracles by violence, coerscion or even threat of death. He was however moved by compassion, faith and recognize that he was who he said he was.\r\n\r\nThose who recognized his true identity as the son of God, were the only ones who received his miracles and blessing.\r\n\r\nEven while hanging on the cross, amidst the sneering jeers to save himself and thereby prove his divintiy to the people, Jesus knew that if he came down off that tree his true identity as a sinless sacrifice and sole path for redemption would have been abdicated and his divine mission forfeited.\r\n\r\nJesus was the only one who knew that, and his restraint to maintain that identity ultimately reconciled us back to the Father.\r\n<h3>Hijacking Jesus\'s Identity Today</h3>\r\nFast forward 2,000 years to the current era where we routinely, albeit unwittingly perhaps, try to strip Jesus of his divinity today.\r\n\r\nWe do that when believers and non-believers alike give God an ultimatum that we will <em><strong>only</strong></em> believe in him if he acts or intervenes on our behalf for healing, finances, peace, relational restoration or any other legitimate need.\r\n\r\nBut when we make such demands, how are we any different than those we\'ve looked at who goaded God to act such as the robber, Herod, the centurions or even Satan himself?\r\n\r\nWe aren\'t.\r\n\r\nHopefully we can identify with that failing and find grace waiting in the arms of a loving savior who can identify with every aspect of our frailties.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Hijacking Jesus\' Identity','','inherit','open','open','','5552-revision-21','','','2012-03-22 16:17:15','2012-03-22 23:17:15','',5552,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/22/5552-revision-21/',0,'revision','',0),(5580,153,'2012-03-22 17:57:33','2012-03-23 00:57:33','[caption id=\"attachment_5571\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"487\" caption=\"usage rights secured via dreamstime.com\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-5571\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"487\" height=\"199\" /></a>[/caption]\n<h2>The Ongoing Identity Theft of Jesus</h2>\nThe divinity of Jesus has been questioned for thousands of years.\n\nIt\'s not surprising that one of the first recorded instances of this divine doubt occurred before Jesus officially started his ministry. According to the gospel of Matthew, Jesus was fasting in the desert for 40 days when the devil approached Jesus in the wasteland and questioning the Lord\'s deistic attributes.\n<h3>Appealing to Appetite</h3>\nWe read in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A3-4&amp;version=NKJV\">Matthew 4:3-4</a> that the tempter questioned that if Jesus was indeed the Son of God, then Jesus would be able to turn nearby rock piles warmed by the sun into piles of warm bread. Jesus parried with the classic, \"...<em>man shall not live by bread alone...</em>\" verbal retort despite the gnawing hunger in his human belly. This exchange clearly shows that both individuals knew that Jesus was both God and man.\n<h3>Appealing to Prophecy</h3>\nSubsequently the devil quotes scripture to Jesus, as seen in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A5-7&amp;version=NIV\">Matthew 4:5-7</a>, where the adversary asserts that Jesus could fling himself from the cliff and the \"<em>...angels would bear him up...</em>\" in a seeming appeal for Jesus to fulfill prophecy written centuries before that the Messiah would have to die. Jesus didn\'t fall for it - figuratively nor literally. The scriptures state that Jesus was closely attuned to the will and timing of God, and that his time of death had not yet come - further solidifying his deity identity.\n<h3>Appealing to Compassion</h3>\nThe chapter goes on to state in <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Matthew+4.8-11/\">Matthew 4:8-11</a> that the devil changed tactics and tried to appeal to Christ\'s love of humanity by offering the world which had been subjected to demonic control since The Fall in Eden in exchange for Jesus falling to his knees in worship of the first fallen angel.\n\nHad Jesus agreed to this quick-fix alternative to salvation - and he could have - the earth might have been redeemed but not the way that God had wanted. Jesus understood that fact because of his celestial connection to the Father.\n\nOne stern rebuke from Jesus and the devil left - while Jesus\' divinity was challenged in was not diminished in any way.\n\nHowever, had Jesus yielded to any of those temptation attempts it would have resulted in the most epic identity theft in the history of the universe because the devil would have ascended above the Most High.\n\nAgain Jesus\' divine identity prevented that theft from happening.\n<h3>Other Divine Identity Theft Attempts</h3>\nThroughout the remainder of Jesus\' recorded life, the scriptures state that his heavenly sonship continued to be questioned. Perhaps most notable are several examples at the time of his crucifixion:\n<ul>\n	<li>Roman guards beat and mocked Jesus demanding a display of his power - <a href=\"http://bible.cc/luke/22-64.htm\">Luke 22:64</a> and <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A36-38&amp;version=AMP\">Luke 23:36-38</a></li>\n	<li>The magistrate Herod demanded a sign or miracle - <a href=\"http://www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?q=Luke%2023:8-11\">Luke 23: 8-11</a></li>\n	<li>One of the thieves crucified along side of Jesus also demanded a sign and power display - <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Luke+23.39-43/\">Luke 23:39-43</a></li>\n	<li>As well as local leaders who stood and watched Jesus die mocking his divinity claim - <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A33-35&amp;version=NIV\">Luke 33:35</a></li>\n</ul>\n<h3>Restraint Was Jesus\' Greatest Miracle</h3>\nOne of the most interesting yet overlooked aspects of Jesus\' identity was that he never felt compelled to prove himself to anybody. Throughout all of scripture, Jesus wasn\'t moved to perform miracles by violence, coerscion or even threat of death. He was however moved by compassion, faith and recognize that he was who he said he was.\n\nThose who recognized his true identity as the son of God, were the only ones who received his miracles and blessing.\n\nEven while hanging on the cross, amidst the sneering jeers to save himself and thereby prove his divintiy to the people, Jesus knew that if he came down off that tree his true identity as a sinless sacrifice and sole path for redemption would have been abdicated and his divine mission forfeited.\n\nJesus was the only one who knew that, and his restraint to maintain that identity ultimately reconciled us back to the Father.\n<h3>Hijacking Jesus\'s Identity Today</h3>\nFast forward 2,000 years to the current era where we routinely, albeit unwittingly perhaps, try to strip Jesus of his divinity today.\n\nWe do that when believers and non-believers alike give God an ultimatum that we will <em><strong>only</strong></em> believe in him if he acts or intervenes on our behalf for healing, finances, peace, relational restoration or any other legitimate need.\n\nBut when we make such demands, how are we any different than those we\'ve looked at who goaded God to act such as the robber, Herod, the centurions or even Satan himself?\n\nWe aren\'t.\n\nHopefully we can identify with that failing and find grace waiting in the arms of a loving savior who can identify with every aspect of our frailties.\n\n&nbsp;','Hijacking Jesus\' Identity','','inherit','open','open','','5552-revision-23','','','2012-03-22 17:57:33','2012-03-23 00:57:33','',5552,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/22/5552-revision-23/',0,'revision','',0),(5581,153,'2012-03-22 17:58:23','2012-03-23 00:58:23','[caption id=\"attachment_5571\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"487\" caption=\"usage rights secured via dreamstime.com\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-5571\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"487\" height=\"199\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n<h2>The Ongoing Identity Theft of Jesus</h2>\r\nThe divinity of Jesus has been questioned for thousands of years.\r\n\r\nIt\'s not surprising that one of the first recorded instances of this divine doubt occurred before Jesus officially started his ministry. According to the gospel of Matthew, Jesus was fasting in the desert for 40 days when the devil approached Jesus in the wasteland and questioning the Lord\'s deistic attributes.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Appetite</h3>\r\nWe read in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A3-4&amp;version=NKJV\">Matthew 4:3-4</a> that the tempter questioned that if Jesus was indeed the Son of God, then Jesus would be able to turn nearby rock piles warmed by the sun into piles of warm bread. Jesus parried with the classic, \"...<em>man shall not live by bread alone...</em>\" verbal retort despite the gnawing hunger in his human belly. This exchange clearly shows that both individuals knew that Jesus was both God and man.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Prophecy</h3>\r\nSubsequently the devil quotes scripture to Jesus, as seen in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A5-7&amp;version=NIV\">Matthew 4:5-7</a>, where the adversary asserts that Jesus could fling himself from the cliff and the \"<em>...angels would bear him up...</em>\" in a seeming appeal for Jesus to fulfill prophecy written centuries before that the Messiah would have to die. Jesus didn\'t fall for it - figuratively nor literally. The scriptures state that Jesus was closely attuned to the will and timing of God, and that his time of death had not yet come - further solidifying his deity identity.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Compassion</h3>\r\nThe chapter goes on to state in <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Matthew+4.8-11/\">Matthew 4:8-11</a> that the devil changed tactics and tried to appeal to Christ\'s love of humanity by offering the world which had been subjected to demonic control since The Fall in Eden in exchange for Jesus falling to his knees in worship of the first fallen angel.\r\n\r\nHad Jesus agreed to this quick-fix alternative to salvation - and he could have - the earth might have been redeemed but not the way that God had wanted. Jesus understood that fact because of his celestial connection to the Father.\r\n\r\nOne stern rebuke from Jesus and the devil left - while Jesus\' divinity was challenged in was not diminished in any way.\r\n\r\nHowever, had Jesus yielded to any of those temptation attempts it would have resulted in the most epic identity theft in the history of the universe because the devil would have ascended above the Most High.\r\n\r\nAgain Jesus\' divine identity prevented that theft from happening.\r\n<h3>Other Divine Identity Theft Attempts</h3>\r\nThroughout the remainder of Jesus\' recorded life, the scriptures state that his heavenly sonship continued to be questioned. Perhaps most notable are several examples at the time of his crucifixion:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Roman guards beat and mocked Jesus demanding a display of his power - <a href=\"http://bible.cc/luke/22-64.htm\">Luke 22:64</a> and <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A36-38&amp;version=AMP\">Luke 23:36-38</a></li>\r\n	<li>The magistrate Herod demanded a sign or miracle - <a href=\"http://www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?q=Luke%2023:8-11\">Luke 23: 8-11</a></li>\r\n	<li>One of the thieves crucified along side of Jesus also demanded a sign and power display - <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Luke+23.39-43/\">Luke 23:39-43</a></li>\r\n	<li>As well as local leaders who stood and watched Jesus die mocking his divinity claim - <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A33-35&amp;version=NIV\">Luke 33:35</a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h3>Restraint Was Jesus\' Greatest Miracle</h3>\r\nOne of the most interesting yet overlooked aspects of Jesus\' identity was that he never felt compelled to prove himself to anybody. Throughout all of scripture, Jesus wasn\'t moved to perform miracles by violence, coerscion or even threat of death. He was however moved by compassion, faith and recognize that he was who he said he was.\r\n\r\nThose who recognized his true identity as the son of God, were the only ones who received his miracles and blessing.\r\n\r\nEven while hanging on the cross, amidst the sneering jeers to save himself and thereby prove his divintiy to the people, Jesus knew that if he came down off that tree his true identity as a sinless sacrifice and sole path for redemption would have been abdicated and his divine mission forfeited.\r\n\r\nJesus was the only one who knew that, and his restraint to maintain that identity ultimately reconciled us back to the Father.\r\n<h3>Hijacking Jesus\'s Identity Today</h3>\r\nFast forward 2,000 years to the current era where we routinely, albeit unwittingly perhaps, try to strip Jesus of his divinity today.\r\n\r\nWe do that when believers and non-believers alike give God an ultimatum that we will <em><strong>only</strong></em> believe in him if he acts or intervenes on our behalf for healing, finances, peace, relational restoration or any other legitimate need.\r\n\r\nBut when we make such demands, how are we any different than those we\'ve looked at who goaded God to act such as the robber, Herod, the centurions or even Satan himself?\r\n\r\nWe aren\'t.\r\n\r\nHopefully we can identify with that failing and find grace waiting in the arms of a loving savior who can identify with every aspect of our frailties.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Hijacking Jesus\' Identity','','inherit','open','open','','5552-revision-24','','','2012-03-22 17:58:23','2012-03-23 00:58:23','',5552,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/22/5552-revision-24/',0,'revision','',0),(5582,153,'2012-03-22 17:58:30','2012-03-23 00:58:30','[caption id=\"attachment_5571\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"487\" caption=\"usage rights secured via dreamstime.com\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-5571\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"487\" height=\"199\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n<h2>The Ongoing Identity Theft of Jesus</h2>\r\nThe divinity of Jesus has been questioned for thousands of years.\r\n\r\nIt\'s not surprising that one of the first recorded instances of this divine doubt occurred before Jesus officially started his ministry. According to the gospel of Matthew, Jesus was fasting in the desert for 40 days when the devil approached Jesus in the wasteland and questioning the Lord\'s deistic attributes.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Appetite</h3>\r\nWe read in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A3-4&amp;version=NKJV\">Matthew 4:3-4</a> that the tempter questioned that if Jesus was indeed the Son of God, then Jesus would be able to turn nearby rock piles warmed by the sun into piles of warm bread. Jesus parried with the classic, \"...<em>man shall not live by bread alone...</em>\" verbal retort despite the gnawing hunger in his human belly. This exchange clearly shows that both individuals knew that Jesus was both God and man.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Prophecy</h3>\r\nSubsequently the devil quotes scripture to Jesus, as seen in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A5-7&amp;version=NIV\">Matthew 4:5-7</a>, where the adversary asserts that Jesus could fling himself from the cliff and the \"<em>...angels would bear him up...</em>\" in a seeming appeal for Jesus to fulfill prophecy written centuries before that the Messiah would have to die. Jesus didn\'t fall for it - figuratively nor literally. The scriptures state that Jesus was closely attuned to the will and timing of God, and that his time of death had not yet come - further solidifying his deity identity.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Compassion</h3>\r\nThe chapter goes on to state in <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Matthew+4.8-11/\">Matthew 4:8-11</a> that the devil changed tactics and tried to appeal to Christ\'s love of humanity by offering the world which had been subjected to demonic control since The Fall in Eden in exchange for Jesus falling to his knees in worship of the first fallen angel.\r\n\r\nHad Jesus agreed to this quick-fix alternative to salvation - and he could have - the earth might have been redeemed but not the way that God had wanted. Jesus understood that fact because of his celestial connection to the Father.\r\n\r\nOne stern rebuke from Jesus and the devil left - while Jesus\' divinity was challenged in was not diminished in any way.\r\n\r\nHowever, had Jesus yielded to any of those temptation attempts it would have resulted in the most epic identity theft in the history of the universe because the devil would have ascended above the Most High.\r\n\r\nAgain Jesus\' divine identity prevented that theft from happening.\r\n<h3>Other Divine Identity Theft Attempts</h3>\r\nThroughout the remainder of Jesus\' recorded life, the scriptures state that his heavenly sonship continued to be questioned. Perhaps most notable are several examples at the time of his crucifixion:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Roman guards beat and mocked Jesus demanding a display of his power - <a href=\"http://bible.cc/luke/22-64.htm\">Luke 22:64</a> and <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A36-38&amp;version=AMP\">Luke 23:36-38</a></li>\r\n	<li>The magistrate Herod demanded a sign or miracle - <a href=\"http://www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?q=Luke%2023:8-11\">Luke 23: 8-11</a></li>\r\n	<li>One of the thieves crucified along side of Jesus also demanded a sign and power display - <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Luke+23.39-43/\">Luke 23:39-43</a></li>\r\n	<li>As well as local leaders who stood and watched Jesus die mocking his divinity claim - <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A33-35&amp;version=NIV\">Luke 33:35</a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h3>Restraint Was Jesus\' Greatest Miracle</h3>\r\nOne of the most interesting yet overlooked aspects of Jesus\' identity was that he never felt compelled to prove himself to anybody. Throughout all of scripture, Jesus wasn\'t moved to perform miracles by violence, coerscion or even threat of death. He was however moved by compassion, faith and recognize that he was who he said he was.\r\n\r\nThose who recognized his true identity as the son of God, were the only ones who received his miracles and blessing.\r\n\r\nEven while hanging on the cross, amidst the sneering jeers to save himself and thereby prove his divintiy to the people, Jesus knew that if he came down off that tree his true identity as a sinless sacrifice and sole path for redemption would have been abdicated and his divine mission forfeited.\r\n\r\nJesus was the only one who knew that, and his restraint to maintain that identity ultimately reconciled us back to the Father.\r\n<h3>Hijacking Jesus\'s Identity Today</h3>\r\nFast forward 2,000 years to the current era where we routinely, albeit unwittingly perhaps, try to strip Jesus of his divinity today.\r\n\r\nWe do that when believers and non-believers alike give God an ultimatum that we will <em><strong>only</strong></em> believe in him if he acts or intervenes on our behalf for healing, finances, peace, relational restoration or any other legitimate need.\r\n\r\nBut when we make such demands, how are we any different than those we\'ve looked at who goaded God to act such as the robber, Herod, the centurions or even Satan himself?\r\n\r\nWe aren\'t.\r\n\r\nHopefully we can identify with that failing and find grace waiting in the arms of a loving savior who can identify with every aspect of our frailties.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Hijacking Jesus\' Identity','','inherit','open','open','','5552-revision-25','','','2012-03-22 17:58:30','2012-03-23 00:58:30','',5552,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/22/5552-revision-25/',0,'revision','',0),(5583,153,'2012-03-22 17:59:25','2012-03-23 00:59:25','[caption id=\"attachment_5571\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"487\" caption=\"usage rights secured via dreamstime.com\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-5571\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"487\" height=\"199\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n<h2>The Ongoing Identity Theft of Jesus</h2>\r\nThe divinity of Jesus has been questioned for thousands of years.\r\n\r\nIt\'s not surprising that one of the first recorded instances of this divine doubt occurred before Jesus officially started his ministry. According to the gospel of Matthew, Jesus was fasting in the desert for 40 days when the devil approached Jesus in the wasteland and questioning the Lord\'s deistic attributes.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Appetite</h3>\r\nWe read in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A3-4&amp;version=NKJV\">Matthew 4:3-4</a> that the tempter questioned that if Jesus was indeed the Son of God, then Jesus would be able to turn nearby rock piles warmed by the sun into piles of warm bread. Jesus parried with the classic, \"...<em>man shall not live by bread alone...</em>\" verbal retort despite the gnawing hunger in his human belly. This exchange clearly shows that both individuals knew that Jesus was both God and man.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Prophecy</h3>\r\nSubsequently the devil quotes scripture to Jesus, as seen in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A5-7&amp;version=NIV\">Matthew 4:5-7</a>, where the adversary asserts that Jesus could fling himself from the cliff and the \"<em>...angels would bear him up...</em>\" in a seeming appeal for Jesus to fulfill prophecy written centuries before that the Messiah would have to die. Jesus didn\'t fall for it - figuratively nor literally. The scriptures state that Jesus was closely attuned to the will and timing of God, and that his time of death had not yet come - further solidifying his deity identity.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Compassion</h3>\r\nThe chapter goes on to state in <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Matthew+4.8-11/\">Matthew 4:8-11</a> that the devil changed tactics and tried to appeal to Christ\'s love of humanity by offering the world which had been subjected to demonic control since The Fall in Eden in exchange for Jesus falling to his knees in worship of the first fallen angel.\r\n\r\nHad Jesus agreed to this quick-fix alternative to salvation - and he could have - the earth might have been redeemed but not the way that God had wanted. Jesus understood that fact because of his celestial connection to the Father.\r\n\r\nOne stern rebuke from Jesus and the devil left - while Jesus\' divinity was challenged in was not diminished in any way.\r\n\r\nHowever, had Jesus yielded to any of those temptation attempts it would have resulted in the most epic identity theft in the history of the universe because the devil would have ascended above the Most High.\r\n\r\nAgain Jesus\' divine identity prevented that theft from happening.\r\n<h3>Other Divine Identity Theft Attempts</h3>\r\nThroughout the remainder of Jesus\' recorded life, the scriptures state that his heavenly sonship continued to be questioned. Perhaps most notable are several examples at the time of his crucifixion:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Roman guards beat and mocked Jesus demanding a display of his power - <a href=\"http://bible.cc/luke/22-64.htm\">Luke 22:64</a> and <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A36-38&amp;version=AMP\">Luke 23:36-38</a></li>\r\n	<li>The magistrate Herod demanded a sign or miracle - <a href=\"http://www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?q=Luke%2023:8-11\">Luke 23: 8-11</a></li>\r\n	<li>One of the thieves crucified along side of Jesus also demanded a sign and power display - <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Luke+23.39-43/\">Luke 23:39-43</a></li>\r\n	<li>As well as local leaders who stood and watched Jesus die mocking his divinity claim - <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A33-35&amp;version=NIV\">Luke 33:35</a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h3>Restraint Was Jesus\' Greatest Miracle</h3>\r\nOne of the most interesting yet overlooked aspects of Jesus\' identity was that he never felt compelled to prove himself to anybody. Throughout all of scripture, Jesus wasn\'t moved to perform miracles by violence, coerscion or even threat of death. He was however moved by compassion, faith and recognize that he was who he said he was.\r\n\r\nThose who recognized his true identity as the son of God, were the only ones who received his miracles and blessing.\r\n\r\nEven while hanging on the cross, amidst the sneering jeers to save himself and thereby prove his divintiy to the people, Jesus knew that if he came down off that tree his true identity as a sinless sacrifice and sole path for redemption would have been abdicated and his divine mission forfeited.\r\n\r\nJesus was the only one who knew that, and his restraint to maintain that identity ultimately reconciled us back to the Father.\r\n<h3>Hijacking Jesus\' Identity Today</h3>\r\nFast forward 2,000 years to the current era where we routinely, albeit unwittingly perhaps, try to strip Jesus of his divinity today.\r\n\r\nWe do that when believers and non-believers alike give God an ultimatum that we will <em><strong>only</strong></em> believe in him if he acts or intervenes on our behalf for healing, finances, peace, relational restoration or any other legitimate need.\r\n\r\nBut when we make such demands, how are we any different than those we\'ve looked at who goaded God to act such as the robber, Herod, the centurions or even Satan himself?\r\n\r\nWe aren\'t.\r\n\r\nHopefully we can identify with that failing and find grace waiting in the arms of a loving savior who can identify with every aspect of our frailties.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Hijacking Jesus\' Identity','','inherit','open','open','','5552-revision-26','','','2012-03-22 17:59:25','2012-03-23 00:59:25','',5552,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/22/5552-revision-26/',0,'revision','',0),(5584,153,'2012-03-22 17:59:43','2012-03-23 00:59:43','[caption id=\"attachment_5571\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"487\" caption=\"usage rights secured via dreamstime.com\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-5571\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"487\" height=\"199\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n<h2>The Ongoing Identity Theft of Jesus</h2>\r\nThe divinity of Jesus has been questioned for thousands of years.\r\n\r\nIt\'s not surprising that one of the first recorded instances of this divine doubt occurred before Jesus officially started his ministry. According to the gospel of Matthew, Jesus was fasting in the desert for 40 days when the devil approached Jesus in the wasteland and questioning the Lord\'s deistic attributes.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Appetite</h3>\r\nWe read in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A3-4&amp;version=NKJV\">Matthew 4:3-4</a> that the tempter questioned that if Jesus was indeed the Son of God, then Jesus would be able to turn nearby rock piles warmed by the sun into piles of warm bread. Jesus parried with the classic, \"...<em>man shall not live by bread alone...</em>\" verbal retort despite the gnawing hunger in his human belly. This exchange clearly shows that both individuals knew that Jesus was both God and man.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Prophecy</h3>\r\nSubsequently the devil quotes scripture to Jesus, as seen in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A5-7&amp;version=NIV\">Matthew 4:5-7</a>, where the adversary asserts that Jesus could fling himself from the cliff and the \"<em>...angels would bear him up...</em>\" in a seeming appeal for Jesus to fulfill prophecy written centuries before that the Messiah would have to die. Jesus didn\'t fall for it - figuratively nor literally. The scriptures state that Jesus was closely attuned to the will and timing of God, and that his time of death had not yet come - further solidifying his deity identity.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Compassion</h3>\r\nThe chapter goes on to state in <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Matthew+4.8-11/\">Matthew 4:8-11</a> that the devil changed tactics and tried to appeal to Christ\'s love of humanity by offering the world which had been subjected to demonic control since The Fall in Eden in exchange for Jesus falling to his knees in worship of the first fallen angel.\r\n\r\nHad Jesus agreed to this quick-fix alternative to salvation - and he could have - the earth might have been redeemed but not the way that God had wanted. Jesus understood that fact because of his celestial connection to the Father.\r\n\r\nOne stern rebuke from Jesus and the devil left - while Jesus\' divinity was challenged in was not diminished in any way.\r\n\r\nHowever, had Jesus yielded to any of those temptation attempts it would have resulted in the most epic identity theft in the history of the universe because the devil would have ascended above the Most High.\r\n\r\nAgain Jesus\' divine identity prevented that theft from happening.\r\n<h3>Other Divine Identity Theft Attempts</h3>\r\nThroughout the remainder of Jesus\' recorded life, the scriptures state that his heavenly sonship continued to be questioned. Perhaps most notable are several examples at the time of his crucifixion:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Roman guards beat and mocked Jesus demanding a display of his power - <a href=\"http://bible.cc/luke/22-64.htm\">Luke 22:64</a> and <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A36-38&amp;version=AMP\">Luke 23:36-38</a></li>\r\n	<li>The magistrate Herod demanded a sign or miracle - <a href=\"http://www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?q=Luke%2023:8-11\">Luke 23: 8-11</a></li>\r\n	<li>One of the thieves crucified along side of Jesus also demanded a sign and power display - <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Luke+23.39-43/\">Luke 23:39-43</a></li>\r\n	<li>As well as local leaders who stood and watched Jesus die mocking his divinity claim - <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A33-35&amp;version=NIV\">Luke 33:35</a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h3>Restraint Was Jesus\' Greatest Miracle</h3>\r\nOne of the most interesting yet overlooked aspects of Jesus\' identity was that he never felt compelled to prove himself to anybody. Throughout all of scripture, Jesus wasn\'t moved to perform miracles by violence, coerscion or even threat of death. He was however moved by compassion, faith and recognize that he was who he said he was.\r\n\r\nThose who recognized his true identity as the son of God, were the only ones who received his miracles and blessing.\r\n\r\nEven while hanging on the cross, amidst the sneering jeers to save himself and thereby prove his divintiy to the people, Jesus knew that if he came down off that tree his true identity as a sinless sacrifice and sole path for redemption would have been abdicated and his divine mission forfeited.\r\n\r\nJesus was the only one who knew that, and his restraint to maintain that identity ultimately reconciled us back to the Father.\r\n<h3>Hijacking Jesus\' Identity Today</h3>\r\nFast forward 2,000 years to the current era where we routinely, albeit unwittingly perhaps, try to strip Jesus of his divinity today.\r\n\r\nWe do that when believers and non-believers alike give God an ultimatum that we will <em><strong>only</strong></em> believe in him if he acts or intervenes on our behalf for healing, finances, peace, relational restoration or any other legitimate need.\r\n\r\nBut when we make such demands, how are we any different than those we\'ve looked at who goaded God to act such as the robber, Herod, the centurions or even Satan himself?\r\n\r\nWe aren\'t.\r\n\r\nHopefully we can identify with that failing and find grace waiting in the arms of a loving savior who can identify with every aspect of our frailties.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Hijacking Jesus\' Identity','','inherit','open','open','','5552-revision-27','','','2012-03-22 17:59:43','2012-03-23 00:59:43','',5552,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/22/5552-revision-27/',0,'revision','',0),(5585,153,'2012-03-22 18:00:59','2012-03-23 01:00:59','[caption id=\"attachment_5571\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"487\" caption=\"usage rights secured via dreamstime.com\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-5571\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"487\" height=\"199\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n<h2>The Ongoing Identity Theft of Jesus</h2>\r\nThe divinity of Jesus has been questioned for thousands of years.\r\n\r\nIt\'s not surprising that one of the first recorded instances of this divine doubt occurred before Jesus officially started his ministry. According to the gospel of Matthew, Jesus was fasting in the desert for 40 days when the devil approached Jesus in the wasteland and questioning the Lord\'s deistic attributes.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Appetite</h3>\r\nWe read in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A3-4&amp;version=NKJV\">Matthew 4:3-4</a> that the tempter questioned that if Jesus was indeed the Son of God, then Jesus would be able to turn nearby rock piles warmed by the sun into piles of warm bread. Jesus parried with the classic, \"...<em>man shall not live by bread alone...</em>\" verbal retort despite the gnawing hunger in his human belly. This exchange clearly shows that both individuals knew that Jesus was both God and man.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Prophecy</h3>\r\nSubsequently the devil quotes scripture to Jesus, as seen in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A5-7&amp;version=NIV\">Matthew 4:5-7</a>, where the adversary asserts that Jesus could fling himself from the cliff and the \"<em>...angels would bear him up...</em>\" in a seeming appeal for Jesus to fulfill prophecy written centuries before that the Messiah would have to die. Jesus didn\'t fall for it - figuratively nor literally. The scriptures state that Jesus was closely attuned to the will and timing of God, and that his time of death had not yet come - further solidifying his deity identity.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Compassion</h3>\r\nThe chapter goes on to state in <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Matthew+4.8-11/\">Matthew 4:8-11</a> that the devil changed tactics and tried to appeal to Christ\'s love of humanity by offering the world which had been subjected to demonic control since The Fall in Eden in exchange for Jesus falling to his knees in worship of the first fallen angel.\r\n\r\nHad Jesus agreed to this quick-fix alternative to salvation - and he could have - the earth might have been redeemed but not the way that God had wanted. Jesus understood that fact because of his celestial connection to the Father.\r\n\r\nOne stern rebuke from Jesus and the devil left - while Jesus\' divinity was challenged in was not diminished in any way.\r\n\r\nHowever, had Jesus yielded to any of those temptation attempts it would have resulted in the most epic identity theft in the history of the universe because the devil would have ascended above the Most High.\r\n\r\nAgain Jesus\' divine identity prevented that theft from happening.\r\n<h3>Other Divine Identity Theft Attempts</h3>\r\nThroughout the remainder of Jesus\' recorded life, the scriptures state that his heavenly sonship continued to be questioned. Perhaps most notable are several examples at the time of his crucifixion:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Roman guards beat and mocked Jesus demanding a display of his power - <a href=\"http://bible.cc/luke/22-64.htm\">Luke 22:64</a> and <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A36-38&amp;version=AMP\">Luke 23:36-38</a></li>\r\n	<li>The magistrate Herod demanded a sign or miracle - <a href=\"http://www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?q=Luke%2023:8-11\">Luke 23: 8-11</a></li>\r\n	<li>One of the thieves crucified along side of Jesus also demanded a sign and power display - <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Luke+23.39-43/\">Luke 23:39-43</a></li>\r\n	<li>As well as local leaders who stood and watched Jesus die mocking his divinity claim - <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A33-35&amp;version=NIV\">Luke 33:35</a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h3>Restraint Was Jesus\' Greatest Miracle</h3>\r\nOne of the most interesting yet overlooked aspects of Jesus\' identity was that he never felt compelled to prove himself to anybody. Throughout all of scripture, Jesus wasn\'t moved to perform miracles by violence, coerscion or even threat of death. He was however moved by compassion, faith and recognize that he was who he said he was.\r\n\r\nThose who recognized his true identity as the son of God, were the only ones who received his miracles and blessing.\r\n\r\nEven while hanging on the cross, amidst the sneering jeers to save himself and thereby prove his divintiy to the people, Jesus knew that if he came down off that tree his true identity as a sinless sacrifice and sole path for redemption would have been abdicated and his divine mission forfeited.\r\n\r\nJesus was the only one who knew that, and his restraint to maintain that identity ultimately reconciled us back to the Father.\r\n<h3>Hijacking Jesus\' Identity Today</h3>\r\nFast forward 2,000 years to the current era where we routinely, albeit unwittingly perhaps, try to strip Jesus of his divinity today.\r\n\r\nWe do that when believers and non-believers alike give God an ultimatum that we will <em><strong>only</strong></em> believe in him if he acts or intervenes on our behalf for healing, finances, peace, relational restoration or any other legitimate need.\r\n\r\nBut when we make such demands, how are we any different than those we\'ve looked at who goaded God to act such as the robber, Herod, the centurions or even Satan himself?\r\n\r\nWe aren\'t.\r\n\r\nHopefully we can identify with that failing and find grace waiting in the arms of a loving savior who can identify with every aspect of our frailties.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Hijacking Jesus\' Identity','','inherit','open','open','','5552-revision-28','','','2012-03-22 18:00:59','2012-03-23 01:00:59','',5552,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/22/5552-revision-28/',0,'revision','',0),(5586,153,'2012-03-22 18:01:44','2012-03-23 01:01:44','[caption id=\"attachment_5571\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"487\" caption=\"usage rights secured via dreamstime.com\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-5571\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"487\" height=\"199\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n<h2>The Ongoing Identity Theft of Jesus</h2>\r\nThe divinity of Jesus has been questioned for thousands of years.\r\n\r\nIt\'s not surprising that one of the first recorded instances of this divine doubt occurred before Jesus officially started his ministry. According to the gospel of Matthew, Jesus was fasting in the desert for 40 days when the devil approached him in the wasteland and questioning the Lord\'s deistic attributes.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Appetite</h3>\r\nWe read in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A3-4&amp;version=NKJV\">Matthew 4:3-4</a> that the tempter questioned that if Jesus was indeed the Son of God, then Jesus would be able to turn nearby rock piles warmed by the sun into piles of warm bread. Jesus parried with the classic, \"...<em>man shall not live by bread alone...</em>\" verbal retort despite the gnawing hunger in his human belly. This exchange clearly shows that both individuals knew that Jesus was both God and man.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Prophecy</h3>\r\nSubsequently the devil quotes scripture to Jesus, as seen in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A5-7&amp;version=NIV\">Matthew 4:5-7</a>, where the adversary asserts that Jesus could fling himself from the cliff and the \"<em>...angels would bear him up...</em>\" in a seeming appeal for Jesus to fulfill prophecy written centuries before that the Messiah would have to die. Jesus didn\'t fall for it - figuratively nor literally. The scriptures state that Jesus was closely attuned to the will and timing of God, and that his time of death had not yet come - further solidifying his deity identity.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Compassion</h3>\r\nThe chapter goes on to state in <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Matthew+4.8-11/\">Matthew 4:8-11</a> that the devil changed tactics and tried to appeal to Christ\'s love of humanity by offering the world which had been subjected to demonic control since The Fall in Eden in exchange for Jesus falling to his knees in worship of the first fallen angel.\r\n\r\nHad Jesus agreed to this quick-fix alternative to salvation - and he could have - the earth might have been redeemed but not the way that God had wanted. Jesus understood that fact because of his celestial connection to the Father.\r\n\r\nOne stern rebuke from Jesus and the devil left - while Jesus\' divinity was challenged in was not diminished in any way.\r\n\r\nHowever, had Jesus yielded to any of those temptation attempts it would have resulted in the most epic identity theft in the history of the universe because the devil would have ascended above the Most High.\r\n\r\nAgain Jesus\' divine identity prevented that theft from happening.\r\n<h3>Other Divine Identity Theft Attempts</h3>\r\nThroughout the remainder of Jesus\' recorded life, the scriptures state that his heavenly sonship continued to be questioned. Perhaps most notable are several examples at the time of his crucifixion:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Roman guards beat and mocked Jesus demanding a display of his power - <a href=\"http://bible.cc/luke/22-64.htm\">Luke 22:64</a> and <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A36-38&amp;version=AMP\">Luke 23:36-38</a></li>\r\n	<li>The magistrate Herod demanded a sign or miracle - <a href=\"http://www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?q=Luke%2023:8-11\">Luke 23: 8-11</a></li>\r\n	<li>One of the thieves crucified along side of Jesus also demanded a sign and power display - <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Luke+23.39-43/\">Luke 23:39-43</a></li>\r\n	<li>As well as local leaders who stood and watched Jesus die mocking his divinity claim - <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A33-35&amp;version=NIV\">Luke 33:35</a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h3>Restraint Was Jesus\' Greatest Miracle</h3>\r\nOne of the most interesting yet overlooked aspects of Jesus\' identity was that he never felt compelled to prove himself to anybody. Throughout all of scripture, Jesus wasn\'t moved to perform miracles by violence, coerscion or even threat of death. He was however moved by compassion, faith and recognize that he was who he said he was.\r\n\r\nThose who recognized his true identity as the son of God, were the only ones who received his miracles and blessing.\r\n\r\nEven while hanging on the cross, amidst the sneering jeers to save himself and thereby prove his divintiy to the people, Jesus knew that if he came down off that tree his true identity as a sinless sacrifice and sole path for redemption would have been abdicated and his divine mission forfeited.\r\n\r\nJesus was the only one who knew that, and his restraint to maintain that identity ultimately reconciled us back to the Father.\r\n<h3>Hijacking Jesus\' Identity Today</h3>\r\nFast forward 2,000 years to the current era where we routinely, albeit unwittingly perhaps, try to strip Jesus of his divinity today.\r\n\r\nWe do that when believers and non-believers alike give God an ultimatum that we will <em><strong>only</strong></em> believe in him if he acts or intervenes on our behalf for healing, finances, peace, relational restoration or any other legitimate need.\r\n\r\nBut when we make such demands, how are we any different than those we\'ve looked at who goaded God to act such as the robber, Herod, the centurions or even Satan himself?\r\n\r\nWe aren\'t.\r\n\r\nHopefully we can identify with that failing and find grace waiting in the arms of a loving savior who can identify with every aspect of our frailties.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Hijacking Jesus\' Identity','','inherit','open','open','','5552-revision-29','','','2012-03-22 18:01:44','2012-03-23 01:01:44','',5552,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/22/5552-revision-29/',0,'revision','',0),(5587,153,'2012-03-22 18:02:14','2012-03-23 01:02:14','[caption id=\"attachment_5571\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"487\" caption=\"usage rights secured via dreamstime.com\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-5571\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"487\" height=\"199\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n<h2>The Ongoing Identity Theft of Jesus</h2>\r\nThe divinity of Jesus has been questioned for thousands of years.\r\n\r\nIt\'s not surprising that one of the first recorded instances of this divine doubt occurred before Jesus officially started his ministry. According to the gospel of Matthew, Jesus was fasting in the desert for 40 days when the devil approached him in the wasteland - questioning the Lord\'s deistic attributes.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Appetite</h3>\r\nWe read in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A3-4&amp;version=NKJV\">Matthew 4:3-4</a> that the tempter questioned that if Jesus was indeed the Son of God, then Jesus would be able to turn nearby rock piles warmed by the sun into piles of warm bread. Jesus parried with the classic, \"...<em>man shall not live by bread alone...</em>\" verbal retort despite the gnawing hunger in his human belly. This exchange clearly shows that both individuals knew that Jesus was both God and man.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Prophecy</h3>\r\nSubsequently the devil quotes scripture to Jesus, as seen in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A5-7&amp;version=NIV\">Matthew 4:5-7</a>, where the adversary asserts that Jesus could fling himself from the cliff and the \"<em>...angels would bear him up...</em>\" in a seeming appeal for Jesus to fulfill prophecy written centuries before that the Messiah would have to die. Jesus didn\'t fall for it - figuratively nor literally. The scriptures state that Jesus was closely attuned to the will and timing of God, and that his time of death had not yet come - further solidifying his deity identity.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Compassion</h3>\r\nThe chapter goes on to state in <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Matthew+4.8-11/\">Matthew 4:8-11</a> that the devil changed tactics and tried to appeal to Christ\'s love of humanity by offering the world which had been subjected to demonic control since The Fall in Eden in exchange for Jesus falling to his knees in worship of the first fallen angel.\r\n\r\nHad Jesus agreed to this quick-fix alternative to salvation - and he could have - the earth might have been redeemed but not the way that God had wanted. Jesus understood that fact because of his celestial connection to the Father.\r\n\r\nOne stern rebuke from Jesus and the devil left - while Jesus\' divinity was challenged in was not diminished in any way.\r\n\r\nHowever, had Jesus yielded to any of those temptation attempts it would have resulted in the most epic identity theft in the history of the universe because the devil would have ascended above the Most High.\r\n\r\nAgain Jesus\' divine identity prevented that theft from happening.\r\n<h3>Other Divine Identity Theft Attempts</h3>\r\nThroughout the remainder of Jesus\' recorded life, the scriptures state that his heavenly sonship continued to be questioned. Perhaps most notable are several examples at the time of his crucifixion:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Roman guards beat and mocked Jesus demanding a display of his power - <a href=\"http://bible.cc/luke/22-64.htm\">Luke 22:64</a> and <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A36-38&amp;version=AMP\">Luke 23:36-38</a></li>\r\n	<li>The magistrate Herod demanded a sign or miracle - <a href=\"http://www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?q=Luke%2023:8-11\">Luke 23: 8-11</a></li>\r\n	<li>One of the thieves crucified along side of Jesus also demanded a sign and power display - <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Luke+23.39-43/\">Luke 23:39-43</a></li>\r\n	<li>As well as local leaders who stood and watched Jesus die mocking his divinity claim - <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A33-35&amp;version=NIV\">Luke 33:35</a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h3>Restraint Was Jesus\' Greatest Miracle</h3>\r\nOne of the most interesting yet overlooked aspects of Jesus\' identity was that he never felt compelled to prove himself to anybody. Throughout all of scripture, Jesus wasn\'t moved to perform miracles by violence, coerscion or even threat of death. He was however moved by compassion, faith and recognize that he was who he said he was.\r\n\r\nThose who recognized his true identity as the son of God, were the only ones who received his miracles and blessing.\r\n\r\nEven while hanging on the cross, amidst the sneering jeers to save himself and thereby prove his divintiy to the people, Jesus knew that if he came down off that tree his true identity as a sinless sacrifice and sole path for redemption would have been abdicated and his divine mission forfeited.\r\n\r\nJesus was the only one who knew that, and his restraint to maintain that identity ultimately reconciled us back to the Father.\r\n<h3>Hijacking Jesus\' Identity Today</h3>\r\nFast forward 2,000 years to the current era where we routinely, albeit unwittingly perhaps, try to strip Jesus of his divinity today.\r\n\r\nWe do that when believers and non-believers alike give God an ultimatum that we will <em><strong>only</strong></em> believe in him if he acts or intervenes on our behalf for healing, finances, peace, relational restoration or any other legitimate need.\r\n\r\nBut when we make such demands, how are we any different than those we\'ve looked at who goaded God to act such as the robber, Herod, the centurions or even Satan himself?\r\n\r\nWe aren\'t.\r\n\r\nHopefully we can identify with that failing and find grace waiting in the arms of a loving savior who can identify with every aspect of our frailties.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Hijacking Jesus\' Identity','','inherit','open','open','','5552-revision-30','','','2012-03-22 18:02:14','2012-03-23 01:02:14','',5552,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/22/5552-revision-30/',0,'revision','',0),(5588,153,'2012-03-22 18:05:53','2012-03-23 01:05:53','[caption id=\"attachment_5571\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"487\" caption=\"usage rights secured via dreamstime.com\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-5571\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"487\" height=\"199\" /></a>[/caption]\n<h2>The Ongoing Identity Theft of Jesus</h2>\nThe divinity of Jesus has been questioned for thousands of years.\n\nIt\'s not surprising that one of the first recorded instances of this divine doubt occurred before Jesus officially started his ministry. According to the gospel of Matthew, Jesus was fasting in the desert for 40 days when the devil approached him in the wasteland - questioning the Lord\'s deistic attributes.\n<h3>Appealing to Appetite</h3>\nWe read in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A3-4&amp;version=NKJV\">Matthew 4:3-4</a> that the tempter questioned that if Jesus was indeed the Son of God, then Jesus would be able to turn nearby rock piles warmed by the desert sun into piles of warm bread. Jesus parried with the classic, \"...<em>man shall not live by bread alone...</em>\" verbal retort despite the gnawing hunger in his human belly. This exchange points as proof that both individuals knew that Jesus was both God and man, yet Jesus didn\'t have to prove that point to anybody.\n<h3>Appealing to Prophecy</h3>\nSubsequently the devil quotes scripture to Jesus, as seen in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A5-7&amp;version=NIV\">Matthew 4:5-7</a>, where the adversary asserts that Jesus could fling himself from the cliff and the \"<em>...angels would bear him up...</em>\" in a seeming appeal for Jesus to fulfill prophecy written centuries before that the Messiah would have to die. Jesus didn\'t fall for it - figuratively nor literally. The scriptures state that Jesus was closely attuned to the will and timing of God, and that his time of death had not yet come - further solidifying his deity identity.\n<h3>Appealing to Compassion</h3>\nThe chapter goes on to state in <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Matthew+4.8-11/\">Matthew 4:8-11</a> that the devil changed tactics and tried to appeal to Christ\'s love of humanity by offering the world which had been subjected to demonic control since The Fall in Eden in exchange for Jesus falling to his knees in worship of the first fallen angel.\n\nHad Jesus agreed to this quick-fix alternative to salvation - and he could have - the earth might have been redeemed but not the way that God had wanted. Jesus understood that fact because of his celestial connection to the Father.\n\nOne stern rebuke from Jesus and the devil left - while Jesus\' divinity was challenged in was not diminished in any way.\n\nHowever, had Jesus yielded to any of those temptation attempts it would have resulted in the most epic identity theft in the history of the universe because the devil would have ascended above the Most High.\n\nAgain Jesus\' divine identity prevented that theft from happening.\n<h3>Other Divine Identity Theft Attempts</h3>\nThroughout the remainder of Jesus\' recorded life, the scriptures state that his heavenly sonship continued to be questioned. Perhaps most notable are several examples at the time of his crucifixion:\n<ul>\n	<li>Roman guards beat and mocked Jesus demanding a display of his power - <a href=\"http://bible.cc/luke/22-64.htm\">Luke 22:64</a> and <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A36-38&amp;version=AMP\">Luke 23:36-38</a></li>\n	<li>The magistrate Herod demanded a sign or miracle - <a href=\"http://www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?q=Luke%2023:8-11\">Luke 23: 8-11</a></li>\n	<li>One of the thieves crucified along side of Jesus also demanded a sign and power display - <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Luke+23.39-43/\">Luke 23:39-43</a></li>\n	<li>As well as local leaders who stood and watched Jesus die mocking his divinity claim - <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A33-35&amp;version=NIV\">Luke 33:35</a></li>\n</ul>\n<h3>Restraint Was Jesus\' Greatest Miracle</h3>\nOne of the most interesting yet overlooked aspects of Jesus\' identity was that he never felt compelled to prove himself to anybody. Throughout all of scripture, Jesus wasn\'t moved to perform miracles by violence, coerscion or even threat of death. He was however moved by compassion, faith and recognize that he was who he said he was.\n\nThose who recognized his true identity as the son of God, were the only ones who received his miracles and blessing.\n\nEven while hanging on the cross, amidst the sneering jeers to save himself and thereby prove his divintiy to the people, Jesus knew that if he came down off that tree his true identity as a sinless sacrifice and sole path for redemption would have been abdicated and his divine mission forfeited.\n\nJesus was the only one who knew that, and his restraint to maintain that identity ultimately reconciled us back to the Father.\n<h3>Hijacking Jesus\' Identity Today</h3>\nFast forward 2,000 years to the current era where we routinely, albeit unwittingly perhaps, try to strip Jesus of his divinity today.\n\nWe do that when believers and non-believers alike give God an ultimatum that we will <em><strong>only</strong></em> believe in him if he acts or intervenes on our behalf for healing, finances, peace, relational restoration or any other legitimate need.\n\nBut when we make such demands, how are we any different than those we\'ve looked at who goaded God to act such as the robber, Herod, the centurions or even Satan himself?\n\nWe aren\'t.\n\nHopefully we can identify with that failing and find grace waiting in the arms of a loving savior who can identify with every aspect of our frailties.\n\n&nbsp;','Hijacking Jesus\' Identity','','inherit','open','open','','5552-revision-31','','','2012-03-22 18:05:53','2012-03-23 01:05:53','',5552,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/22/5552-revision-31/',0,'revision','',0),(5589,153,'2012-03-22 18:05:59','2012-03-23 01:05:59','[caption id=\"attachment_5571\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"487\" caption=\"usage rights secured via dreamstime.com\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-5571\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"487\" height=\"199\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n<h2>The Ongoing Identity Theft of Jesus</h2>\r\nThe divinity of Jesus has been questioned for thousands of years.\r\n\r\nIt\'s not surprising that one of the first recorded instances of this divine doubt occurred before Jesus officially started his ministry. According to the gospel of Matthew, Jesus was fasting in the desert for 40 days when the devil approached him in the wasteland - questioning the Lord\'s deistic attributes.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Appetite</h3>\r\nWe read in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A3-4&amp;version=NKJV\">Matthew 4:3-4</a> that the tempter questioned that if Jesus was indeed the Son of God, then Jesus would be able to turn nearby rock piles warmed by the desert sun into piles of warm bread. Jesus parried with the classic, \"...<em>man shall not live by bread alone...</em>\" verbal retort despite the gnawing hunger in his human belly. This exchange points as proof that both individuals knew that Jesus was both God and man, yet Jesus didn\'t have to prove that point to anybody.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Prophecy</h3>\r\nSubsequently the devil quotes scripture to Jesus, as seen in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A5-7&amp;version=NIV\">Matthew 4:5-7</a>, where the adversary asserts that Jesus could fling himself from the cliff and the \"<em>...angels would bear him up...</em>\" in a seeming appeal for Jesus to fulfill prophecy written centuries before that the Messiah would have to die. Jesus didn\'t fall for it - figuratively nor literally. The scriptures state that Jesus was closely attuned to the will and timing of God, and that his time of death had not yet come - further solidifying his deity identity.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Compassion</h3>\r\nThe chapter goes on to state in <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Matthew+4.8-11/\">Matthew 4:8-11</a> that the devil changed tactics and tried to appeal to Christ\'s love of humanity by offering the world which had been subjected to demonic control since The Fall in Eden in exchange for Jesus falling to his knees in worship of the first fallen angel.\r\n\r\nHad Jesus agreed to this quick-fix alternative to salvation - and he could have - the earth might have been redeemed but not the way that God had wanted. Jesus understood that fact because of his celestial connection to the Father.\r\n\r\nOne stern rebuke from Jesus and the devil left - while Jesus\' divinity was challenged in was not diminished in any way.\r\n\r\nHowever, had Jesus yielded to any of those temptation attempts it would have resulted in the most epic identity theft in the history of the universe because the devil would have ascended above the Most High.\r\n\r\nAgain Jesus\' divine identity prevented that theft from happening.\r\n<h3>Other Divine Identity Theft Attempts</h3>\r\nThroughout the remainder of Jesus\' recorded life, the scriptures state that his heavenly sonship continued to be questioned. Perhaps most notable are several examples at the time of his crucifixion:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Roman guards beat and mocked Jesus demanding a display of his power - <a href=\"http://bible.cc/luke/22-64.htm\">Luke 22:64</a> and <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A36-38&amp;version=AMP\">Luke 23:36-38</a></li>\r\n	<li>The magistrate Herod demanded a sign or miracle - <a href=\"http://www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?q=Luke%2023:8-11\">Luke 23: 8-11</a></li>\r\n	<li>One of the thieves crucified along side of Jesus also demanded a sign and power display - <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Luke+23.39-43/\">Luke 23:39-43</a></li>\r\n	<li>As well as local leaders who stood and watched Jesus die mocking his divinity claim - <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A33-35&amp;version=NIV\">Luke 33:35</a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h3>Restraint Was Jesus\' Greatest Miracle</h3>\r\nOne of the most interesting yet overlooked aspects of Jesus\' identity was that he never felt compelled to prove himself to anybody. Throughout all of scripture, Jesus wasn\'t moved to perform miracles by violence, coerscion or even threat of death. He was however moved by compassion, faith and recognize that he was who he said he was.\r\n\r\nThose who recognized his true identity as the son of God, were the only ones who received his miracles and blessing.\r\n\r\nEven while hanging on the cross, amidst the sneering jeers to save himself and thereby prove his divintiy to the people, Jesus knew that if he came down off that tree his true identity as a sinless sacrifice and sole path for redemption would have been abdicated and his divine mission forfeited.\r\n\r\nJesus was the only one who knew that, and his restraint to maintain that identity ultimately reconciled us back to the Father.\r\n<h3>Hijacking Jesus\' Identity Today</h3>\r\nFast forward 2,000 years to the current era where we routinely, albeit unwittingly perhaps, try to strip Jesus of his divinity today.\r\n\r\nWe do that when believers and non-believers alike give God an ultimatum that we will <em><strong>only</strong></em> believe in him if he acts or intervenes on our behalf for healing, finances, peace, relational restoration or any other legitimate need.\r\n\r\nBut when we make such demands, how are we any different than those we\'ve looked at who goaded God to act such as the robber, Herod, the centurions or even Satan himself?\r\n\r\nWe aren\'t.\r\n\r\nHopefully we can identify with that failing and find grace waiting in the arms of a loving savior who can identify with every aspect of our frailties.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Hijacking Jesus\' Identity','','inherit','open','open','','5552-revision-32','','','2012-03-22 18:05:59','2012-03-23 01:05:59','',5552,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/22/5552-revision-32/',0,'revision','',0),(5590,153,'2012-03-22 18:06:16','2012-03-23 01:06:16','[caption id=\"attachment_5571\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"487\" caption=\"usage rights secured via dreamstime.com\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-5571\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"487\" height=\"199\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n<h2>The Ongoing Identity Theft of Jesus</h2>\r\nThe divinity of Jesus has been questioned for thousands of years.\r\n\r\nIt\'s not surprising that one of the first recorded instances of this divine doubt occurred before Jesus officially started his ministry. According to the gospel of Matthew, Jesus was fasting in the desert for 40 days when the devil approached him in the wasteland - questioning the Lord\'s deistic attributes.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Appetite</h3>\r\nWe read in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A3-4&amp;version=NKJV\">Matthew 4:3-4</a> that the tempter questioned that if Jesus was indeed the Son of God, then Jesus would be able to turn nearby rock piles warmed by the desert sun into piles of warm bread. Jesus parried with the classic, \"...<em>man shall not live by bread alone...</em>\" verbal retort despite the gnawing hunger in his human belly. This exchange points as proof that both individuals knew that Jesus was both God and man, yet Jesus didn\'t have to prove that point to anybody.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Prophecy</h3>\r\nSubsequently the devil quoted scripture to Jesus, as seen in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A5-7&amp;version=NIV\">Matthew 4:5-7</a>, where the adversary asserts that Jesus could fling himself from the cliff and the \"<em>...angels would bear him up...</em>\" in a seeming appeal for Jesus to fulfill prophecy written centuries before that the Messiah would have to die. Jesus didn\'t fall for it - figuratively nor literally. The scriptures state that Jesus was closely attuned to the will and timing of God, and that his time of death had not yet come - further solidifying his deity identity.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Compassion</h3>\r\nThe chapter goes on to state in <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Matthew+4.8-11/\">Matthew 4:8-11</a> that the devil changed tactics and tried to appeal to Christ\'s love of humanity by offering the world which had been subjected to demonic control since The Fall in Eden in exchange for Jesus falling to his knees in worship of the first fallen angel.\r\n\r\nHad Jesus agreed to this quick-fix alternative to salvation - and he could have - the earth might have been redeemed but not the way that God had wanted. Jesus understood that fact because of his celestial connection to the Father.\r\n\r\nOne stern rebuke from Jesus and the devil left - while Jesus\' divinity was challenged in was not diminished in any way.\r\n\r\nHowever, had Jesus yielded to any of those temptation attempts it would have resulted in the most epic identity theft in the history of the universe because the devil would have ascended above the Most High.\r\n\r\nAgain Jesus\' divine identity prevented that theft from happening.\r\n<h3>Other Divine Identity Theft Attempts</h3>\r\nThroughout the remainder of Jesus\' recorded life, the scriptures state that his heavenly sonship continued to be questioned. Perhaps most notable are several examples at the time of his crucifixion:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Roman guards beat and mocked Jesus demanding a display of his power - <a href=\"http://bible.cc/luke/22-64.htm\">Luke 22:64</a> and <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A36-38&amp;version=AMP\">Luke 23:36-38</a></li>\r\n	<li>The magistrate Herod demanded a sign or miracle - <a href=\"http://www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?q=Luke%2023:8-11\">Luke 23: 8-11</a></li>\r\n	<li>One of the thieves crucified along side of Jesus also demanded a sign and power display - <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Luke+23.39-43/\">Luke 23:39-43</a></li>\r\n	<li>As well as local leaders who stood and watched Jesus die mocking his divinity claim - <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A33-35&amp;version=NIV\">Luke 33:35</a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h3>Restraint Was Jesus\' Greatest Miracle</h3>\r\nOne of the most interesting yet overlooked aspects of Jesus\' identity was that he never felt compelled to prove himself to anybody. Throughout all of scripture, Jesus wasn\'t moved to perform miracles by violence, coerscion or even threat of death. He was however moved by compassion, faith and recognize that he was who he said he was.\r\n\r\nThose who recognized his true identity as the son of God, were the only ones who received his miracles and blessing.\r\n\r\nEven while hanging on the cross, amidst the sneering jeers to save himself and thereby prove his divintiy to the people, Jesus knew that if he came down off that tree his true identity as a sinless sacrifice and sole path for redemption would have been abdicated and his divine mission forfeited.\r\n\r\nJesus was the only one who knew that, and his restraint to maintain that identity ultimately reconciled us back to the Father.\r\n<h3>Hijacking Jesus\' Identity Today</h3>\r\nFast forward 2,000 years to the current era where we routinely, albeit unwittingly perhaps, try to strip Jesus of his divinity today.\r\n\r\nWe do that when believers and non-believers alike give God an ultimatum that we will <em><strong>only</strong></em> believe in him if he acts or intervenes on our behalf for healing, finances, peace, relational restoration or any other legitimate need.\r\n\r\nBut when we make such demands, how are we any different than those we\'ve looked at who goaded God to act such as the robber, Herod, the centurions or even Satan himself?\r\n\r\nWe aren\'t.\r\n\r\nHopefully we can identify with that failing and find grace waiting in the arms of a loving savior who can identify with every aspect of our frailties.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Hijacking Jesus\' Identity','','inherit','open','open','','5552-revision-33','','','2012-03-22 18:06:16','2012-03-23 01:06:16','',5552,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/22/5552-revision-33/',0,'revision','',0),(5591,153,'2012-03-22 18:06:34','2012-03-23 01:06:34','[caption id=\"attachment_5571\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"487\" caption=\"usage rights secured via dreamstime.com\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-5571\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"487\" height=\"199\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n<h2>The Ongoing Identity Theft of Jesus</h2>\r\nThe divinity of Jesus has been questioned for thousands of years.\r\n\r\nIt\'s not surprising that one of the first recorded instances of this divine doubt occurred before Jesus officially started his ministry. According to the gospel of Matthew, Jesus was fasting in the desert for 40 days when the devil approached him in the wasteland - questioning the Lord\'s deistic attributes.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Appetite</h3>\r\nWe read in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A3-4&amp;version=NKJV\">Matthew 4:3-4</a> that the tempter questioned that if Jesus was indeed the Son of God, then Jesus would be able to turn nearby rock piles warmed by the desert sun into piles of warm bread. Jesus parried with the classic, \"...<em>man shall not live by bread alone...</em>\" verbal retort despite the gnawing hunger in his human belly. This exchange points as proof that both individuals knew that Jesus was both God and man, yet Jesus didn\'t have to prove that point to anybody.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Prophecy</h3>\r\nSubsequently the devil quoted scripture to Jesus, as seen in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A5-7&amp;version=NIV\">Matthew 4:5-7</a>, where the adversary asserted that Jesus could fling himself from the cliff and the \"<em>...angels would bear him up...</em>\" in a seeming appeal for Jesus to fulfill prophecy written centuries before that the Messiah would have to die. Jesus didn\'t fall for it - figuratively nor literally. The scriptures state that Jesus was closely attuned to the will and timing of God, and that his time of death had not yet come - further solidifying his deity identity.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Compassion</h3>\r\nThe chapter goes on to state in <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Matthew+4.8-11/\">Matthew 4:8-11</a> that the devil changed tactics and tried to appeal to Christ\'s love of humanity by offering the world which had been subjected to demonic control since The Fall in Eden in exchange for Jesus falling to his knees in worship of the first fallen angel.\r\n\r\nHad Jesus agreed to this quick-fix alternative to salvation - and he could have - the earth might have been redeemed but not the way that God had wanted. Jesus understood that fact because of his celestial connection to the Father.\r\n\r\nOne stern rebuke from Jesus and the devil left - while Jesus\' divinity was challenged in was not diminished in any way.\r\n\r\nHowever, had Jesus yielded to any of those temptation attempts it would have resulted in the most epic identity theft in the history of the universe because the devil would have ascended above the Most High.\r\n\r\nAgain Jesus\' divine identity prevented that theft from happening.\r\n<h3>Other Divine Identity Theft Attempts</h3>\r\nThroughout the remainder of Jesus\' recorded life, the scriptures state that his heavenly sonship continued to be questioned. Perhaps most notable are several examples at the time of his crucifixion:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Roman guards beat and mocked Jesus demanding a display of his power - <a href=\"http://bible.cc/luke/22-64.htm\">Luke 22:64</a> and <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A36-38&amp;version=AMP\">Luke 23:36-38</a></li>\r\n	<li>The magistrate Herod demanded a sign or miracle - <a href=\"http://www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?q=Luke%2023:8-11\">Luke 23: 8-11</a></li>\r\n	<li>One of the thieves crucified along side of Jesus also demanded a sign and power display - <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Luke+23.39-43/\">Luke 23:39-43</a></li>\r\n	<li>As well as local leaders who stood and watched Jesus die mocking his divinity claim - <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A33-35&amp;version=NIV\">Luke 33:35</a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h3>Restraint Was Jesus\' Greatest Miracle</h3>\r\nOne of the most interesting yet overlooked aspects of Jesus\' identity was that he never felt compelled to prove himself to anybody. Throughout all of scripture, Jesus wasn\'t moved to perform miracles by violence, coerscion or even threat of death. He was however moved by compassion, faith and recognize that he was who he said he was.\r\n\r\nThose who recognized his true identity as the son of God, were the only ones who received his miracles and blessing.\r\n\r\nEven while hanging on the cross, amidst the sneering jeers to save himself and thereby prove his divintiy to the people, Jesus knew that if he came down off that tree his true identity as a sinless sacrifice and sole path for redemption would have been abdicated and his divine mission forfeited.\r\n\r\nJesus was the only one who knew that, and his restraint to maintain that identity ultimately reconciled us back to the Father.\r\n<h3>Hijacking Jesus\' Identity Today</h3>\r\nFast forward 2,000 years to the current era where we routinely, albeit unwittingly perhaps, try to strip Jesus of his divinity today.\r\n\r\nWe do that when believers and non-believers alike give God an ultimatum that we will <em><strong>only</strong></em> believe in him if he acts or intervenes on our behalf for healing, finances, peace, relational restoration or any other legitimate need.\r\n\r\nBut when we make such demands, how are we any different than those we\'ve looked at who goaded God to act such as the robber, Herod, the centurions or even Satan himself?\r\n\r\nWe aren\'t.\r\n\r\nHopefully we can identify with that failing and find grace waiting in the arms of a loving savior who can identify with every aspect of our frailties.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Hijacking Jesus\' Identity','','inherit','open','open','','5552-revision-34','','','2012-03-22 18:06:34','2012-03-23 01:06:34','',5552,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/22/5552-revision-34/',0,'revision','',0),(5592,153,'2012-03-22 18:06:41','2012-03-23 01:06:41','[caption id=\"attachment_5571\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"487\" caption=\"usage rights secured via dreamstime.com\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-5571\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"487\" height=\"199\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n<h2>The Ongoing Identity Theft of Jesus</h2>\r\nThe divinity of Jesus has been questioned for thousands of years.\r\n\r\nIt\'s not surprising that one of the first recorded instances of this divine doubt occurred before Jesus officially started his ministry. According to the gospel of Matthew, Jesus was fasting in the desert for 40 days when the devil approached him in the wasteland - questioning the Lord\'s deistic attributes.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Appetite</h3>\r\nWe read in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A3-4&amp;version=NKJV\">Matthew 4:3-4</a> that the tempter questioned that if Jesus was indeed the Son of God, then Jesus would be able to turn nearby rock piles warmed by the desert sun into piles of warm bread. Jesus parried with the classic, \"...<em>man shall not live by bread alone...</em>\" verbal retort despite the gnawing hunger in his human belly. This exchange points as proof that both individuals knew that Jesus was both God and man, yet Jesus didn\'t have to prove that point to anybody.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Prophecy</h3>\r\nSubsequently the devil quoted scripture to Jesus, as seen in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A5-7&amp;version=NIV\">Matthew 4:5-7</a>, where the adversary asserted that Jesus could fling himself from the cliff and the \"<em>...angels would bear him up...</em>\" in a seeming appeal for Jesus to fulfill prophecy written centuries before that the Messiah would have to die. Jesus didn\'t fall for it - figuratively nor literally. The scriptures state that Jesus was closely attuned to the will and timing of God, and that his time of death had not yet come - further solidifying his deity identity.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Compassion</h3>\r\nThe chapter goes on to state in <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Matthew+4.8-11/\">Matthew 4:8-11</a> that the devil changed tactics and tried to appeal to Christ\'s love of humanity by offering the world which had been subjected to demonic control since The Fall in Eden in exchange for Jesus falling to his knees in worship of the first fallen angel.\r\n\r\nHad Jesus agreed to this quick-fix alternative to salvation - and he could have - the earth might have been redeemed but not the way that God had wanted. Jesus understood that fact because of his celestial connection to the Father.\r\n\r\nOne stern rebuke from Jesus and the devil left - while Jesus\' divinity was challenged in was not diminished in any way.\r\n\r\nHowever, had Jesus yielded to any of those temptation attempts it would have resulted in the most epic identity theft in the history of the universe because the devil would have ascended above the Most High.\r\n\r\nAgain Jesus\' divine identity prevented that theft from happening.\r\n<h3>Other Divine Identity Theft Attempts</h3>\r\nThroughout the remainder of Jesus\' recorded life, the scriptures state that his heavenly sonship continued to be questioned. Perhaps most notable are several examples at the time of his crucifixion:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Roman guards beat and mocked Jesus demanding a display of his power - <a href=\"http://bible.cc/luke/22-64.htm\">Luke 22:64</a> and <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A36-38&amp;version=AMP\">Luke 23:36-38</a></li>\r\n	<li>The magistrate Herod demanded a sign or miracle - <a href=\"http://www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?q=Luke%2023:8-11\">Luke 23: 8-11</a></li>\r\n	<li>One of the thieves crucified along side of Jesus also demanded a sign and power display - <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Luke+23.39-43/\">Luke 23:39-43</a></li>\r\n	<li>As well as local leaders who stood and watched Jesus die mocking his divinity claim - <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A33-35&amp;version=NIV\">Luke 33:35</a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h3>Restraint Was Jesus\' Greatest Miracle</h3>\r\nOne of the most interesting yet overlooked aspects of Jesus\' identity was that he never felt compelled to prove himself to anybody. Throughout all of scripture, Jesus wasn\'t moved to perform miracles by violence, coerscion or even threat of death. He was however moved by compassion, faith and recognize that he was who he said he was.\r\n\r\nThose who recognized his true identity as the son of God, were the only ones who received his miracles and blessing.\r\n\r\nEven while hanging on the cross, amidst the sneering jeers to save himself and thereby prove his divintiy to the people, Jesus knew that if he came down off that tree his true identity as a sinless sacrifice and sole path for redemption would have been abdicated and his divine mission forfeited.\r\n\r\nJesus was the only one who knew that, and his restraint to maintain that identity ultimately reconciled us back to the Father.\r\n<h3>Hijacking Jesus\' Identity Today</h3>\r\nFast forward 2,000 years to the current era where we routinely, albeit unwittingly perhaps, try to strip Jesus of his divinity today.\r\n\r\nWe do that when believers and non-believers alike give God an ultimatum that we will <em><strong>only</strong></em> believe in him if he acts or intervenes on our behalf for healing, finances, peace, relational restoration or any other legitimate need.\r\n\r\nBut when we make such demands, how are we any different than those we\'ve looked at who goaded God to act such as the robber, Herod, the centurions or even Satan himself?\r\n\r\nWe aren\'t.\r\n\r\nHopefully we can identify with that failing and find grace waiting in the arms of a loving savior who can identify with every aspect of our frailties.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Hijacking Jesus\' Identity','','inherit','open','open','','5552-revision-35','','','2012-03-22 18:06:41','2012-03-23 01:06:41','',5552,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/22/5552-revision-35/',0,'revision','',0),(5593,153,'2012-03-22 18:09:37','2012-03-23 01:09:37','[caption id=\"attachment_5571\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"487\" caption=\"usage rights secured via dreamstime.com\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-5571\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"487\" height=\"199\" /></a>[/caption]\n<h2>The Ongoing Identity Theft of Jesus</h2>\nThe divinity of Jesus has been questioned for thousands of years.\n\nIt\'s not surprising that one of the first recorded instances of this divine doubt occurred before Jesus officially started his ministry. According to the gospel of Matthew, Jesus was fasting in the desert for 40 days when the devil approached him in the wasteland - questioning the Lord\'s deistic attributes.\n<h3>Appealing to Appetite</h3>\nWe read in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A3-4&amp;version=NKJV\">Matthew 4:3-4</a> that the tempter questioned that if Jesus was indeed the Son of God, then Jesus would be able to turn nearby rock piles warmed by the desert sun into piles of warm bread. Jesus parried with the classic, \"...<em>man shall not live by bread alone...</em>\" verbal retort despite the gnawing hunger in his human belly. This exchange points as proof that both individuals knew that Jesus was both God and man, yet Jesus didn\'t have to prove that point to anybody.\n<h3>Appealing to Prophecy</h3>\nSubsequently the devil quoted scripture to Jesus, as seen in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A5-7&amp;version=NIV\">Matthew 4:5-7</a>, where the adversary asserted that Jesus could fling himself from the cliff and the \"<em>...angels would bear him up...</em>\" in a seeming appeal for Jesus to fulfill prophecy written centuries before that the Messiah would have to die. Jesus didn\'t fall for it - figuratively nor literally. The scriptures state that Jesus was closely attuned to the will and timing of God, and that his time of death had not yet come - further solidifying his deity identity.\n<h3>Appealing to Compassion</h3>\nThe chapter goes on to state in <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Matthew+4.8-11/\">Matthew 4:8-11</a> that the devil changed tactics and tried to appeal to Christ\'s love of humanity by offering the world which had been subjected to demonic control since The Fall in Eden in exchange for Jesus falling to his knees in worship of the first fallen angel.\n\nHad Jesus agreed to this quick-fix alternative to salvation - and he could have - the earth might have been redeemed but not the way that God had wanted. Jesus understood that fact because of his celestial connection to the Father.\n\nOne stern rebuke from Jesus and the devil left.  While Jesus\' divinity was challenged it was not diminished in any way.\n\nHowever, had Jesus yielded to any of those temptation attempts it would have resulted in the most epic identity theft in the history of the universe because the devil would have ascended above the Most High.\n\nAgain Jesus\' divine identity prevented that theft from happening.\n<h3>Other Divine Identity Theft Attempts</h3>\nThroughout the remainder of Jesus\' recorded life, the scriptures state that his heavenly sonship continued to be questioned. Perhaps most notable are several examples at the time of his crucifixion:\n<ul>\n	<li>Roman guards beat and mocked Jesus demanding a display of his power - <a href=\"http://bible.cc/luke/22-64.htm\">Luke 22:64</a> and <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A36-38&amp;version=AMP\">Luke 23:36-38</a></li>\n	<li>The magistrate Herod simildemanded a sign or miracle - <a href=\"http://www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?q=Luke%2023:8-11\">Luke 23: 8-11</a></li>\n	<li>One of the thieves crucified along side of Jesus also demanded a sign and power display - <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Luke+23.39-43/\">Luke 23:39-43</a></li>\n	<li>As well as local leaders who stood and watched Jesus die mocking his divinity claim - <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A33-35&amp;version=NIV\">Luke 33:35</a></li>\n</ul>\n<h3>Restraint Was Jesus\' Greatest Miracle</h3>\nOne of the most interesting yet overlooked aspects of Jesus\' identity was that he never felt compelled to prove himself to anybody. Throughout all of scripture, Jesus wasn\'t moved to perform miracles by violence, coerscion or even threat of death. He was however moved by compassion, faith and recognize that he was who he said he was.\n\nThose who recognized his true identity as the son of God, were the only ones who received his miracles and blessing.\n\nEven while hanging on the cross, amidst the sneering jeers to save himself and thereby prove his divintiy to the people, Jesus knew that if he came down off that tree his true identity as a sinless sacrifice and sole path for redemption would have been abdicated and his divine mission forfeited.\n\nJesus was the only one who knew that, and his restraint to maintain that identity ultimately reconciled us back to the Father.\n<h3>Hijacking Jesus\' Identity Today</h3>\nFast forward 2,000 years to the current era where we routinely, albeit unwittingly perhaps, try to strip Jesus of his divinity today.\n\nWe do that when believers and non-believers alike give God an ultimatum that we will <em><strong>only</strong></em> believe in him if he acts or intervenes on our behalf for healing, finances, peace, relational restoration or any other legitimate need.\n\nBut when we make such demands, how are we any different than those we\'ve looked at who goaded God to act such as the robber, Herod, the centurions or even Satan himself?\n\nWe aren\'t.\n\nHopefully we can identify with that failing and find grace waiting in the arms of a loving savior who can identify with every aspect of our frailties.\n\n&nbsp;','Hijacking Jesus\' Identity','','inherit','open','open','','5552-revision-36','','','2012-03-22 18:09:37','2012-03-23 01:09:37','',5552,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/22/5552-revision-36/',0,'revision','',0),(5594,153,'2012-03-22 18:09:40','2012-03-23 01:09:40','[caption id=\"attachment_5571\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"487\" caption=\"usage rights secured via dreamstime.com\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-5571\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"487\" height=\"199\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n<h2>The Ongoing Identity Theft of Jesus</h2>\r\nThe divinity of Jesus has been questioned for thousands of years.\r\n\r\nIt\'s not surprising that one of the first recorded instances of this divine doubt occurred before Jesus officially started his ministry. According to the gospel of Matthew, Jesus was fasting in the desert for 40 days when the devil approached him in the wasteland - questioning the Lord\'s deistic attributes.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Appetite</h3>\r\nWe read in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A3-4&amp;version=NKJV\">Matthew 4:3-4</a> that the tempter questioned that if Jesus was indeed the Son of God, then Jesus would be able to turn nearby rock piles warmed by the desert sun into piles of warm bread. Jesus parried with the classic, \"...<em>man shall not live by bread alone...</em>\" verbal retort despite the gnawing hunger in his human belly. This exchange points as proof that both individuals knew that Jesus was both God and man, yet Jesus didn\'t have to prove that point to anybody.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Prophecy</h3>\r\nSubsequently the devil quoted scripture to Jesus, as seen in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A5-7&amp;version=NIV\">Matthew 4:5-7</a>, where the adversary asserted that Jesus could fling himself from the cliff and the \"<em>...angels would bear him up...</em>\" in a seeming appeal for Jesus to fulfill prophecy written centuries before that the Messiah would have to die. Jesus didn\'t fall for it - figuratively nor literally. The scriptures state that Jesus was closely attuned to the will and timing of God, and that his time of death had not yet come - further solidifying his deity identity.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Compassion</h3>\r\nThe chapter goes on to state in <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Matthew+4.8-11/\">Matthew 4:8-11</a> that the devil changed tactics and tried to appeal to Christ\'s love of humanity by offering the world which had been subjected to demonic control since The Fall in Eden in exchange for Jesus falling to his knees in worship of the first fallen angel.\r\n\r\nHad Jesus agreed to this quick-fix alternative to salvation - and he could have - the earth might have been redeemed but not the way that God had wanted. Jesus understood that fact because of his celestial connection to the Father.\r\n\r\nOne stern rebuke from Jesus and the devil left.  While Jesus\' divinity was challenged it was not diminished in any way.\r\n\r\nHowever, had Jesus yielded to any of those temptation attempts it would have resulted in the most epic identity theft in the history of the universe because the devil would have ascended above the Most High.\r\n\r\nAgain Jesus\' divine identity prevented that theft from happening.\r\n<h3>Other Divine Identity Theft Attempts</h3>\r\nThroughout the remainder of Jesus\' recorded life, the scriptures state that his heavenly sonship continued to be questioned. Perhaps most notable are several examples at the time of his crucifixion:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Roman guards beat and mocked Jesus demanding a display of his power - <a href=\"http://bible.cc/luke/22-64.htm\">Luke 22:64</a> and <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A36-38&amp;version=AMP\">Luke 23:36-38</a></li>\r\n	<li>The magistrate Herod similarly demanded a sign or miracle - <a href=\"http://www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?q=Luke%2023:8-11\">Luke 23: 8-11</a></li>\r\n	<li>One of the thieves crucified along side of Jesus also demanded a sign and power display - <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Luke+23.39-43/\">Luke 23:39-43</a></li>\r\n	<li>As well as local leaders who stood and watched Jesus die mocking his divinity claim - <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A33-35&amp;version=NIV\">Luke 33:35</a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h3>Restraint Was Jesus\' Greatest Miracle</h3>\r\nOne of the most interesting yet overlooked aspects of Jesus\' identity was that he never felt compelled to prove himself to anybody. Throughout all of scripture, Jesus wasn\'t moved to perform miracles by violence, coerscion or even threat of death. He was however moved by compassion, faith and recognize that he was who he said he was.\r\n\r\nThose who recognized his true identity as the son of God, were the only ones who received his miracles and blessing.\r\n\r\nEven while hanging on the cross, amidst the sneering jeers to save himself and thereby prove his divintiy to the people, Jesus knew that if he came down off that tree his true identity as a sinless sacrifice and sole path for redemption would have been abdicated and his divine mission forfeited.\r\n\r\nJesus was the only one who knew that, and his restraint to maintain that identity ultimately reconciled us back to the Father.\r\n<h3>Hijacking Jesus\' Identity Today</h3>\r\nFast forward 2,000 years to the current era where we routinely, albeit unwittingly perhaps, try to strip Jesus of his divinity today.\r\n\r\nWe do that when believers and non-believers alike give God an ultimatum that we will <em><strong>only</strong></em> believe in him if he acts or intervenes on our behalf for healing, finances, peace, relational restoration or any other legitimate need.\r\n\r\nBut when we make such demands, how are we any different than those we\'ve looked at who goaded God to act such as the robber, Herod, the centurions or even Satan himself?\r\n\r\nWe aren\'t.\r\n\r\nHopefully we can identify with that failing and find grace waiting in the arms of a loving savior who can identify with every aspect of our frailties.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Hijacking Jesus\' Identity','','inherit','open','open','','5552-revision-37','','','2012-03-22 18:09:40','2012-03-23 01:09:40','',5552,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/22/5552-revision-37/',0,'revision','',0),(5595,153,'2012-03-22 18:10:21','2012-03-23 01:10:21','[caption id=\"attachment_5571\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"487\" caption=\"usage rights secured via dreamstime.com\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-5571\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"487\" height=\"199\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n<h2>The Ongoing Identity Theft of Jesus</h2>\r\nThe divinity of Jesus has been questioned for thousands of years.\r\n\r\nIt\'s not surprising that one of the first recorded instances of this divine doubt occurred before Jesus officially started his ministry. According to the gospel of Matthew, Jesus was fasting in the desert for 40 days when the devil approached him in the wasteland - questioning the Lord\'s deistic attributes.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Appetite</h3>\r\nWe read in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A3-4&amp;version=NKJV\">Matthew 4:3-4</a> that the tempter questioned that if Jesus was indeed the Son of God, then Jesus would be able to turn nearby rock piles warmed by the desert sun into piles of warm bread. Jesus parried with the classic, \"...<em>man shall not live by bread alone...</em>\" verbal retort despite the gnawing hunger in his human belly. This exchange points as proof that both individuals knew that Jesus was both God and man, yet Jesus didn\'t have to prove that point to anybody.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Prophecy</h3>\r\nSubsequently the devil quoted scripture to Jesus, as seen in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A5-7&amp;version=NIV\">Matthew 4:5-7</a>, where the adversary asserted that Jesus could fling himself from the cliff and the \"<em>...angels would bear him up...</em>\" in a seeming appeal for Jesus to fulfill prophecy written centuries before that the Messiah would have to die. Jesus didn\'t fall for it - figuratively nor literally. The scriptures state that Jesus was closely attuned to the will and timing of God, and that his time of death had not yet come - further solidifying his deity identity.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Compassion</h3>\r\nThe chapter goes on to state in <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Matthew+4.8-11/\">Matthew 4:8-11</a> that the devil changed tactics and tried to appeal to Christ\'s love of humanity by offering the world which had been subjected to demonic control since The Fall in Eden in exchange for Jesus falling to his knees in worship of the first fallen angel.\r\n\r\nHad Jesus agreed to this quick-fix alternative to salvation - and he could have - the earth might have been redeemed but not the way that God had wanted. Jesus understood that fact because of his celestial connection to the Father.\r\n\r\nOne stern rebuke from Jesus and the devil left.  While Jesus\' divinity was challenged it was not diminished in any way.\r\n\r\nHowever, had Jesus yielded to any of those temptation attempts it would have resulted in the most epic identity theft in the history of the universe because the devil would have ascended above the Most High.\r\n\r\nAgain Jesus\' divine identity prevented that theft from happening.\r\n<h3>Other Divine Identity Theft Attempts</h3>\r\nThroughout the remainder of Jesus\' recorded life, the scriptures state that his heavenly sonship continued to be questioned. Perhaps most notable are several examples at the time of his crucifixion:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Roman guards beat and mocked Jesus demanding a display of his power - <a href=\"http://bible.cc/luke/22-64.htm\">Luke 22:64</a> and <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A36-38&amp;version=AMP\">Luke 23:36-38</a></li>\r\n	<li>The magistrate Herod similarly demanded a sign or miracle - <a href=\"http://www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?q=Luke%2023:8-11\">Luke 23: 8-11</a></li>\r\n	<li>One of the thieves crucified along side of Jesus also demanded a sign and power display - <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Luke+23.39-43/\">Luke 23:39-43</a></li>\r\n	<li>As well as local leaders who stood and watched Jesus die, while mocking his divinity claim - <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A33-35&amp;version=NIV\">Luke 33:35</a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h3>Restraint Was Jesus\' Greatest Miracle</h3>\r\nOne of the most interesting yet overlooked aspects of Jesus\' identity was that he never felt compelled to prove himself to anybody. Throughout all of scripture, Jesus wasn\'t moved to perform miracles by violence, coerscion or even threat of death. He was however moved by compassion, faith and recognize that he was who he said he was.\r\n\r\nThose who recognized his true identity as the son of God, were the only ones who received his miracles and blessing.\r\n\r\nEven while hanging on the cross, amidst the sneering jeers to save himself and thereby prove his divintiy to the people, Jesus knew that if he came down off that tree his true identity as a sinless sacrifice and sole path for redemption would have been abdicated and his divine mission forfeited.\r\n\r\nJesus was the only one who knew that, and his restraint to maintain that identity ultimately reconciled us back to the Father.\r\n<h3>Hijacking Jesus\' Identity Today</h3>\r\nFast forward 2,000 years to the current era where we routinely, albeit unwittingly perhaps, try to strip Jesus of his divinity today.\r\n\r\nWe do that when believers and non-believers alike give God an ultimatum that we will <em><strong>only</strong></em> believe in him if he acts or intervenes on our behalf for healing, finances, peace, relational restoration or any other legitimate need.\r\n\r\nBut when we make such demands, how are we any different than those we\'ve looked at who goaded God to act such as the robber, Herod, the centurions or even Satan himself?\r\n\r\nWe aren\'t.\r\n\r\nHopefully we can identify with that failing and find grace waiting in the arms of a loving savior who can identify with every aspect of our frailties.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Hijacking Jesus\' Identity','','inherit','open','open','','5552-revision-38','','','2012-03-22 18:10:21','2012-03-23 01:10:21','',5552,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/22/5552-revision-38/',0,'revision','',0),(5596,153,'2012-03-22 18:11:10','2012-03-23 01:11:10','[caption id=\"attachment_5571\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"487\" caption=\"usage rights secured via dreamstime.com\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-5571\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"487\" height=\"199\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n<h2>The Ongoing Identity Theft of Jesus</h2>\r\nThe divinity of Jesus has been questioned for thousands of years.\r\n\r\nIt\'s not surprising that one of the first recorded instances of this divine doubt occurred before Jesus officially started his ministry. According to the gospel of Matthew, Jesus was fasting in the desert for 40 days when the devil approached him in the wasteland - questioning the Lord\'s deistic attributes.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Appetite</h3>\r\nWe read in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A3-4&amp;version=NKJV\">Matthew 4:3-4</a> that the tempter questioned that if Jesus was indeed the Son of God, then Jesus would be able to turn nearby rock piles warmed by the desert sun into piles of warm bread. Jesus parried with the classic, \"...<em>man shall not live by bread alone...</em>\" verbal retort despite the gnawing hunger in his human belly. This exchange points as proof that both individuals knew that Jesus was both God and man, yet Jesus didn\'t have to prove that point to anybody.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Prophecy</h3>\r\nSubsequently the devil quoted scripture to Jesus, as seen in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A5-7&amp;version=NIV\">Matthew 4:5-7</a>, where the adversary asserted that Jesus could fling himself from the cliff and the \"<em>...angels would bear him up...</em>\" in a seeming appeal for Jesus to fulfill prophecy written centuries before that the Messiah would have to die. Jesus didn\'t fall for it - figuratively nor literally. The scriptures state that Jesus was closely attuned to the will and timing of God, and that his time of death had not yet come - further solidifying his deity identity.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Compassion</h3>\r\nThe chapter goes on to state in <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Matthew+4.8-11/\">Matthew 4:8-11</a> that the devil changed tactics and tried to appeal to Christ\'s love of humanity by offering the world which had been subjected to demonic control since The Fall in Eden in exchange for Jesus falling to his knees in worship of the first fallen angel.\r\n\r\nHad Jesus agreed to this quick-fix alternative to salvation - and he could have - the earth might have been redeemed but not the way that God had wanted. Jesus understood that fact because of his celestial connection to the Father.\r\n\r\nOne stern rebuke from Jesus and the devil left.  While Jesus\' divinity was challenged it was not diminished in any way.\r\n\r\nHowever, had Jesus yielded to any of those temptation attempts it would have resulted in the most epic identity theft in the history of the universe because the devil would have ascended above the Most High.\r\n\r\nAgain Jesus\' divine identity prevented that theft from happening.\r\n<h3>Other Divine Identity Theft Attempts</h3>\r\nThroughout the remainder of Jesus\' recorded life, the scriptures state that his heavenly sonship continued to be questioned. Perhaps most notable are several examples at the time of his crucifixion:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Roman guards beat and mocked Jesus demanding a display of his power - <a href=\"http://bible.cc/luke/22-64.htm\">Luke 22:64</a> and <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A36-38&amp;version=AMP\">Luke 23:36-38</a></li>\r\n	<li>The magistrate Herod similarly demanded a sign or miracle - <a href=\"http://www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?q=Luke%2023:8-11\">Luke 23: 8-11</a></li>\r\n	<li>One of the thieves crucified along side of Jesus also demanded a sign and power display - <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Luke+23.39-43/\">Luke 23:39-43</a></li>\r\n	<li>As well as local leaders who stood and watched Jesus die, while mocking his divinity claim - <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A33-35&amp;version=NIV\">Luke 33:35</a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h3>Restraint Was Jesus\' Greatest Miracle</h3>\r\nOne of the most interesting yet overlooked aspects of Jesus\' identity was that he never felt compelled to prove himself to anybody. Throughout all of scripture, Jesus wasn\'t moved to perform miracles by violence, coerscion or even threat of death. He was however moved by compassion, faith and recognition that he was who he said he was.\r\n\r\nThose who recognized his true identity as the son of God, were the only ones who received his miracles and blessing.\r\n\r\nEven while hanging on the cross, amidst the sneering jeers to save himself and thereby prove his divintiy to the people, Jesus knew that if he came down off that tree his true identity as a sinless sacrifice and sole path for redemption would have been abdicated and his divine mission forfeited.\r\n\r\nJesus was the only one who knew that, and his restraint to maintain that identity ultimately reconciled us back to the Father.\r\n<h3>Hijacking Jesus\' Identity Today</h3>\r\nFast forward 2,000 years to the current era where we routinely, albeit unwittingly perhaps, try to strip Jesus of his divinity today.\r\n\r\nWe do that when believers and non-believers alike give God an ultimatum that we will <em><strong>only</strong></em> believe in him if he acts or intervenes on our behalf for healing, finances, peace, relational restoration or any other legitimate need.\r\n\r\nBut when we make such demands, how are we any different than those we\'ve looked at who goaded God to act such as the robber, Herod, the centurions or even Satan himself?\r\n\r\nWe aren\'t.\r\n\r\nHopefully we can identify with that failing and find grace waiting in the arms of a loving savior who can identify with every aspect of our frailties.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Hijacking Jesus\' Identity','','inherit','open','open','','5552-revision-39','','','2012-03-22 18:11:10','2012-03-23 01:11:10','',5552,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/22/5552-revision-39/',0,'revision','',0),(5597,153,'2012-03-22 18:13:16','2012-03-23 01:13:16','[caption id=\"attachment_5571\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"487\" caption=\"usage rights secured via dreamstime.com\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-5571\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"487\" height=\"199\" /></a>[/caption]\n<h2>The Ongoing Identity Theft of Jesus</h2>\nThe divinity of Jesus has been questioned for thousands of years.\n\nIt\'s not surprising that one of the first recorded instances of this divine doubt occurred before Jesus officially started his ministry. According to the gospel of Matthew, Jesus was fasting in the desert for 40 days when the devil approached him in the wasteland - questioning the Lord\'s deistic attributes.\n<h3>Appealing to Appetite</h3>\nWe read in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A3-4&amp;version=NKJV\">Matthew 4:3-4</a> that the tempter questioned that if Jesus was indeed the Son of God, then Jesus would be able to turn nearby rock piles warmed by the desert sun into piles of warm bread. Jesus parried with the classic, \"...<em>man shall not live by bread alone...</em>\" verbal retort despite the gnawing hunger in his human belly. This exchange points as proof that both individuals knew that Jesus was both God and man, yet Jesus didn\'t have to prove that point to anybody.\n<h3>Appealing to Prophecy</h3>\nSubsequently the devil quoted scripture to Jesus, as seen in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A5-7&amp;version=NIV\">Matthew 4:5-7</a>, where the adversary asserted that Jesus could fling himself from the cliff and the \"<em>...angels would bear him up...</em>\" in a seeming appeal for Jesus to fulfill prophecy written centuries before that the Messiah would have to die. Jesus didn\'t fall for it - figuratively nor literally. The scriptures state that Jesus was closely attuned to the will and timing of God, and that his time of death had not yet come - further solidifying his deity identity.\n<h3>Appealing to Compassion</h3>\nThe chapter goes on to state in <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Matthew+4.8-11/\">Matthew 4:8-11</a> that the devil changed tactics and tried to appeal to Christ\'s love of humanity by offering the world which had been subjected to demonic control since The Fall in Eden in exchange for Jesus falling to his knees in worship of the first fallen angel.\n\nHad Jesus agreed to this quick-fix alternative to salvation - and he could have - the earth might have been redeemed but not the way that God had wanted. Jesus understood that fact because of his celestial connection to the Father.\n\nOne stern rebuke from Jesus and the devil left.  While Jesus\' divinity was challenged it was not diminished in any way.\n\nHowever, had Jesus yielded to any of those temptation attempts it would have resulted in the most epic identity theft in the history of the universe because the devil would have ascended above the Most High.\n\nAgain Jesus\' divine identity prevented that theft from happening.\n<h3>Other Divine Identity Theft Attempts</h3>\nThroughout the remainder of Jesus\' recorded life, the scriptures state that his heavenly sonship continued to be questioned. Perhaps most notable are several examples at the time of his crucifixion:\n<ul>\n	<li>Roman guards beat and mocked Jesus demanding a display of his power - <a href=\"http://bible.cc/luke/22-64.htm\">Luke 22:64</a> and <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A36-38&amp;version=AMP\">Luke 23:36-38</a></li>\n	<li>The magistrate Herod similarly demanded a sign or miracle - <a href=\"http://www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?q=Luke%2023:8-11\">Luke 23: 8-11</a></li>\n	<li>One of the thieves crucified along side of Jesus also demanded a sign and power display - <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Luke+23.39-43/\">Luke 23:39-43</a></li>\n	<li>As well as local leaders who stood and watched Jesus die, while mocking his divinity claim - <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A33-35&amp;version=NIV\">Luke 33:35</a></li>\n</ul>\n<h3>Restraint Was Jesus\' Greatest Miracle</h3>\nOne of the most interesting yet overlooked aspects of Jesus\' identity was that he never felt compelled to prove himself to anybody. Throughout all of scripture, Jesus wasn\'t moved to perform miracles by violence, coerscion or even threat of death. He was however moved by compassion, faith and recognition that he was who he said he was.\n\nAccording to the bible, those who recognized his true identity as the son of God were the only ones who received his miracles and blessings.\n\nEven while hanging on the cross, amidst the sneering jeers to save himself and thereby prove his divintiy to the people, Jesus knew that if he came down off that tree his true identity as a sinless sacrifice and sole path for redemption would have been abdicated and his divine mission forfeited.\n\nJesus was the only one who knew that, and his restraint to maintain that identity ultimately reconciled us back to the Father.\n<h3>Hijacking Jesus\' Identity Today</h3>\nFast forward 2,000 years to the current era where we routinely, albeit unwittingly perhaps, try to strip Jesus of his divinity today.\n\nWe do that when believers and non-believers alike give God an ultimatum that we will <em><strong>only</strong></em> believe in him if he acts or intervenes on our behalf for healing, finances, peace, relational restoration or any other legitimate need.\n\nBut when we make such demands, how are we any different than those we\'ve looked at who goaded God to act such as the robber, Herod, the centurions or even Satan himself?\n\nWe aren\'t.\n\nHopefully we can identify with that failing and find grace waiting in the arms of a loving savior who can identify with every aspect of our frailties.\n\n&nbsp;','Hijacking Jesus\' Identity','','inherit','open','open','','5552-revision-40','','','2012-03-22 18:13:16','2012-03-23 01:13:16','',5552,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/22/5552-revision-40/',0,'revision','',0),(5600,153,'2012-03-22 18:16:38','2012-03-23 01:16:38','[caption id=\"attachment_5571\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"487\" caption=\"usage rights secured via dreamstime.com\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-5571\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"487\" height=\"199\" /></a>[/caption]\n<h2>The Ongoing Identity Theft of Jesus</h2>\nThe divinity of Jesus has been questioned for thousands of years.\n\nIt\'s not surprising that one of the first recorded instances of this divine doubt occurred before Jesus officially started his ministry. According to the gospel of Matthew, Jesus was fasting in the desert for 40 days when the devil approached him in the wasteland - questioning the Lord\'s deistic attributes.\n<h3>Appealing to Appetite</h3>\nWe read in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A3-4&amp;version=NKJV\">Matthew 4:3-4</a> that the tempter questioned that if Jesus was indeed the Son of God, then Jesus would be able to turn nearby rock piles warmed by the desert sun into piles of warm bread. Jesus parried with the classic, \"...<em>man shall not live by bread alone...</em>\" verbal retort despite the gnawing hunger in his human belly. This exchange points as proof that both individuals knew that Jesus was both God and man, yet Jesus didn\'t have to prove that point to anybody.\n<h3>Appealing to Prophecy</h3>\nSubsequently the devil quoted scripture to Jesus, as seen in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A5-7&amp;version=NIV\">Matthew 4:5-7</a>, where the adversary asserted that Jesus could fling himself from the cliff and the \"<em>...angels would bear him up...</em>\" in a seeming appeal for Jesus to fulfill prophecy written centuries before that the Messiah would have to die. Jesus didn\'t fall for it - figuratively nor literally. The scriptures state that Jesus was closely attuned to the will and timing of God, and that his time of death had not yet come - further solidifying his deity identity.\n<h3>Appealing to Compassion</h3>\nThe chapter goes on to state in <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Matthew+4.8-11/\">Matthew 4:8-11</a> that the devil changed tactics and tried to appeal to Christ\'s love of humanity by offering the world which had been subjected to demonic control since The Fall in Eden in exchange for Jesus falling to his knees in worship of the first fallen angel.\n\nHad Jesus agreed to this quick-fix alternative to salvation - and he could have - the earth might have been redeemed but not the way that God had wanted. Jesus understood that fact because of his celestial connection to the Father.\n\nOne stern rebuke from Jesus and the devil left.  While Jesus\' divinity was challenged it was not diminished in any way.\n\nHowever, had Jesus yielded to any of those temptation attempts it would have resulted in the most epic identity theft in the history of the universe because the devil would have ascended above the Most High.\n\nAgain Jesus\' divine identity prevented that theft from happening.\n<h3>Other Divine Identity Theft Attempts</h3>\nThroughout the remainder of Jesus\' recorded life, the scriptures state that his heavenly sonship continued to be questioned. Perhaps most notable are several examples at the time of his crucifixion:\n<ul>\n	<li>Roman guards beat and mocked Jesus demanding a display of his power - <a href=\"http://bible.cc/luke/22-64.htm\">Luke 22:64</a> and <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A36-38&amp;version=AMP\">Luke 23:36-38</a></li>\n	<li>The magistrate Herod similarly demanded a sign or miracle - <a href=\"http://www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?q=Luke%2023:8-11\">Luke 23: 8-11</a></li>\n	<li>One of the thieves crucified along side of Jesus also demanded a sign and power display - <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Luke+23.39-43/\">Luke 23:39-43</a></li>\n	<li>As well as local leaders who stood and watched Jesus die, while mocking his divinity claim - <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A33-35&amp;version=NIV\">Luke 33:35</a></li>\n</ul>\n<h3>Restraint Was Jesus\' Greatest Miracle</h3>\nOne of the most interesting yet overlooked aspects of Jesus\' identity was that he never felt compelled to prove himself to anybody. Throughout all of scripture, Jesus wasn\'t moved to perform miracles by violence, coerscion or even threat of death. He was however moved by compassion, faith and recognition that he was who he said he was.\n\nAccording to the bible, those who recognized his true identity as the son of God were the only ones who received his miracles and blessings.\n\nEven while hanging on the cross, amidst the sneering jeers to save himself and thereby prove his divintiy to the people, Jesus knew that if he came down off that tree his true identity as a sinless sacrifice and sole path for redemption would have been abdicated and his divine mission forfeited.\n\nJesus was the only one who knew that, and his restraint to maintain that identity ultimately reconciled us back to the Father.\n<h3>Hijacking Jesus\' Identity Today</h3>\nFast forward 2,000 years to the current era where we routinely, albeit unwittingly perhaps, try to strip Jesus of his divinity today.\n\nWe do that when believers and non-believers alike give God an ultimatum that we will <em><strong>only</strong></em> believe in him if he acts or intervenes on our behalf for healing, finances, peace, relational restoration or any other legitimate need.\n\nBut when we make such demands, how are we any different than those we\'ve looked at who goaded God to act - such as the robber, Herod, the centurions or even Satan himself?\n\nWe aren\'t.\n\nHopefully we can identify with that failing and find grace waiting in the arms of a loving savior who can identify with every aspect of our frailties.\n\n&nbsp;','Hijacking Jesus\' Identity','','inherit','open','open','','5552-revision-43','','','2012-03-22 18:16:38','2012-03-23 01:16:38','',5552,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/22/5552-revision-43/',0,'revision','',0),(5598,153,'2012-03-22 18:13:52','2012-03-23 01:13:52','[caption id=\"attachment_5571\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"487\" caption=\"usage rights secured via dreamstime.com\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-5571\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"487\" height=\"199\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n<h2>The Ongoing Identity Theft of Jesus</h2>\r\nThe divinity of Jesus has been questioned for thousands of years.\r\n\r\nIt\'s not surprising that one of the first recorded instances of this divine doubt occurred before Jesus officially started his ministry. According to the gospel of Matthew, Jesus was fasting in the desert for 40 days when the devil approached him in the wasteland - questioning the Lord\'s deistic attributes.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Appetite</h3>\r\nWe read in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A3-4&amp;version=NKJV\">Matthew 4:3-4</a> that the tempter questioned that if Jesus was indeed the Son of God, then Jesus would be able to turn nearby rock piles warmed by the desert sun into piles of warm bread. Jesus parried with the classic, \"...<em>man shall not live by bread alone...</em>\" verbal retort despite the gnawing hunger in his human belly. This exchange points as proof that both individuals knew that Jesus was both God and man, yet Jesus didn\'t have to prove that point to anybody.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Prophecy</h3>\r\nSubsequently the devil quoted scripture to Jesus, as seen in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A5-7&amp;version=NIV\">Matthew 4:5-7</a>, where the adversary asserted that Jesus could fling himself from the cliff and the \"<em>...angels would bear him up...</em>\" in a seeming appeal for Jesus to fulfill prophecy written centuries before that the Messiah would have to die. Jesus didn\'t fall for it - figuratively nor literally. The scriptures state that Jesus was closely attuned to the will and timing of God, and that his time of death had not yet come - further solidifying his deity identity.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Compassion</h3>\r\nThe chapter goes on to state in <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Matthew+4.8-11/\">Matthew 4:8-11</a> that the devil changed tactics and tried to appeal to Christ\'s love of humanity by offering the world which had been subjected to demonic control since The Fall in Eden in exchange for Jesus falling to his knees in worship of the first fallen angel.\r\n\r\nHad Jesus agreed to this quick-fix alternative to salvation - and he could have - the earth might have been redeemed but not the way that God had wanted. Jesus understood that fact because of his celestial connection to the Father.\r\n\r\nOne stern rebuke from Jesus and the devil left.  While Jesus\' divinity was challenged it was not diminished in any way.\r\n\r\nHowever, had Jesus yielded to any of those temptation attempts it would have resulted in the most epic identity theft in the history of the universe because the devil would have ascended above the Most High.\r\n\r\nAgain Jesus\' divine identity prevented that theft from happening.\r\n<h3>Other Divine Identity Theft Attempts</h3>\r\nThroughout the remainder of Jesus\' recorded life, the scriptures state that his heavenly sonship continued to be questioned. Perhaps most notable are several examples at the time of his crucifixion:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Roman guards beat and mocked Jesus demanding a display of his power - <a href=\"http://bible.cc/luke/22-64.htm\">Luke 22:64</a> and <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A36-38&amp;version=AMP\">Luke 23:36-38</a></li>\r\n	<li>The magistrate Herod similarly demanded a sign or miracle - <a href=\"http://www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?q=Luke%2023:8-11\">Luke 23: 8-11</a></li>\r\n	<li>One of the thieves crucified along side of Jesus also demanded a sign and power display - <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Luke+23.39-43/\">Luke 23:39-43</a></li>\r\n	<li>As well as local leaders who stood and watched Jesus die, while mocking his divinity claim - <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A33-35&amp;version=NIV\">Luke 33:35</a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h3>Restraint Was Jesus\' Greatest Miracle</h3>\r\nOne of the most interesting yet overlooked aspects of Jesus\' identity was that he never felt compelled to prove himself to anybody. Throughout all of scripture, Jesus wasn\'t moved to perform miracles by violence, coerscion or even threat of death. He was however moved by compassion, faith and recognition that he was who he said he was.\r\n\r\nAccording to the bible, those who recognized his true identity as the son of God were the only ones who received his miracles and blessings.\r\n\r\nEven while hanging on the cross, amidst the sneering jeers to save himself and thereby prove his divintiy to the people, Jesus knew that if he came down off that tree his true identity as a sinless sacrifice and sole path for redemption would have been abdicated and his divine mission forfeited.\r\n\r\nJesus was the only one who knew that, and his restraint to maintain that identity ultimately reconciled us back to the Father.\r\n<h3>Hijacking Jesus\' Identity Today</h3>\r\nFast forward 2,000 years to the current era where we routinely, albeit unwittingly perhaps, try to strip Jesus of his divinity today.\r\n\r\nWe do that when believers and non-believers alike give God an ultimatum that we will <em><strong>only</strong></em> believe in him if he acts or intervenes on our behalf for healing, finances, peace, relational restoration or any other legitimate need.\r\n\r\nBut when we make such demands, how are we any different than those we\'ve looked at who goaded God to act - such as the robber, Herod, the centurions or even Satan himself?\r\n\r\nWe aren\'t.\r\n\r\nHopefully we can identify with that failing and find grace waiting in the arms of a loving savior who can identify with every aspect of our frailties.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Hijacking Jesus\' Identity','','inherit','open','open','','5552-revision-41','','','2012-03-22 18:13:52','2012-03-23 01:13:52','',5552,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/22/5552-revision-41/',0,'revision','',0),(5599,153,'2012-03-22 18:14:03','2012-03-23 01:14:03','[caption id=\"attachment_5571\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"487\" caption=\"usage rights secured via dreamstime.com\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-5571\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"487\" height=\"199\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n<h2>The Ongoing Identity Theft of Jesus</h2>\r\nThe divinity of Jesus has been questioned for thousands of years.\r\n\r\nIt\'s not surprising that one of the first recorded instances of this divine doubt occurred before Jesus officially started his ministry. According to the gospel of Matthew, Jesus was fasting in the desert for 40 days when the devil approached him in the wasteland - questioning the Lord\'s deistic attributes.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Appetite</h3>\r\nWe read in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A3-4&amp;version=NKJV\">Matthew 4:3-4</a> that the tempter questioned that if Jesus was indeed the Son of God, then Jesus would be able to turn nearby rock piles warmed by the desert sun into piles of warm bread. Jesus parried with the classic, \"...<em>man shall not live by bread alone...</em>\" verbal retort despite the gnawing hunger in his human belly. This exchange points as proof that both individuals knew that Jesus was both God and man, yet Jesus didn\'t have to prove that point to anybody.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Prophecy</h3>\r\nSubsequently the devil quoted scripture to Jesus, as seen in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A5-7&amp;version=NIV\">Matthew 4:5-7</a>, where the adversary asserted that Jesus could fling himself from the cliff and the \"<em>...angels would bear him up...</em>\" in a seeming appeal for Jesus to fulfill prophecy written centuries before that the Messiah would have to die. Jesus didn\'t fall for it - figuratively nor literally. The scriptures state that Jesus was closely attuned to the will and timing of God, and that his time of death had not yet come - further solidifying his deity identity.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Compassion</h3>\r\nThe chapter goes on to state in <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Matthew+4.8-11/\">Matthew 4:8-11</a> that the devil changed tactics and tried to appeal to Christ\'s love of humanity by offering the world which had been subjected to demonic control since The Fall in Eden in exchange for Jesus falling to his knees in worship of the first fallen angel.\r\n\r\nHad Jesus agreed to this quick-fix alternative to salvation - and he could have - the earth might have been redeemed but not the way that God had wanted. Jesus understood that fact because of his celestial connection to the Father.\r\n\r\nOne stern rebuke from Jesus and the devil left.  While Jesus\' divinity was challenged it was not diminished in any way.\r\n\r\nHowever, had Jesus yielded to any of those temptation attempts it would have resulted in the most epic identity theft in the history of the universe because the devil would have ascended above the Most High.\r\n\r\nAgain Jesus\' divine identity prevented that theft from happening.\r\n<h3>Other Divine Identity Theft Attempts</h3>\r\nThroughout the remainder of Jesus\' recorded life, the scriptures state that his heavenly sonship continued to be questioned. Perhaps most notable are several examples at the time of his crucifixion:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Roman guards beat and mocked Jesus demanding a display of his power - <a href=\"http://bible.cc/luke/22-64.htm\">Luke 22:64</a> and <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A36-38&amp;version=AMP\">Luke 23:36-38</a></li>\r\n	<li>The magistrate Herod similarly demanded a sign or miracle - <a href=\"http://www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?q=Luke%2023:8-11\">Luke 23: 8-11</a></li>\r\n	<li>One of the thieves crucified along side of Jesus also demanded a sign and power display - <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Luke+23.39-43/\">Luke 23:39-43</a></li>\r\n	<li>As well as local leaders who stood and watched Jesus die, while mocking his divinity claim - <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A33-35&amp;version=NIV\">Luke 33:35</a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h3>Restraint Was Jesus\' Greatest Miracle</h3>\r\nOne of the most interesting yet overlooked aspects of Jesus\' identity was that he never felt compelled to prove himself to anybody. Throughout all of scripture, Jesus wasn\'t moved to perform miracles by violence, coerscion or even threat of death. He was however moved by compassion, faith and recognition that he was who he said he was.\r\n\r\nAccording to the bible, those who recognized his true identity as the son of God were the only ones who received his miracles and blessings.\r\n\r\nEven while hanging on the cross, amidst the sneering jeers to save himself and thereby prove his divintiy to the people, Jesus knew that if he came down off that tree his true identity as a sinless sacrifice and sole path for redemption would have been abdicated and his divine mission forfeited.\r\n\r\nJesus was the only one who knew that, and his restraint to maintain that identity ultimately reconciled us back to the Father.\r\n<h3>Hijacking Jesus\' Identity Today</h3>\r\nFast forward 2,000 years to the current era where we routinely, albeit unwittingly perhaps, try to strip Jesus of his divinity today.\r\n\r\nWe do that when believers and non-believers alike give God an ultimatum that we will <em><strong>only</strong></em> believe in him if he acts or intervenes on our behalf for healing, finances, peace, relational restoration or any other legitimate need.\r\n\r\nBut when we make such demands, how are we any different than those we\'ve looked at who goaded God to act - such as the robber, Herod, the centurions or even Satan himself?\r\n\r\nWe aren\'t.\r\n\r\nHopefully we can identify with that failing and find grace waiting in the arms of a loving savior who can identify with every aspect of our frailties.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Hijacking Jesus\' Identity','','inherit','open','open','','5552-revision-42','','','2012-03-22 18:14:03','2012-03-23 01:14:03','',5552,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/22/5552-revision-42/',0,'revision','',0),(5601,153,'2012-03-22 18:26:35','2012-03-23 01:26:35','[caption id=\"attachment_5571\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"487\" caption=\"usage rights secured via dreamstime.com\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-5571\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"487\" height=\"199\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n<h2>The Ongoing Identity Theft of Jesus</h2>\r\nThe divinity of Jesus has been questioned for thousands of years.\r\n\r\nIt\'s not surprising that one of the first recorded instances of this divine doubt occurred before Jesus officially started his ministry. According to the gospel of Matthew, Jesus was fasting in the desert for 40 days when the devil approached him in the wasteland - questioning the Lord\'s deistic attributes.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Appetite</h3>\r\nWe read in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A3-4&amp;version=NKJV\">Matthew 4:3-4</a> that the tempter questioned that if Jesus was indeed the Son of God, then Jesus would be able to turn nearby rock piles warmed by the desert sun into piles of warm bread. Jesus parried with the classic, \"...<em>man shall not live by bread alone...</em>\" verbal retort despite the gnawing hunger in his human belly. This exchange points as proof that both individuals knew that Jesus was both God and man, yet Jesus didn\'t have to prove that point to anybody.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Prophecy</h3>\r\nSubsequently the devil quoted scripture to Jesus, as seen in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A5-7&amp;version=NIV\">Matthew 4:5-7</a>, where the adversary asserted that Jesus could fling himself from the cliff and the \"<em>...angels would bear him up...</em>\" in a seeming appeal for Jesus to fulfill prophecy written centuries before that the Messiah would have to die. Jesus didn\'t fall for it - figuratively nor literally. The scriptures state that Jesus was closely attuned to the will and timing of God, and that his time of death had not yet come - further solidifying his deity identity.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Compassion</h3>\r\nThe chapter goes on to state in <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Matthew+4.8-11/\">Matthew 4:8-11</a> that the devil changed tactics and tried to appeal to Christ\'s love of humanity by offering the world which had been subjected to demonic control since The Fall in Eden in exchange for Jesus falling to his knees in worship of the first fallen angel.\r\n\r\nHad Jesus agreed to this quick-fix alternative to salvation - and he could have - the earth might have been redeemed but not the way that God had wanted. Jesus understood that fact because of his celestial connection to the Father.\r\n\r\nOne stern rebuke from Jesus and the devil left.  While Jesus\' divinity was challenged it was not diminished in any way.\r\n\r\nHowever, had Jesus yielded to any of those temptation attempts it would have resulted in the most epic identity theft in the history of the universe because the devil would have ascended above the Most High.\r\n\r\nAgain Jesus\' divine identity prevented that theft from happening.\r\n<h3>Other Divine Identity Theft Attempts</h3>\r\nThroughout the remainder of Jesus\' recorded life, the scriptures state that his heavenly sonship continued to be questioned. Perhaps most notable are several examples at the time of his crucifixion:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Roman guards beat and mocked Jesus demanding a display of his power - <a href=\"http://bible.cc/luke/22-64.htm\">Luke 22:64</a> and <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A36-38&amp;version=AMP\">Luke 23:36-38</a></li>\r\n	<li>The magistrate Herod similarly demanded a sign or miracle - <a href=\"http://www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?q=Luke%2023:8-11\">Luke 23: 8-11</a></li>\r\n	<li>One of the thieves crucified along side of Jesus also demanded a sign and power display - <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Luke+23.39-43/\">Luke 23:39-43</a></li>\r\n	<li>As well as local leaders who stood and watched Jesus die, while mocking his divinity claim - <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A33-35&amp;version=NIV\">Luke 33:35</a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h3>Restraint Was Jesus\' Greatest Miracle</h3>\r\nOne of the most interesting yet overlooked aspects of Jesus\' identity was that he never felt compelled to prove himself to anybody. Throughout all of scripture, Jesus wasn\'t moved to perform miracles by violence, coerscion or even threat of death. He was however moved by compassion, faith and recognition that he was who he said he was.\r\n\r\nAccording to the bible, those who recognized his true identity as the son of God were the only ones who received his miracles and blessings.\r\n\r\nEven while hanging on the cross, amidst the sneering jeers to save himself and thereby prove his divintiy to the people, Jesus knew that if he came down off that tree his true identity as a sinless sacrifice and sole path for redemption would have been abdicated and his divine mission forfeited.\r\n\r\nJesus was the only one who knew that, and his restraint to maintain that identity ultimately reconciled us back to the Father.\r\n<h3>Hijacking Jesus\' Identity Today</h3>\r\nFast forward 2,000 years to the current era where we routinely, albeit unwittingly perhaps, try to strip Jesus of his divinity today.\r\n\r\nWe do that when believers and non-believers alike give God an ultimatum that we will <em><strong>only</strong></em> believe in him if he acts or intervenes on our behalf for healing, finances, peace, relational restoration or any other legitimate need.\r\n\r\nBut when we make such demands, how are we any different than those we\'ve looked at who goaded God to act - such as the robber, Herod, the centurions or even Satan himself?\r\n\r\nWe aren\'t.\r\n\r\nHopefully we can identify with that failing and find grace waiting in the arms of a loving savior who can identify with every aspect of our frailties.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Hijacking Jesus\' Identity','','inherit','open','open','','5552-revision-44','','','2012-03-22 18:26:35','2012-03-23 01:26:35','',5552,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/22/5552-revision-44/',0,'revision','',0),(5605,153,'2012-03-22 18:34:31','2012-03-23 01:34:31','[caption id=\"attachment_5571\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"487\" caption=\"usage rights secured via dreamstime.com\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-5571\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"487\" height=\"199\" /></a>[/caption]\n<h2>The Ongoing Identity Theft of Jesus</h2>\nThe divinity of Jesus has been questioned for thousands of years.\n\nIt\'s not surprising that one of the first recorded instances of this divine doubt occurred before Jesus officially started his ministry. According to the gospel of Matthew, Jesus was fasting in the desert for 40 days when the devil approached him in the wasteland - questioning the Lord\'s deistic attributes.\n<h3>Appealing to Appetite</h3>\nWe read in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A3-4&amp;version=NKJV\">Matthew 4:3-4</a> that the tempter questioned that if Jesus was indeed the Son of God, then Jesus would be able to turn nearby rock piles warmed by the desert sun into piles of warm bread. Jesus parried with the classic, \"...<em>man shall not live by bread alone...</em>\" verbal retort despite the gnawing hunger in his human belly. This exchange points as proof that both individuals knew that Jesus was both God and man, yet Jesus didn\'t have to prove that point to anybody.\n<h3>Appealing to Prophecy</h3>\nSubsequently the devil quoted scripture to Jesus, as seen in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A5-7&amp;version=NIV\">Matthew 4:5-7</a>, where the adversary asserted that Jesus could fling himself from the cliff and the \"<em>...angels would bear him up...</em>\" in a seeming appeal for Jesus to fulfill prophecy written centuries before that the Messiah would have to die. Jesus didn\'t fall for it - figuratively nor literally. The scriptures state that Jesus was closely attuned to the will and timing of God, and that his time of death had not yet come - further solidifying his deity identity.\n<h3>Appealing to Compassion</h3>\nThe chapter goes on to state in <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Matthew+4.8-11/\">Matthew 4:8-11</a> that the devil changed tactics and tried to appeal to Christ\'s love of humanity by offering him the world which had been subjected to demonic control since \"The Fall\" in Eden, in exchange for Jesus falling to his knees to worship the first fallen angel.\n\nHad Jesus agreed to this quick-fix alternative to salvation - and he could have - the earth might have been redeemed but not the way that God had wanted. Jesus understood that fact because of his celestial connection to the Father.\n\nOne stern rebuke from Jesus and the devil left.  While Jesus\' divinity had been challenged it was not diminished in any way.\n\nHowever, had Jesus yielded to any of those temptation attempts it would have resulted in the most epic identity theft in the history of the universe because the devil would have ascended above the Most High.\n\nAgain Jesus\' divine identity prevented that theft from happening.\n<h3>Other Divine Identity Theft Attempts</h3>\nRegardless, throughout the remainder of Jesus\' recorded life the scriptures state that his heavenly sonship continued to be questioned. Perhaps most notable are several examples at the time of his crucifixion:\n<ul>\n	<li>Roman guards beat and mocked Jesus demanding a display of his power - <a href=\"http://bible.cc/luke/22-64.htm\">Luke 22:64</a> and <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A36-38&amp;version=AMP\">Luke 23:36-38</a></li>\n	<li>The magistrate Herod similarly demanded a sign or miracle - <a href=\"http://www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?q=Luke%2023:8-11\">Luke 23: 8-11</a></li>\n	<li>One of the thieves crucified along side of Jesus also demanded a sign and power display - <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Luke+23.39-43/\">Luke 23:39-43</a></li>\n	<li>As well as local leaders who stood and watched Jesus die, while mocking his divinity claim - <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A33-35&amp;version=NIV\">Luke 33:35</a></li>\n</ul>\n<h3>Restraint Was Jesus\' Greatest Miracle</h3>\nOne of the most interesting yet overlooked aspects of Jesus\' identity was that he never felt compelled to prove himself to anybody. Throughout all of scripture, Jesus wasn\'t moved to perform miracles by violence, coerscion or even threat of death. He was however moved by compassion, faith and recognition that he was who he said he was.\n\nAccording to the bible, those who recognized his true identity as the son of God were the only ones who received his miracles and blessings.\n\nEven while hanging on the cross, amidst the sneering jeers to save himself and thereby prove his divintiy to the people, Jesus knew that if he came down off that tree his true identity as a sinless sacrifice and sole path for redemption would have been abdicated and his divine mission forfeited.\n\nJesus was the only one who knew that, and his restraint to maintain that identity ultimately reconciled us back to the Father.\n<h3>Hijacking Jesus\' Identity Today</h3>\nFast forward 2,000 years to the current era where we routinely, albeit unwittingly perhaps, try to strip Jesus of his divinity today.\n\nWe do that when believers and non-believers alike give God an ultimatum that we will <em><strong>only</strong></em> believe in him if he acts or intervenes on our behalf for healing, finances, peace, relational restoration or any other legitimate need.\n\nBut when we make such demands, how are we any different than those we\'ve looked at who goaded God to act - such as the robber, Herod, the centurions or even Satan himself?\n\nWe aren\'t.\n\nHopefully we can identify with that failing and find grace waiting in the arms of a loving savior who can identify with every aspect of our frailties.\n\n&nbsp;','Hijacking Jesus\' Identity','','inherit','open','open','','5552-revision-48','','','2012-03-22 18:34:31','2012-03-23 01:34:31','',5552,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/22/5552-revision-48/',0,'revision','',0),(5602,153,'2012-03-22 18:28:31','2012-03-23 01:28:31','[caption id=\"attachment_5571\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"487\" caption=\"usage rights secured via dreamstime.com\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-5571\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"487\" height=\"199\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n<h2>The Ongoing Identity Theft of Jesus</h2>\r\nThe divinity of Jesus has been questioned for thousands of years.\r\n\r\nIt\'s not surprising that one of the first recorded instances of this divine doubt occurred before Jesus officially started his ministry. According to the gospel of Matthew, Jesus was fasting in the desert for 40 days when the devil approached him in the wasteland - questioning the Lord\'s deistic attributes.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Appetite</h3>\r\nWe read in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A3-4&amp;version=NKJV\">Matthew 4:3-4</a> that the tempter questioned that if Jesus was indeed the Son of God, then Jesus would be able to turn nearby rock piles warmed by the desert sun into piles of warm bread. Jesus parried with the classic, \"...<em>man shall not live by bread alone...</em>\" verbal retort despite the gnawing hunger in his human belly. This exchange points as proof that both individuals knew that Jesus was both God and man, yet Jesus didn\'t have to prove that point to anybody.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Prophecy</h3>\r\nSubsequently the devil quoted scripture to Jesus, as seen in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A5-7&amp;version=NIV\">Matthew 4:5-7</a>, where the adversary asserted that Jesus could fling himself from the cliff and the \"<em>...angels would bear him up...</em>\" in a seeming appeal for Jesus to fulfill prophecy written centuries before that the Messiah would have to die. Jesus didn\'t fall for it - figuratively nor literally. The scriptures state that Jesus was closely attuned to the will and timing of God, and that his time of death had not yet come - further solidifying his deity identity.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Compassion</h3>\r\nThe chapter goes on to state in <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Matthew+4.8-11/\">Matthew 4:8-11</a> that the devil changed tactics and tried to appeal to Christ\'s love of humanity by offering the world which had been subjected to demonic control since \"The Fall\" in Eden in exchange for Jesus falling to his knees in worship of the first fallen angel.\r\n\r\nHad Jesus agreed to this quick-fix alternative to salvation - and he could have - the earth might have been redeemed but not the way that God had wanted. Jesus understood that fact because of his celestial connection to the Father.\r\n\r\nOne stern rebuke from Jesus and the devil left.  While Jesus\' divinity was challenged it was not diminished in any way.\r\n\r\nHowever, had Jesus yielded to any of those temptation attempts it would have resulted in the most epic identity theft in the history of the universe because the devil would have ascended above the Most High.\r\n\r\nAgain Jesus\' divine identity prevented that theft from happening.\r\n<h3>Other Divine Identity Theft Attempts</h3>\r\nThroughout the remainder of Jesus\' recorded life, the scriptures state that his heavenly sonship continued to be questioned. Perhaps most notable are several examples at the time of his crucifixion:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Roman guards beat and mocked Jesus demanding a display of his power - <a href=\"http://bible.cc/luke/22-64.htm\">Luke 22:64</a> and <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A36-38&amp;version=AMP\">Luke 23:36-38</a></li>\r\n	<li>The magistrate Herod similarly demanded a sign or miracle - <a href=\"http://www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?q=Luke%2023:8-11\">Luke 23: 8-11</a></li>\r\n	<li>One of the thieves crucified along side of Jesus also demanded a sign and power display - <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Luke+23.39-43/\">Luke 23:39-43</a></li>\r\n	<li>As well as local leaders who stood and watched Jesus die, while mocking his divinity claim - <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A33-35&amp;version=NIV\">Luke 33:35</a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h3>Restraint Was Jesus\' Greatest Miracle</h3>\r\nOne of the most interesting yet overlooked aspects of Jesus\' identity was that he never felt compelled to prove himself to anybody. Throughout all of scripture, Jesus wasn\'t moved to perform miracles by violence, coerscion or even threat of death. He was however moved by compassion, faith and recognition that he was who he said he was.\r\n\r\nAccording to the bible, those who recognized his true identity as the son of God were the only ones who received his miracles and blessings.\r\n\r\nEven while hanging on the cross, amidst the sneering jeers to save himself and thereby prove his divintiy to the people, Jesus knew that if he came down off that tree his true identity as a sinless sacrifice and sole path for redemption would have been abdicated and his divine mission forfeited.\r\n\r\nJesus was the only one who knew that, and his restraint to maintain that identity ultimately reconciled us back to the Father.\r\n<h3>Hijacking Jesus\' Identity Today</h3>\r\nFast forward 2,000 years to the current era where we routinely, albeit unwittingly perhaps, try to strip Jesus of his divinity today.\r\n\r\nWe do that when believers and non-believers alike give God an ultimatum that we will <em><strong>only</strong></em> believe in him if he acts or intervenes on our behalf for healing, finances, peace, relational restoration or any other legitimate need.\r\n\r\nBut when we make such demands, how are we any different than those we\'ve looked at who goaded God to act - such as the robber, Herod, the centurions or even Satan himself?\r\n\r\nWe aren\'t.\r\n\r\nHopefully we can identify with that failing and find grace waiting in the arms of a loving savior who can identify with every aspect of our frailties.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Hijacking Jesus\' Identity','','inherit','open','open','','5552-revision-45','','','2012-03-22 18:28:31','2012-03-23 01:28:31','',5552,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/22/5552-revision-45/',0,'revision','',0),(5603,153,'2012-03-22 18:30:24','2012-03-23 01:30:24','[caption id=\"attachment_5571\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"487\" caption=\"usage rights secured via dreamstime.com\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-5571\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"487\" height=\"199\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n<h2>The Ongoing Identity Theft of Jesus</h2>\r\nThe divinity of Jesus has been questioned for thousands of years.\r\n\r\nIt\'s not surprising that one of the first recorded instances of this divine doubt occurred before Jesus officially started his ministry. According to the gospel of Matthew, Jesus was fasting in the desert for 40 days when the devil approached him in the wasteland - questioning the Lord\'s deistic attributes.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Appetite</h3>\r\nWe read in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A3-4&amp;version=NKJV\">Matthew 4:3-4</a> that the tempter questioned that if Jesus was indeed the Son of God, then Jesus would be able to turn nearby rock piles warmed by the desert sun into piles of warm bread. Jesus parried with the classic, \"...<em>man shall not live by bread alone...</em>\" verbal retort despite the gnawing hunger in his human belly. This exchange points as proof that both individuals knew that Jesus was both God and man, yet Jesus didn\'t have to prove that point to anybody.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Prophecy</h3>\r\nSubsequently the devil quoted scripture to Jesus, as seen in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A5-7&amp;version=NIV\">Matthew 4:5-7</a>, where the adversary asserted that Jesus could fling himself from the cliff and the \"<em>...angels would bear him up...</em>\" in a seeming appeal for Jesus to fulfill prophecy written centuries before that the Messiah would have to die. Jesus didn\'t fall for it - figuratively nor literally. The scriptures state that Jesus was closely attuned to the will and timing of God, and that his time of death had not yet come - further solidifying his deity identity.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Compassion</h3>\r\nThe chapter goes on to state in <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Matthew+4.8-11/\">Matthew 4:8-11</a> that the devil changed tactics and tried to appeal to Christ\'s love of humanity by offering him the world which had been subjected to demonic control since \"The Fall\" in Eden, in exchange for Jesus falling to his knees to worship the first fallen angel.\r\n\r\nHad Jesus agreed to this quick-fix alternative to salvation - and he could have - the earth might have been redeemed but not the way that God had wanted. Jesus understood that fact because of his celestial connection to the Father.\r\n\r\nOne stern rebuke from Jesus and the devil left.  While Jesus\' divinity was challenged it was not diminished in any way.\r\n\r\nHowever, had Jesus yielded to any of those temptation attempts it would have resulted in the most epic identity theft in the history of the universe because the devil would have ascended above the Most High.\r\n\r\nAgain Jesus\' divine identity prevented that theft from happening.\r\n<h3>Other Divine Identity Theft Attempts</h3>\r\nThroughout the remainder of Jesus\' recorded life, the scriptures state that his heavenly sonship continued to be questioned. Perhaps most notable are several examples at the time of his crucifixion:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Roman guards beat and mocked Jesus demanding a display of his power - <a href=\"http://bible.cc/luke/22-64.htm\">Luke 22:64</a> and <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A36-38&amp;version=AMP\">Luke 23:36-38</a></li>\r\n	<li>The magistrate Herod similarly demanded a sign or miracle - <a href=\"http://www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?q=Luke%2023:8-11\">Luke 23: 8-11</a></li>\r\n	<li>One of the thieves crucified along side of Jesus also demanded a sign and power display - <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Luke+23.39-43/\">Luke 23:39-43</a></li>\r\n	<li>As well as local leaders who stood and watched Jesus die, while mocking his divinity claim - <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A33-35&amp;version=NIV\">Luke 33:35</a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h3>Restraint Was Jesus\' Greatest Miracle</h3>\r\nOne of the most interesting yet overlooked aspects of Jesus\' identity was that he never felt compelled to prove himself to anybody. Throughout all of scripture, Jesus wasn\'t moved to perform miracles by violence, coerscion or even threat of death. He was however moved by compassion, faith and recognition that he was who he said he was.\r\n\r\nAccording to the bible, those who recognized his true identity as the son of God were the only ones who received his miracles and blessings.\r\n\r\nEven while hanging on the cross, amidst the sneering jeers to save himself and thereby prove his divintiy to the people, Jesus knew that if he came down off that tree his true identity as a sinless sacrifice and sole path for redemption would have been abdicated and his divine mission forfeited.\r\n\r\nJesus was the only one who knew that, and his restraint to maintain that identity ultimately reconciled us back to the Father.\r\n<h3>Hijacking Jesus\' Identity Today</h3>\r\nFast forward 2,000 years to the current era where we routinely, albeit unwittingly perhaps, try to strip Jesus of his divinity today.\r\n\r\nWe do that when believers and non-believers alike give God an ultimatum that we will <em><strong>only</strong></em> believe in him if he acts or intervenes on our behalf for healing, finances, peace, relational restoration or any other legitimate need.\r\n\r\nBut when we make such demands, how are we any different than those we\'ve looked at who goaded God to act - such as the robber, Herod, the centurions or even Satan himself?\r\n\r\nWe aren\'t.\r\n\r\nHopefully we can identify with that failing and find grace waiting in the arms of a loving savior who can identify with every aspect of our frailties.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Hijacking Jesus\' Identity','','inherit','open','open','','5552-revision-46','','','2012-03-22 18:30:24','2012-03-23 01:30:24','',5552,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/22/5552-revision-46/',0,'revision','',0),(5604,153,'2012-03-22 18:31:14','2012-03-23 01:31:14','[caption id=\"attachment_5571\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"487\" caption=\"usage rights secured via dreamstime.com\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-5571\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"487\" height=\"199\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n<h2>The Ongoing Identity Theft of Jesus</h2>\r\nThe divinity of Jesus has been questioned for thousands of years.\r\n\r\nIt\'s not surprising that one of the first recorded instances of this divine doubt occurred before Jesus officially started his ministry. According to the gospel of Matthew, Jesus was fasting in the desert for 40 days when the devil approached him in the wasteland - questioning the Lord\'s deistic attributes.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Appetite</h3>\r\nWe read in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A3-4&amp;version=NKJV\">Matthew 4:3-4</a> that the tempter questioned that if Jesus was indeed the Son of God, then Jesus would be able to turn nearby rock piles warmed by the desert sun into piles of warm bread. Jesus parried with the classic, \"...<em>man shall not live by bread alone...</em>\" verbal retort despite the gnawing hunger in his human belly. This exchange points as proof that both individuals knew that Jesus was both God and man, yet Jesus didn\'t have to prove that point to anybody.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Prophecy</h3>\r\nSubsequently the devil quoted scripture to Jesus, as seen in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A5-7&amp;version=NIV\">Matthew 4:5-7</a>, where the adversary asserted that Jesus could fling himself from the cliff and the \"<em>...angels would bear him up...</em>\" in a seeming appeal for Jesus to fulfill prophecy written centuries before that the Messiah would have to die. Jesus didn\'t fall for it - figuratively nor literally. The scriptures state that Jesus was closely attuned to the will and timing of God, and that his time of death had not yet come - further solidifying his deity identity.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Compassion</h3>\r\nThe chapter goes on to state in <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Matthew+4.8-11/\">Matthew 4:8-11</a> that the devil changed tactics and tried to appeal to Christ\'s love of humanity by offering him the world which had been subjected to demonic control since \"The Fall\" in Eden, in exchange for Jesus falling to his knees to worship the first fallen angel.\r\n\r\nHad Jesus agreed to this quick-fix alternative to salvation - and he could have - the earth might have been redeemed but not the way that God had wanted. Jesus understood that fact because of his celestial connection to the Father.\r\n\r\nOne stern rebuke from Jesus and the devil left.  While Jesus\' divinity was challenged it was not diminished in any way.\r\n\r\nHowever, had Jesus yielded to any of those temptation attempts it would have resulted in the most epic identity theft in the history of the universe because the devil would have ascended above the Most High.\r\n\r\nAgain Jesus\' divine identity prevented that theft from happening.\r\n<h3>Other Divine Identity Theft Attempts</h3>\r\nThroughout the remainder of Jesus\' recorded life, the scriptures state that his heavenly sonship continued to be questioned. Perhaps most notable are several examples at the time of his crucifixion:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Roman guards beat and mocked Jesus demanding a display of his power - <a href=\"http://bible.cc/luke/22-64.htm\">Luke 22:64</a> and <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A36-38&amp;version=AMP\">Luke 23:36-38</a></li>\r\n	<li>The magistrate Herod similarly demanded a sign or miracle - <a href=\"http://www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?q=Luke%2023:8-11\">Luke 23: 8-11</a></li>\r\n	<li>One of the thieves crucified along side of Jesus also demanded a sign and power display - <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Luke+23.39-43/\">Luke 23:39-43</a></li>\r\n	<li>As well as local leaders who stood and watched Jesus die, while mocking his divinity claim - <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A33-35&amp;version=NIV\">Luke 33:35</a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h3>Restraint Was Jesus\' Greatest Miracle</h3>\r\nOne of the most interesting yet overlooked aspects of Jesus\' identity was that he never felt compelled to prove himself to anybody. Throughout all of scripture, Jesus wasn\'t moved to perform miracles by violence, coerscion or even threat of death. He was however moved by compassion, faith and recognition that he was who he said he was.\r\n\r\nAccording to the bible, those who recognized his true identity as the son of God were the only ones who received his miracles and blessings.\r\n\r\nEven while hanging on the cross, amidst the sneering jeers to save himself and thereby prove his divintiy to the people, Jesus knew that if he came down off that tree his true identity as a sinless sacrifice and sole path for redemption would have been abdicated and his divine mission forfeited.\r\n\r\nJesus was the only one who knew that, and his restraint to maintain that identity ultimately reconciled us back to the Father.\r\n<h3>Hijacking Jesus\' Identity Today</h3>\r\nFast forward 2,000 years to the current era where we routinely, albeit unwittingly perhaps, try to strip Jesus of his divinity today.\r\n\r\nWe do that when believers and non-believers alike give God an ultimatum that we will <em><strong>only</strong></em> believe in him if he acts or intervenes on our behalf for healing, finances, peace, relational restoration or any other legitimate need.\r\n\r\nBut when we make such demands, how are we any different than those we\'ve looked at who goaded God to act - such as the robber, Herod, the centurions or even Satan himself?\r\n\r\nWe aren\'t.\r\n\r\nHopefully we can identify with that failing and find grace waiting in the arms of a loving savior who can identify with every aspect of our frailties.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Hijacking Jesus\' Identity','','inherit','open','open','','5552-revision-47','','','2012-03-22 18:31:14','2012-03-23 01:31:14','',5552,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/22/5552-revision-47/',0,'revision','',0),(5606,153,'2012-03-22 18:35:46','2012-03-23 01:35:46','[caption id=\"attachment_5571\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"487\" caption=\"usage rights secured via dreamstime.com\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-5571\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"487\" height=\"199\" /></a>[/caption]\n<h2>The Ongoing Identity Theft of Jesus</h2>\nThe divinity of Jesus has been questioned for thousands of years.\n\nIt\'s not surprising that one of the first recorded instances of this divine doubt occurred before Jesus officially started his ministry. According to the gospel of Matthew, Jesus was fasting in the desert for 40 days when the devil approached him in the wasteland - questioning the Lord\'s deistic attributes.\n<h3>Appealing to Appetite</h3>\nWe read in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A3-4&amp;version=NKJV\">Matthew 4:3-4</a> that the tempter questioned that if Jesus was indeed the Son of God, then Jesus would be able to turn nearby rock piles warmed by the desert sun into piles of warm bread. Jesus parried with the classic, \"...<em>man shall not live by bread alone...</em>\" verbal retort despite the gnawing hunger in his human belly. This exchange points as proof that both individuals knew that Jesus was both God and man, yet Jesus didn\'t have to prove that point to anybody.\n<h3>Appealing to Prophecy</h3>\nSubsequently the devil quoted scripture to Jesus, as seen in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A5-7&amp;version=NIV\">Matthew 4:5-7</a>, where the adversary asserted that Jesus could fling himself from the cliff and the \"<em>...angels would bear him up...</em>\" in a seeming appeal for Jesus to fulfill prophecy written centuries before that the Messiah would have to die. Jesus didn\'t fall for it - figuratively nor literally. The scriptures state that Jesus was closely attuned to the will and timing of God, and that his time of death had not yet come - further solidifying his deity identity.\n<h3>Appealing to Compassion</h3>\nThe chapter goes on to state in <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Matthew+4.8-11/\">Matthew 4:8-11</a> that the devil changed tactics and tried to appeal to Christ\'s love of humanity by offering him the world which had been subjected to demonic control since \"The Fall\" in Eden, in exchange for Jesus falling to his knees to worship the first fallen angel.\n\nHad Jesus agreed to this quick-fix alternative to salvation - and he could have - the earth might have been redeemed but not the way that God had wanted. Jesus understood that fact because of his celestial connection to the Father.\n\nOne stern rebuke from Jesus and the devil left.  While Jesus\' divinity had been challenged it was not diminished in any way.\n\nHowever, had Jesus yielded to any of those temptation attempts it would have resulted in the most epic identity theft in the history of the universe because the devil would have ascended above the Most High.\n\nAgain Jesus\' divine identity prevented that theft from happening.\n<h3>Other Divine Identity Theft Attempts</h3>\nRegardless, throughout the remainder of Jesus\' recorded life the scriptures state that his heavenly sonship continued to be questioned. Perhaps most notable are several examples that occurred at the time of his crucifixion:\n<ul>\n	<li>Roman guards beat and mocked Jesus demanding a display of his power - <a href=\"http://bible.cc/luke/22-64.htm\">Luke 22:64</a> and <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A36-38&amp;version=AMP\">Luke 23:36-38</a></li>\n	<li>The magistrate Herod similarly demanded a sign or miracle - <a href=\"http://www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?q=Luke%2023:8-11\">Luke 23: 8-11</a></li>\n	<li>One of the thieves crucified along side of Jesus also demanded a sign and power display - <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Luke+23.39-43/\">Luke 23:39-43</a></li>\n	<li>As well as local leaders who stood and watched Jesus die, while mocking his divinity claim - <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A33-35&amp;version=NIV\">Luke 33:35</a></li>\n</ul>\n<h3>Restraint Was Jesus\' Greatest Miracle</h3>\nOne of the most interesting yet overlooked aspects of Jesus\' identity was that he never felt compelled to prove himself to anybody. Throughout all of scripture, Jesus wasn\'t moved to perform miracles by violence, coercion or even threat of death. He was however moved by compassion, faith and recognition that he was who he said he was.\n\nAccording to the bible, those who recognized his true identity as the son of God were the only ones who received his miracles and blessings.\n\nEven while hanging on the cross, amidst the sneering jeers to save himself and thereby prove his divinity to the people, Jesus knew that if he came down off that tree his true identity as a sinless sacrifice and sole path for redemption would have been abdicated and his divine mission forfeited.\n\nJesus was the only one who knew that, and his restraint to maintain that identity ultimately reconciled us back to the Father.\n<h3>Hijacking Jesus\' Identity Today</h3>\nFast forward 2,000 years to the current era where we routinely, albeit unwittingly perhaps, try to strip Jesus of his divinity today.\n\nWe do that when believers and non-believers alike give God an ultimatum that we will <em><strong>only</strong></em> believe in him if he acts or intervenes on our behalf for healing, finances, peace, relational restoration or any other legitimate need.\n\nBut when we make such demands, how are we any different from those we\'ve looked at who goaded God to act - such as the robber, Herod, the centurions or even Satan himself?\n\nWe aren\'t.\n\nHopefully we can identify with that failing and find grace waiting in the arms of a loving savior who can identify with every aspect of our frailties.\n\n&nbsp;','Hijacking Jesus\' Identity','','inherit','open','open','','5552-revision-49','','','2012-03-22 18:35:46','2012-03-23 01:35:46','',5552,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/22/5552-revision-49/',0,'revision','',0),(5607,153,'2012-03-22 18:37:08','2012-03-23 01:37:08','[caption id=\"attachment_5571\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"487\" caption=\"usage rights secured via dreamstime.com\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-5571\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"487\" height=\"199\" /></a>[/caption]\n<h2>The Ongoing Identity Theft of Jesus</h2>\nThe divinity of Jesus has been questioned for thousands of years.\n\nIt\'s not surprising that one of the first recorded instances of this divine doubt occurred before Jesus officially started his ministry. According to the gospel of Matthew, Jesus was fasting in the desert for 40 days when the devil approached him in the wasteland - questioning the Lord\'s deistic attributes.\n<h3>Appealing to Appetite</h3>\nWe read in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A3-4&amp;version=NKJV\">Matthew 4:3-4</a> that the tempter questioned that if Jesus was indeed the Son of God, then Jesus would be able to turn nearby rock piles warmed by the desert sun into piles of warm bread. Jesus parried with the classic, \"...<em>man shall not live by bread alone...</em>\" verbal retort despite the gnawing hunger in his human belly. This exchange points as proof that both individuals knew that Jesus was both God and man, yet Jesus didn\'t have to prove that point to anybody.\n<h3>Appealing to Prophecy</h3>\nSubsequently the devil quoted scripture to Jesus, as seen in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A5-7&amp;version=NIV\">Matthew 4:5-7</a>, where the adversary asserted that Jesus could fling himself from the cliff and the \"<em>...angels would bear him up...</em>\" in a seeming appeal for Jesus to fulfill prophecy written centuries before that the Messiah would have to die. Jesus didn\'t fall for it - figuratively nor literally. The scriptures state that Jesus was closely attuned to the will and timing of God, and that his time of death had not yet come - further solidifying his deity identity.\n<h3>Appealing to Compassion</h3>\nThe chapter goes on to state in <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Matthew+4.8-11/\">Matthew 4:8-11</a> that the devil changed tactics and tried to appeal to Christ\'s love of humanity by offering him the world which had been subjected to demonic control since \"The Fall\" in Eden, in exchange for Jesus falling to his knees to worship the first fallen angel.\n\nHad Jesus agreed to this quick-fix alternative to salvation - and he could have - the earth might have been redeemed but not the way that God had wanted. Jesus understood that fact because of his celestial connection to the Father.\n\nOne stern rebuke from Jesus and the devil left.  While Jesus\' divinity had been challenged it was not diminished in any way.\n\nHowever, had Jesus yielded to any of those temptation attempts it would have resulted in the most epic identity theft in the history of the universe because the devil would have ascended above the Most High.\n\nAgain Jesus\' divine identity prevented that theft from happening.\n<h3>Other Divine Identity Theft Attempts</h3>\nRegardless, throughout the remainder of Jesus\' recorded life the scriptures state that his heavenly sonship continued to be questioned. Perhaps most notable are several examples that occurred at the time of his crucifixion:\n<ul>\n	<li>Roman guards beat and mocked Jesus demanding a display of his power - <a href=\"http://bible.cc/luke/22-64.htm\">Luke 22:64</a> and <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A36-38&amp;version=AMP\">Luke 23:36-38</a></li>\n	<li>The magistrate Herod similarly demanded a sign or miracle - <a href=\"http://www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?q=Luke%2023:8-11\">Luke 23: 8-11</a></li>\n	<li>One of the thieves crucified along side of Jesus also demanded a sign and power display - <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Luke+23.39-43/\">Luke 23:39-43</a></li>\n	<li>As well as local leaders who stood and watched Jesus die, while mocking his divinity claim - <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A33-35&amp;version=NIV\">Luke 33:35</a></li>\n</ul>\n<h3>Restraint Was Jesus\' Greatest Miracle</h3>\nOne of the most interesting yet overlooked aspects of Jesus\' identity was that he never felt compelled to prove himself to anybody. Throughout all of scripture, Jesus wasn\'t moved to perform miracles by violence, coercion or even threat of death. He was however moved by compassion, faith and recognition that he was who he said he was.\n\nAccording to the bible, those who recognized his true identity as the son of God were the only ones who received his miracles and blessings.\n\nEven while hanging on the cross, amidst the sneering jeers to save himself and thereby prove his divinity to the people, Jesus knew that if he came down off that tree his true identity as a sinless sacrifice and sole path for redemption would have been abdicated and his divine mission forfeited.\n\nJesus was the only one who knew that, and his restraint to maintain that identity ultimately reconciled us back to the Father.\n<h3>Hijacking Jesus\' Identity Today</h3>\nFast forward 2,000 years to the current era where we routinely, albeit unwittingly perhaps, try to strip Jesus of his divinity today.\n\nWe do that when believers and non-believers alike give God an ultimatum that we will <em><strong>only</strong></em> believe in him if he acts or intervenes on our behalf for healing, finances, peace, relational restoration or any other legitimate need within our time line.\n\nBut when we make such demands, how are we any different from those discussed earlier who goaded God to act - such as the robber, Herod, the centurions or even Satan himself?\n\nWe aren\'t.\n\nHopefully we can identify with that failing and find grace waiting in the arms of a loving savior who can identify with every aspect of our frailties.\n\n&nbsp;','Hijacking Jesus\' Identity','','inherit','open','open','','5552-revision-50','','','2012-03-22 18:37:08','2012-03-23 01:37:08','',5552,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/22/5552-revision-50/',0,'revision','',0),(5608,153,'2012-03-22 18:37:35','2012-03-23 01:37:35','[caption id=\"attachment_5571\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"487\" caption=\"usage rights secured via dreamstime.com\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-5571\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"487\" height=\"199\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n<h2>The Ongoing Identity Theft of Jesus</h2>\r\nThe divinity of Jesus has been questioned for thousands of years.\r\n\r\nIt\'s not surprising that one of the first recorded instances of this divine doubt occurred before Jesus officially started his ministry. According to the gospel of Matthew, Jesus was fasting in the desert for 40 days when the devil approached him in the wasteland - questioning the Lord\'s deistic attributes.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Appetite</h3>\r\nWe read in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A3-4&amp;version=NKJV\">Matthew 4:3-4</a> that the tempter questioned that if Jesus was indeed the Son of God, then Jesus would be able to turn nearby rock piles warmed by the desert sun into piles of warm bread. Jesus parried with the classic, \"...<em>man shall not live by bread alone...</em>\" verbal retort despite the gnawing hunger in his human belly. This exchange points as proof that both individuals knew that Jesus was both God and man, yet Jesus didn\'t have to prove that point to anybody.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Prophecy</h3>\r\nSubsequently the devil quoted scripture to Jesus, as seen in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A5-7&amp;version=NIV\">Matthew 4:5-7</a>, where the adversary asserted that Jesus could fling himself from the cliff and the \"<em>...angels would bear him up...</em>\" in a seeming appeal for Jesus to fulfill prophecy written centuries before that the Messiah would have to die. Jesus didn\'t fall for it - figuratively nor literally. The scriptures state that Jesus was closely attuned to the will and timing of God, and that his time of death had not yet come - further solidifying his deity identity.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Compassion</h3>\r\nThe chapter goes on to state in <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Matthew+4.8-11/\">Matthew 4:8-11</a> that the devil changed tactics and tried to appeal to Christ\'s love of humanity by offering him the world which had been subjected to demonic control since \"The Fall\" in Eden, in exchange for Jesus falling to his knees to worship the first fallen angel.\r\n\r\nHad Jesus agreed to this quick-fix alternative to salvation - and he could have - the earth might have been redeemed but not the way that God had wanted. Jesus understood that fact because of his celestial connection to the Father.\r\n\r\nOne stern rebuke from Jesus and the devil left.  While Jesus\' divinity had been challenged it was not diminished in any way.\r\n\r\nHowever, had Jesus yielded to any of those temptation attempts it would have resulted in the most epic identity theft in the history of the universe because the devil would have ascended above the Most High.\r\n\r\nAgain Jesus\' divine identity prevented that theft from happening.\r\n<h3>Other Divine Identity Theft Attempts</h3>\r\nRegardless, throughout the remainder of Jesus\' recorded life the scriptures state that his heavenly sonship continued to be questioned. Perhaps most notable are several examples that occurred at the time of his crucifixion:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Roman guards beat and mocked Jesus demanding a display of his power - <a href=\"http://bible.cc/luke/22-64.htm\">Luke 22:64</a> and <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A36-38&amp;version=AMP\">Luke 23:36-38</a></li>\r\n	<li>The magistrate Herod similarly demanded a sign or miracle - <a href=\"http://www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?q=Luke%2023:8-11\">Luke 23: 8-11</a></li>\r\n	<li>One of the thieves crucified along side of Jesus also demanded a sign and power display - <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Luke+23.39-43/\">Luke 23:39-43</a></li>\r\n	<li>As well as local leaders who stood and watched Jesus die, while mocking his divinity claim - <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A33-35&amp;version=NIV\">Luke 33:35</a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h3>Restraint Was Jesus\' Greatest Miracle</h3>\r\nOne of the most interesting yet overlooked aspects of Jesus\' identity was that he never felt compelled to prove himself to anybody. Throughout all of scripture, Jesus wasn\'t moved to perform miracles by violence, coercion or even threat of death. He was however moved by compassion, faith and recognition that he was who he said he was.\r\n\r\nAccording to the bible, those who recognized his true identity as the son of God were the only ones who received his miracles and blessings.\r\n\r\nEven while hanging on the cross, amidst the sneering jeers to save himself and thereby prove his divinity to the people, Jesus knew that if he came down off that tree his true identity as a sinless sacrifice and sole path for redemption would have been abdicated and his divine mission forfeited.\r\n\r\nJesus was the only one who knew that, and his restraint to maintain that identity ultimately reconciled us back to the Father.\r\n<h3>Hijacking Jesus\' Identity Today</h3>\r\nFast forward 2,000 years to the current era where we routinely, albeit unwittingly perhaps, try to strip Jesus of his divinity today.\r\n\r\nWe do that when believers and non-believers alike give God an ultimatum that we will <em><strong>only</strong></em> believe in him if he acts or intervenes on our behalf for healing, finances, peace, relational restoration or any other legitimate need within our time line.\r\n\r\nBut when we make such demands, how are we any different from those discussed earlier who goaded God to act - such as the robber, Herod, the centurions or even Satan himself?\r\n\r\nWe aren\'t.\r\n\r\nHopefully we can identify with that failing and find grace waiting in the arms of a loving savior who can identify with every aspect of our frailties.','Hijacking Jesus\' Identity','','inherit','open','open','','5552-revision-51','','','2012-03-22 18:37:35','2012-03-23 01:37:35','',5552,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/22/5552-revision-51/',0,'revision','',0),(5609,153,'2012-03-22 18:53:05','2012-03-23 01:53:05','[caption id=\"attachment_5571\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"487\" caption=\"usage rights secured via dreamstime.com\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-5571\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"487\" height=\"199\" /></a>[/caption]\n<h2>The Ongoing Identity Theft of Jesus</h2>\nThe divinity of Jesus has been questioned for thousands of years.\n\nIt\'s not surprising that one of the first recorded instances of this divine doubt occurred before Jesus officially started his ministry. According to the gospel of Matthew, Jesus was fasting in the desert for 40 days when the devil approached him in the wasteland - questioning the Lord\'s deistic attributes.\n<h3>Appealing to Appetite</h3>\nWe read in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A3-4&amp;version=NKJV\">Matthew 4:3-4</a> that the tempter questioned that if Jesus was indeed the Son of God, then Jesus would be able to turn nearby rock piles warmed by the desert sun into piles of warm bread. Jesus parried with the classic, \"...<em>man shall not live by bread alone...</em>\" verbal retort despite the gnawing hunger in his human belly. This exchange points as proof that both individuals knew that Jesus was both God and man, yet Jesus didn\'t have to prove that point to anybody.\n<h3>Appealing to Prophecy</h3>\nSubsequently the devil quoted scripture to Jesus, as seen in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A5-7&amp;version=NIV\">Matthew 4:5-7</a>, where the adversary asserted that Jesus could fling himself from the cliff and the \"<em>...angels would bear him up...</em>\" in a seeming appeal for Jesus to fulfill prophecy written centuries before that the Messiah would have to die. Jesus didn\'t fall for it - figuratively nor literally. The scriptures state that Jesus was closely attuned to the will and timing of God, and that his time of death had not yet come - further solidifying his deity identity.\n<h3>Appealing to Compassion</h3>\nThe chapter goes on to state in <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Matthew+4.8-11/\">Matthew 4:8-11</a> that the devil changed tactics and tried to appeal to Christ\'s love of humanity by offering him the world which had been subjected to demonic control since \"The Fall\" in Eden, in exchange for Jesus falling to his knees to worship the first fallen angel.\n\nHad Jesus agreed to this quick-fix alternative to salvation - and he could have - the earth might have been redeemed but not the way that God had wanted. Jesus understood that fact because of his celestial connection to the Father.\n\nOne stern rebuke from Jesus and the devil left.  While Jesus\' divinity had been challenged it was not diminished in any way.\n\nHowever, had Jesus yielded to any of those temptation attempts it would have resulted in the most epic identity theft in the history of the universe because the devil would have ascended above the Most High.\n\nAgain Jesus\' divine identity prevented that theft from happening.\n<h3>Other Divine Identity Theft Attempts</h3>\nRegardless, throughout the remainder of Jesus\' recorded life the scriptures state that his heavenly sonship continued to be questioned. Perhaps most notable are several examples that occurred at the time of his crucifixion:\n<ul>\n	<li>Roman guards beat and mocked Jesus demanding a display of his power - <a href=\"http://bible.cc/luke/22-64.htm\">Luke 22:64</a> and <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A36-38&amp;version=AMP\">Luke 23:36-38</a></li>\n	<li>The magistrate Herod similarly demanded a sign or miracle - <a href=\"http://www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?q=Luke%2023:8-11\">Luke 23: 8-11</a></li>\n	<li>One of the thieves crucified along side of Jesus also demanded a sign and power display - <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Luke+23.39-43/\">Luke 23:39-43</a></li>\n	<li>As well as local leaders who stood and watched Jesus die, while mocking his divinity claim - <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A33-35&amp;version=NIV\">Luke 33:35</a></li>\n</ul>\n<h3>Restraint Was Jesus\' Greatest Miracle</h3>\nOne of the most interesting yet overlooked aspects of Jesus\' identity was that he never felt compelled to prove himself to anybody.\n\nHe knew who he was.\n\nThroughout all of scripture, Jesus wasn\'t moved to perform miracles by violence, coercion or even threat of death. He did however move in the miraculous when he was moved by compassion, faith and the simple realization by the needy that he was indeed, who he said he was.\n\nAccording to the bible, those who recognized his true identity as the son of God were the only ones who received his miracles and blessings.\n\nEven while hanging on the cross, amidst the sneering jeers to save himself and thereby prove his divinity to the people, Jesus knew that if he came down off that tree his true identity as a sinless sacrifice and sole path for redemption would have been abdicated and his divine mission forfeited.\n\nJesus was the only one who knew that, and his restraint to maintain that identity ultimately reconciled us back to the Father.\n<h3>Hijacking Jesus\' Identity Today</h3>\nFast forward 2,000 years to the current era where we routinely, albeit unwittingly perhaps, try to strip Jesus of his divinity today.\n\nWe do that when believers and non-believers alike give God an ultimatum that we will <em><strong>only</strong></em> believe in him if he acts or intervenes on our behalf for healing, finances, peace, relational restoration or any other legitimate need within our time line.\n\nBut when we make such demands, how are we any different from those discussed earlier who goaded God to act - such as the robber, Herod, the centurions or even Satan himself?\n\nWe aren\'t.\n\nHopefully we can identify with that failing and find grace waiting in the arms of a loving savior who can identify with every aspect of our frailties.','Hijacking Jesus\' Identity','','inherit','open','open','','5552-revision-52','','','2012-03-22 18:53:05','2012-03-23 01:53:05','',5552,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/22/5552-revision-52/',0,'revision','',0),(5612,153,'2012-03-23 04:52:49','2012-03-23 11:52:49','[caption id=\"attachment_5571\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"487\" caption=\"usage rights secured via dreamstime.com\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-5571\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"487\" height=\"199\" /></a>[/caption]\n<h2>The Ongoing Identity Theft of Jesus</h2>\nThe divinity of Jesus has been questioned for thousands of years.\n\nIt\'s not surprising that one of the first recorded instances of this divine doubt occurred before Jesus officially started his ministry. According to the gospel of Matthew, Jesus was fasting in the desert for 40 days when the devil approached him in the wasteland - questioning the Lord\'s deistic attributes.\n<h3>Appealing to Appetite</h3>\nWe read in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A3-4&amp;version=NKJV\">Matthew 4:3-4</a> that the tempter questioned that if Jesus was indeed the Son of God, then Jesus would be able to turn nearby rock piles warmed by the desert sun into piles of warm bread. Jesus parried with the classic, \"...<em>man shall not live by bread alone...</em>\" verbal retort despite the gnawing hunger in his human belly. This exchange points as proof that both individuals knew that Jesus was both God and man, yet Jesus didn\'t have to prove that point to anybody.\n<h3>Appealing to Prophecy</h3>\nSubsequently the devil quoted scripture to Jesus, as seen in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A5-7&amp;version=NIV\">Matthew 4:5-7</a>, where the adversary asserted that Jesus could fling himself from the cliff and the \"<em>...angels would bear him up...</em>\" in a seeming appeal for Jesus to fulfill prophecy written centuries before that the Messiah would have to die. Jesus didn\'t fall for it - figuratively nor literally. The scriptures state that Jesus was closely attuned to the will and timing of God, and that his time of death had not yet come - further solidifying his deity identity.\n<h3>Appealing to Compassion</h3>\nThe chapter goes on to state in <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Matthew+4.8-11/\">Matthew 4:8-11</a> that the devil changed tactics and tried to appeal to Christ\'s love of humanity by offering him the world which had been subjected to demonic control since \"The Fall\" in Eden, in exchange for Jesus falling to his knees to worship the first fallen angel.\n\nHad Jesus agreed to this quick-fix alternative to salvation - and he could have - the earth might have been redeemed but not the way that God had wanted. Jesus understood that fact because of his celestial connection to the Father.\n\nOne stern rebuke from Jesus and the devil left.  While Jesus\' divinity had been challenged it was not diminished in any way.\n\nHowever, had Jesus yielded to any of those temptation attempts it would have resulted in the most epic identity theft in the history of the universe because the devil would have ascended above the Most High.\n\nAgain Jesus\' divine identity prevented that theft from happening.\n<h3>Other Divine Identity Theft Attempts</h3>\nRegardless, throughout the remainder of Jesus\' recorded life the scriptures state that his heavenly sonship continued to be questioned. Perhaps most notable are several examples that occurred at the time of his crucifixion:\n<ul>\n	<li>Roman guards beat and mocked Jesus demanding a display of his power - <a href=\"http://bible.cc/luke/22-64.htm\">Luke 22:64</a> and <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A36-38&amp;version=AMP\">Luke 23:36-38</a></li>\n	<li>The magistrate Herod similarly demanded a sign or miracle - <a href=\"http://www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?q=Luke%2023:8-11\">Luke 23: 8-11</a></li>\n	<li>One of the thieves crucified along side of Jesus also demanded a sign and power display - <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Luke+23.39-43/\">Luke 23:39-43</a></li>\n	<li>As well as local leaders who stood and watched Jesus die, while mocking his divinity claim - <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A33-35&amp;version=NIV\">Luke 33:35</a></li>\n</ul>\n<h3>Restraint Was Jesus\' Greatest Miracle</h3>\nOne of the most interesting yet overlooked aspects of Jesus\' identity was that he never felt compelled to prove himself to anybody.\n\nHe knew who he was.\n\nThroughout all of scripture, Jesus wasn\'t moved to perform miracles by violence, coercion or even threat of death. He did however move in the miraculous when he was moved by compassion, faith and the simple realization by the needy that he was indeed, who he said he was.\n\nAccording to the bible, those who recognized his true identity as the son of God were the only ones who received his miracles and blessings.\n\nEven while hanging on the cross, amidst the sneering jeers to save himself and thereby prove his divinity to the people, Jesus knew that if he came down off that tree his true identity as a sinless sacrifice and sole path for redemption would have been abdicated and his divine mission forfeited.\n\nJesus was the only one who knew that, and his restraint to maintain that identity ultimately reconciled us back to the Father.\n<h3>Hijacking Jesus\' Identity Today</h3>\nFast forward 2,000 years to the current era where we routinely, albeit unwittingly perhaps, try to strip Jesus of his divinity today.\n\nWe do that when believers and non-believers alike give God an ultimatum that we will <em><strong>only</strong></em> believe in him if he acts or intervenes on our behalf for healing, finances, peace, relational restoration or any other legitimate need within our time line.\n\nBut when we make such demands, how are we any different from those discussed earlier who goaded God to act - such as the robber, Herod, the centurions or even Satan himself?\n\nWe aren\'t.\n\nHopefully we can identify with that failing and find grace waiting in the arms of a loving savior who can identify with every aspect of our frailties.','Hijacking Jesus\' Identity','','inherit','open','open','','5552-revision-53','','','2012-03-23 04:52:49','2012-03-23 11:52:49','',5552,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/23/5552-revision-53/',0,'revision','',0),(5613,153,'2012-03-23 08:02:10','2012-03-23 15:02:10','[caption id=\"attachment_5571\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"487\" caption=\"usage rights secured via dreamstime.com\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-5571\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"487\" height=\"199\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n<h2>The Ongoing Identity Theft of Jesus</h2>\r\nThe divinity of Jesus has been questioned for thousands of years.\r\n\r\nIt\'s not surprising that one of the first recorded instances of this divine doubt occurred before Jesus officially started his ministry. According to the gospel of Matthew, Jesus was fasting in the desert for 40 days when the devil approached him in the wasteland - questioning the Lord\'s deistic attributes.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Appetite</h3>\r\nWe read in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A3-4&amp;version=NKJV\">Matthew 4:3-4</a> that the tempter questioned that if Jesus was indeed the Son of God, then Jesus would be able to turn nearby rock piles warmed by the desert sun into piles of warm bread. Jesus parried with the classic, \"...<em>man shall not live by bread alone...</em>\" verbal retort despite the gnawing hunger in his human belly. This exchange points as proof that both individuals knew that Jesus was both God and man, yet Jesus didn\'t have to prove that point to anybody.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Prophecy</h3>\r\nSubsequently the devil quoted scripture to Jesus, as seen in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A5-7&amp;version=NIV\">Matthew 4:5-7</a>, where the adversary asserted that Jesus could fling himself from the cliff and the \"<em>...angels would bear him up...</em>\" in a seeming appeal for Jesus to fulfill prophecy written centuries before that the Messiah would have to die. Jesus didn\'t fall for it - figuratively nor literally. The scriptures state that Jesus was closely attuned to the will and timing of God, and that his time of death had not yet come - further solidifying his deity identity.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Compassion</h3>\r\nThe chapter goes on to state in <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Matthew+4.8-11/\">Matthew 4:8-11</a> that the devil changed tactics and tried to appeal to Christ\'s love of humanity by offering him the world which had been subjected to demonic control since \"The Fall\" in Eden, in exchange for Jesus falling to his knees to worship the first fallen angel.\r\n\r\nHad Jesus agreed to this quick-fix alternative to salvation - and he could have - the earth might have been redeemed but not the way that God had wanted. Jesus understood that fact because of his celestial connection to the Father.\r\n\r\nOne stern rebuke from Jesus and the devil left.  While Jesus\' divinity had been challenged it was not diminished in any way.\r\n\r\nHowever, had Jesus yielded to any of those temptation attempts it would have resulted in the most epic identity theft in the history of the universe because the devil would have ascended above the Most High.\r\n\r\nAgain Jesus\' divine identity prevented that theft from happening.\r\n<h3>Other Divine Identity Theft Attempts</h3>\r\nRegardless, throughout the remainder of Jesus\' recorded life the scriptures state that his heavenly sonship continued to be questioned. Perhaps most notable are several examples that occurred at the time of his crucifixion:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Roman guards beat and mocked Jesus demanding a display of his power - <a href=\"http://bible.cc/luke/22-64.htm\">Luke 22:64</a> and <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A36-38&amp;version=AMP\">Luke 23:36-38</a></li>\r\n	<li>The magistrate Herod similarly demanded a sign or miracle - <a href=\"http://www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?q=Luke%2023:8-11\">Luke 23: 8-11</a></li>\r\n	<li>One of the thieves crucified along side of Jesus also demanded a sign and power display - <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Luke+23.39-43/\">Luke 23:39-43</a></li>\r\n	<li>As well as local leaders who stood and watched Jesus die, while mocking his divinity claim - <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A33-35&amp;version=NIV\">Luke 33:35</a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h3>Restraint Was Jesus\' Greatest Miracle</h3>\r\nOne of the most interesting yet overlooked aspects of Jesus\' identity was that he never felt compelled to prove himself to anybody.\r\n\r\nHe knew who he was.\r\n\r\nThroughout all of scripture, Jesus wasn\'t moved to perform miracles by violence, coercion or even threat of death. He did however move in the miraculous when he was moved by compassion, faith and the simple realization by the needy that he was indeed, who he said he was.\r\n\r\nAccording to the bible, those who recognized his true identity as the son of God were the only ones who received his miracles and blessings.\r\n\r\nEven while hanging on the cross, amidst the sneering jeers to save himself and thereby prove his divinity to the people, Jesus knew that if he came down off that tree his true identity as a sinless sacrifice and sole path for redemption would have been abdicated and his divine mission forfeited.\r\n\r\nJesus was the only one who knew that, and his restraint to maintain that identity ultimately reconciled us back to the Father.\r\n<h3>Hijacking Jesus\' Identity Today</h3>\r\nFast forward 2,000 years to the current era where we routinely, albeit unwittingly perhaps, try to strip Jesus of his divinity today.\r\n\r\nWe do that when believers and non-believers alike give God an ultimatum that we will <em><strong>only</strong></em> believe in him if he acts or intervenes on our behalf for healing, finances, peace, relational restoration or any other legitimate need within our time line.\r\n\r\nBut when we make such demands, how are we any different from those discussed earlier who goaded God to act - such as the robber, Herod, the centurions or even Satan himself?\r\n\r\nWe aren\'t.\r\n\r\nHopefully we can identify with that failing and find grace waiting in the arms of a loving savior who can identify with every aspect of our frailties.','Hijacking Jesus\' Identity','','inherit','open','open','','5552-revision-54','','','2012-03-23 08:02:10','2012-03-23 15:02:10','',5552,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/23/5552-revision-54/',0,'revision','',0),(5614,153,'2012-03-23 08:04:41','2012-03-23 15:04:41','[caption id=\"attachment_5571\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"487\" caption=\"usage rights secured via dreamstime.com\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-5571\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"487\" height=\"199\" /></a>[/caption]\n<h2>The Ongoing Identity Theft of Jesus</h2>\nThe divinity of Jesus has been questioned for thousands of years.\n\nIt\'s not surprising that one of the first recorded instances of this divine doubt occurred before Jesus officially started his ministry. According to the gospel of Matthew, Jesus was fasting in the desert for 40 days when the devil approached him in the wasteland - questioning the Lord\'s deistic attributes.\n<h3>Appealing to Appetite</h3>\nWe read in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A3-4&amp;version=NKJV\">Matthew 4:3-4</a> that the tempter questioned that if Jesus was indeed the Son of God, then Jesus would be able to turn nearby rock piles warmed by the desert sun into piles of warm bread. Jesus parried with the classic, \"...<em>man shall not live by bread alone...</em>\" verbal retort despite the gnawing hunger in his human belly. This exchange points as proof that both individuals knew that Jesus was both God and man, yet Jesus wasn\'t compelled to prove that point to anybody.\n<h3>Appealing to Prophecy</h3>\nSubsequently the devil quoted scripture to Jesus, as seen in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A5-7&amp;version=NIV\">Matthew 4:5-7</a>, where the adversary asserted that Jesus could fling himself from the cliff and the \"<em>...angels would bear him up...</em>\" in a seeming appeal for Jesus to fulfill prophecy written centuries before that the Messiah would have to die. Jesus didn\'t fall for it - figuratively nor literally. The scriptures state that Jesus was closely attuned to the will and timing of God, and that his time of death had not yet come - further solidifying his deity identity.\n<h3>Appealing to Compassion</h3>\nThe chapter goes on to state in <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Matthew+4.8-11/\">Matthew 4:8-11</a> that the devil changed tactics and tried to appeal to Christ\'s love of humanity by offering him the world which had been subjected to demonic control since \"The Fall\" in Eden, in exchange for Jesus falling to his knees to worship the first fallen angel.\n\nHad Jesus agreed to this quick-fix alternative to salvation - and he could have - the earth might have been redeemed but not the way that God had wanted. Jesus understood that fact because of his celestial connection to the Father.\n\nOne stern rebuke from Jesus and the devil left.  While Jesus\' divinity had been challenged it was not diminished in any way.\n\nHowever, had Jesus yielded to any of those temptation attempts it would have resulted in the most epic identity theft in the history of the universe because the devil would have ascended above the Most High.\n\nAgain Jesus\' divine identity prevented that theft from happening.\n<h3>Other Divine Identity Theft Attempts</h3>\nRegardless, throughout the remainder of Jesus\' recorded life the scriptures state that his heavenly sonship continued to be questioned. Perhaps most notable are several examples that occurred at the time of his crucifixion:\n<ul>\n	<li>Roman guards beat and mocked Jesus demanding a display of his power - <a href=\"http://bible.cc/luke/22-64.htm\">Luke 22:64</a> and <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A36-38&amp;version=AMP\">Luke 23:36-38</a></li>\n	<li>The magistrate Herod similarly demanded a sign or miracle - <a href=\"http://www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?q=Luke%2023:8-11\">Luke 23: 8-11</a></li>\n	<li>One of the thieves crucified along side of Jesus also demanded a sign and power display - <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Luke+23.39-43/\">Luke 23:39-43</a></li>\n	<li>As well as local leaders who stood and watched Jesus die, while mocking his divinity claim - <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A33-35&amp;version=NIV\">Luke 33:35</a></li>\n</ul>\n<h3>Restraint Was Jesus\' Greatest Miracle</h3>\nOne of the most interesting yet overlooked aspects of Jesus\' identity was that he never felt compelled to prove himself to anybody.\n\nHe knew who he was.\n\nThroughout all of scripture, Jesus wasn\'t moved to perform miracles by violence, coercion or even threat of death. He did however move in the miraculous when he was moved by compassion, faith and the simple realization by the needy that he was indeed, who he said he was.\n\nAccording to the bible, those who recognized his true identity as the son of God were the only ones who received his miracles and blessings.\n\nEven while hanging on the cross, amidst the sneering jeers to save himself and thereby prove his divinity to the people, Jesus knew that if he came down off that tree his true identity as a sinless sacrifice and sole path for redemption would have been abdicated and his divine mission forfeited.\n\nJesus was the only one who knew that, and his restraint to maintain that identity ultimately reconciled us back to the Father.\n<h3>Hijacking Jesus\' Identity Today</h3>\nFast forward 2,000 years to the current era where we routinely, albeit unwittingly perhaps, try to strip Jesus of his divinity today.\n\nWe do that when believers and non-believers alike give God an ultimatum that we will <em><strong>only</strong></em> believe in him if he acts or intervenes on our behalf for healing, finances, peace, relational restoration or any other legitimate need within our time line.\n\nBut when we make such demands, how are we any different from those discussed earlier who goaded God to act - such as the robber, Herod, the centurions or even Satan himself?\n\nWe aren\'t.\n\nHopefully we can identify with that failing and find grace waiting in the arms of a loving savior who can identify with every aspect of our frailties.','Hijacking Jesus\' Identity','','inherit','open','open','','5552-revision-55','','','2012-03-23 08:04:41','2012-03-23 15:04:41','',5552,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/23/5552-revision-55/',0,'revision','',0),(5615,153,'2012-03-23 08:07:03','2012-03-23 15:07:03','[caption id=\"attachment_5571\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"487\" caption=\"usage rights secured via dreamstime.com\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-5571\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"487\" height=\"199\" /></a>[/caption]\n<h2>The Ongoing Identity Theft of Jesus</h2>\nThe divinity of Jesus has been questioned for thousands of years.\n\nIt\'s not surprising that one of the first recorded instances of this divine doubt occurred before Jesus officially started his ministry. According to the gospel of Matthew, Jesus was fasting in the desert for 40 days when the devil approached him in the wasteland - questioning the Lord\'s deistic attributes.\n<h3>Appealing to Appetite</h3>\nWe read in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A3-4&amp;version=NKJV\">Matthew 4:3-4</a> that the tempter questioned that if Jesus was indeed the Son of God, then Jesus would be able to turn nearby rock piles warmed by the desert sun into piles of warm bread. Jesus parried with the classic, \"...<em>man shall not live by bread alone...</em>\" verbal retort despite the gnawing hunger in his human belly. This exchange points as proof that both individuals knew that Jesus was both God and man, yet Jesus wasn\'t compelled to prove that point to anybody.\n<h3>Appealing to Prophecy</h3>\nSubsequently the devil quoted scripture to Jesus, as seen in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A5-7&amp;version=NIV\">Matthew 4:5-7</a>, where the adversary asserted that Jesus could fling himself from the cliff and the \"<em>...angels would bear him up...</em>\" in a seeming appeal for Jesus to fulfill prophecy written centuries before that the Messiah would have to die. Jesus didn\'t fall for it - figuratively nor literally. The scriptures state that Jesus was closely attuned to the will and timing of God, and that his time of death had not yet come - further solidifying his deity identity.\n<h3>Appealing to Compassion</h3>\nThe chapter goes on to state in <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Matthew+4.8-11/\">Matthew 4:8-11</a> that the devil changed tactics and tried to appeal to Christ\'s love of humanity by offering him the world which had been subjected to demonic control since \"The Fall\" in Eden, in exchange for Jesus falling to his knees to worship the first fallen angel.\n\nHad Jesus agreed to this quick-fix alternative to salvation - and he could have - the earth might have been redeemed but not the way that God had wanted. Jesus understood that fact because of his celestial connection to the Father.\n\nOne stern rebuke from Jesus and the devil left.  While Jesus\' divine identity had been challenged it was not diminished in any way.\n\nHowever, had Jesus yielded to any of those temptation attempts it would have resulted in the most epic identity theft in the history of the universe because the devil would have ascended above the Most High.\n\nAgain Jesus\' divine identity prevented that theft from happening.\n<h3>Other Divine Identity Theft Attempts</h3>\nRegardless, throughout the remainder of Jesus\' recorded life the scriptures state that his heavenly sonship continued to be questioned. Perhaps most notable are several examples that occurred at the time of his crucifixion:\n<ul>\n	<li>Roman guards beat and mocked Jesus demanding a display of his power - <a href=\"http://bible.cc/luke/22-64.htm\">Luke 22:64</a> and <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A36-38&amp;version=AMP\">Luke 23:36-38</a></li>\n	<li>The magistrate Herod similarly demanded a sign or miracle - <a href=\"http://www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?q=Luke%2023:8-11\">Luke 23: 8-11</a></li>\n	<li>One of the thieves crucified along side of Jesus also demanded a sign and power display - <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Luke+23.39-43/\">Luke 23:39-43</a></li>\n	<li>As well as local leaders who stood and watched Jesus die, while mocking his divinity claim - <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A33-35&amp;version=NIV\">Luke 33:35</a></li>\n</ul>\n<h3>Restraint Was Jesus\' Greatest Miracle</h3>\nOne of the most interesting yet overlooked aspects of Jesus\' identity was that he never felt compelled to prove himself to anybody.\n\nHe knew who he was.\n\nThroughout all of scripture, Jesus wasn\'t moved to perform miracles by violence, coercion or even threat of death. He did however move in the miraculous when he was moved by compassion, faith and the simple realization by the needy that he was indeed, who he said he was.\n\nAccording to the bible, those who recognized his true identity as the son of God were the only ones who received his miracles and blessings.\n\nEven while hanging on the cross, amidst the sneering jeers to save himself and thereby prove his divinity to the people, Jesus knew that if he came down off that tree his true identity as a sinless sacrifice and sole path for redemption would have been abdicated and his divine mission forfeited.\n\nJesus was the only one who knew that, and his restraint to maintain that identity ultimately reconciled us back to the Father.\n<h3>Hijacking Jesus\' Identity Today</h3>\nFast forward 2,000 years to the current era where we routinely, albeit unwittingly perhaps, try to strip Jesus of his divinity today.\n\nWe do that when believers and non-believers alike give God an ultimatum that we will <em><strong>only</strong></em> believe in him if he acts or intervenes on our behalf for healing, finances, peace, relational restoration or any other legitimate need within our time line.\n\nBut when we make such demands, how are we any different from those discussed earlier who goaded God to act - such as the robber, Herod, the centurions or even Satan himself?\n\nWe aren\'t.\n\nHopefully we can identify with that failing and find grace waiting in the arms of a loving savior who can identify with every aspect of our frailties.','Hijacking Jesus\' Identity','','inherit','open','open','','5552-revision-56','','','2012-03-23 08:07:03','2012-03-23 15:07:03','',5552,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/23/5552-revision-56/',0,'revision','',0),(5616,153,'2012-03-23 08:08:55','2012-03-23 15:08:55','[caption id=\"attachment_5571\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"487\" caption=\"usage rights secured via dreamstime.com\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-5571\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"487\" height=\"199\" /></a>[/caption]\n<h2>The Ongoing Identity Theft of Jesus</h2>\nThe divinity of Jesus has been questioned for thousands of years.\n\nIt\'s not surprising that one of the first recorded instances of this divine doubt occurred before Jesus officially started his ministry. According to the gospel of Matthew, Jesus was fasting in the desert for 40 days when the devil approached him in the wasteland - questioning the Lord\'s deistic attributes.\n<h3>Appealing to Appetite</h3>\nWe read in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A3-4&amp;version=NKJV\">Matthew 4:3-4</a> that the tempter questioned that if Jesus was indeed the Son of God, then Jesus would be able to turn nearby rock piles warmed by the desert sun into piles of warm bread. Jesus parried with the classic, \"...<em>man shall not live by bread alone...</em>\" verbal retort despite the gnawing hunger in his human belly. This exchange points as proof that both individuals knew that Jesus was both God and man, yet Jesus wasn\'t compelled to prove that point to anybody.\n<h3>Appealing to Prophecy</h3>\nSubsequently the devil quoted scripture to Jesus, as seen in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A5-7&amp;version=NIV\">Matthew 4:5-7</a>, where the adversary asserted that Jesus could fling himself from the cliff and the \"<em>...angels would bear him up...</em>\" in a seeming appeal for Jesus to fulfill prophecy written centuries before that the Messiah would have to die. Jesus didn\'t fall for it - figuratively nor literally. The scriptures state that Jesus was closely attuned to the will and timing of God, and that his time of death had not yet come - further solidifying his deity identity.\n<h3>Appealing to Compassion</h3>\nThe chapter goes on to state in <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Matthew+4.8-11/\">Matthew 4:8-11</a> that the devil changed tactics and tried to appeal to Christ\'s love of humanity by offering him the world which had been subjected to demonic control since \"The Fall\" in Eden, in exchange for Jesus falling to his knees to worship the first fallen angel.\n\nHad Jesus agreed to this quick-fix alternative to salvation - and he could have - the earth might have been redeemed but not the way that God had wanted. Jesus understood that fact because of his celestial connection to the Father.\n\nOne stern rebuke from Jesus and the devil left.  While Jesus\' divine identity had been challenged it was not diminished in any way.\n\nHowever, had Jesus yielded to any of those temptation attempts it would have resulted in the most epic identity theft in the history of the universe because the devil would have ascended above the Most High.\n\nAgain, the fact that Jesus knew who he was prevented that theft from happening.\n<h3>Other Divine Identity Theft Attempts</h3>\nRegardless, throughout the remainder of Jesus\' recorded life the scriptures state that his heavenly sonship continued to be questioned. Perhaps most notable are several examples that occurred at the time of his crucifixion:\n<ul>\n	<li>Roman guards beat and mocked Jesus demanding a display of his power - <a href=\"http://bible.cc/luke/22-64.htm\">Luke 22:64</a> and <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A36-38&amp;version=AMP\">Luke 23:36-38</a></li>\n	<li>The magistrate Herod similarly demanded a sign or miracle - <a href=\"http://www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?q=Luke%2023:8-11\">Luke 23: 8-11</a></li>\n	<li>One of the thieves crucified along side of Jesus also demanded a sign and power display - <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Luke+23.39-43/\">Luke 23:39-43</a></li>\n	<li>As well as local leaders who stood and watched Jesus die, while mocking his divinity claim - <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A33-35&amp;version=NIV\">Luke 33:35</a></li>\n</ul>\n<h3>Restraint Was Jesus\' Greatest Miracle</h3>\nOne of the most interesting yet overlooked aspects of Jesus\' identity was that he never felt compelled to prove himself to anybody.\n\nHe knew who he was.\n\nThroughout all of scripture, Jesus wasn\'t moved to perform miracles by violence, coercion or even threat of death. He did however move in the miraculous when he was moved by compassion, faith and the simple realization by the needy that he was indeed, who he said he was.\n\nAccording to the bible, those who recognized his true identity as the son of God were the only ones who received his miracles and blessings.\n\nEven while hanging on the cross, amidst the sneering jeers to save himself and thereby prove his divinity to the people, Jesus knew that if he came down off that tree his true identity as a sinless sacrifice and sole path for redemption would have been abdicated and his divine mission forfeited.\n\nJesus was the only one who knew that, and his restraint to maintain that identity ultimately reconciled us back to the Father.\n<h3>Hijacking Jesus\' Identity Today</h3>\nFast forward 2,000 years to the current era where we routinely, albeit unwittingly perhaps, try to strip Jesus of his divinity today.\n\nWe do that when believers and non-believers alike give God an ultimatum that we will <em><strong>only</strong></em> believe in him if he acts or intervenes on our behalf for healing, finances, peace, relational restoration or any other legitimate need within our time line.\n\nBut when we make such demands, how are we any different from those discussed earlier who goaded God to act - such as the robber, Herod, the centurions or even Satan himself?\n\nWe aren\'t.\n\nHopefully we can identify with that failing and find grace waiting in the arms of a loving savior who can identify with every aspect of our frailties.','Hijacking Jesus\' Identity','','inherit','open','open','','5552-revision-57','','','2012-03-23 08:08:55','2012-03-23 15:08:55','',5552,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/23/5552-revision-57/',0,'revision','',0),(5617,153,'2012-03-23 08:10:55','2012-03-23 15:10:55','[caption id=\"attachment_5571\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"487\" caption=\"usage rights secured via dreamstime.com\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-5571\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"487\" height=\"199\" /></a>[/caption]\n<h2>The Ongoing Identity Theft of Jesus</h2>\nThe divinity of Jesus has been questioned for thousands of years.\n\nIt\'s not surprising that one of the first recorded instances of this divine doubt occurred before Jesus officially started his ministry. According to the gospel of Matthew, Jesus was fasting in the desert for 40 days when the devil approached him in the wasteland - questioning the Lord\'s deistic attributes.\n<h3>Appealing to Appetite</h3>\nWe read in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A3-4&amp;version=NKJV\">Matthew 4:3-4</a> that the tempter questioned that if Jesus was indeed the Son of God, then Jesus would be able to turn nearby rock piles warmed by the desert sun into piles of warm bread. Jesus parried with the classic, \"...<em>man shall not live by bread alone...</em>\" verbal retort despite the gnawing hunger in his human belly. This exchange points as proof that both individuals knew that Jesus was both God and man, yet Jesus wasn\'t compelled to prove that point to anybody.\n<h3>Appealing to Prophecy</h3>\nSubsequently the devil quoted scripture to Jesus, as seen in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A5-7&amp;version=NIV\">Matthew 4:5-7</a>, where the adversary asserted that Jesus could fling himself from the cliff and the \"<em>...angels would bear him up...</em>\" in a seeming appeal for Jesus to fulfill prophecy written centuries before that the Messiah would have to die. Jesus didn\'t fall for it - figuratively nor literally. The scriptures state that Jesus was closely attuned to the will and timing of God, and that his time of death had not yet come - further solidifying his deity identity.\n<h3>Appealing to Compassion</h3>\nThe chapter goes on to state in <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Matthew+4.8-11/\">Matthew 4:8-11</a> that the devil changed tactics and tried to appeal to Christ\'s love of humanity by offering him the world which had been subjected to demonic control since \"The Fall\" in Eden, in exchange for Jesus falling to his knees to worship the first fallen angel.\n\nHad Jesus agreed to this quick-fix alternative to salvation - and he could have - the earth might have been redeemed but not the way that God had wanted. Jesus understood that fact because of his celestial connection to the Father.\n\nOne stern rebuke from Jesus and the devil left.  While Jesus\' divine identity had been challenged it was not diminished in any way.\n\nHowever, had Jesus yielded to any of those temptation attempts it would have resulted in the most epic identity theft in the history of the universe because the devil would have ascended above the Most High.\n\nAgain, the fact that Jesus knew who he was prevented that theft from happening.\n<h3>Other Divine Identity Theft Attempts</h3>\nRegardless, throughout the remainder of Jesus\' recorded life the scriptures state that his heavenly sonship continued to be questioned. Perhaps most notable are several examples that occurred at the time of his crucifixion:\n<ul>\n	<li>Roman guards beat and mocked Jesus demanding a display of his power - <a href=\"http://bible.cc/luke/22-64.htm\">Luke 22:64</a> and <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A36-38&amp;version=AMP\">Luke 23:36-38</a></li>\n	<li>The magistrate Herod similarly demanded a miracle - <a href=\"http://www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?q=Luke%2023:8-11\">Luke 23: 8-11</a></li>\n	<li>One of the thieves crucified along side of Jesus also demanded a sign and power display - <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Luke+23.39-43/\">Luke 23:39-43</a></li>\n	<li>As well as local leaders who stood and watched Jesus die, while questioning his divinity claim - <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A33-35&amp;version=NIV\">Luke 33:35</a></li>\n</ul>\n<h3>Restraint Was Jesus\' Greatest Miracle</h3>\nOne of the most interesting yet overlooked aspects of Jesus\' identity was that he never felt compelled to prove himself to anybody.\n\nHe knew who he was.\n\nThroughout all of scripture, Jesus wasn\'t moved to perform miracles by violence, coercion or even threat of death. He did however move in the miraculous when he was moved by compassion, faith and the simple realization by the needy that he was indeed, who he said he was.\n\nAccording to the bible, those who recognized his true identity as the son of God were the only ones who received his miracles and blessings.\n\nEven while hanging on the cross, amidst the sneering jeers to save himself and thereby prove his divinity to the people, Jesus knew that if he came down off that tree his true identity as a sinless sacrifice and sole path for redemption would have been abdicated and his divine mission forfeited.\n\nJesus was the only one who knew that, and his restraint to maintain that identity ultimately reconciled us back to the Father.\n<h3>Hijacking Jesus\' Identity Today</h3>\nFast forward 2,000 years to the current era where we routinely, albeit unwittingly perhaps, try to strip Jesus of his divinity today.\n\nWe do that when believers and non-believers alike give God an ultimatum that we will <em><strong>only</strong></em> believe in him if he acts or intervenes on our behalf for healing, finances, peace, relational restoration or any other legitimate need within our time line.\n\nBut when we make such demands, how are we any different from those discussed earlier who goaded God to act - such as the robber, Herod, the centurions or even Satan himself?\n\nWe aren\'t.\n\nHopefully we can identify with that failing and find grace waiting in the arms of a loving savior who can identify with every aspect of our frailties.','Hijacking Jesus\' Identity','','inherit','open','open','','5552-revision-58','','','2012-03-23 08:10:55','2012-03-23 15:10:55','',5552,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/23/5552-revision-58/',0,'revision','',0),(5618,153,'2012-03-23 08:11:04','2012-03-23 15:11:04','[caption id=\"attachment_5571\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"487\" caption=\"usage rights secured via dreamstime.com\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-5571\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"487\" height=\"199\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n<h2>The Ongoing Identity Theft of Jesus</h2>\r\nThe divinity of Jesus has been questioned for thousands of years.\r\n\r\nIt\'s not surprising that one of the first recorded instances of this divine doubt occurred before Jesus officially started his ministry. According to the gospel of Matthew, Jesus was fasting in the desert for 40 days when the devil approached him in the wasteland - questioning the Lord\'s deistic attributes.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Appetite</h3>\r\nWe read in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A3-4&amp;version=NKJV\">Matthew 4:3-4</a> that the tempter questioned that if Jesus was indeed the Son of God, then Jesus would be able to turn nearby rock piles warmed by the desert sun into piles of warm bread. Jesus parried with the classic, \"...<em>man shall not live by bread alone...</em>\" verbal retort despite the gnawing hunger in his human belly. This exchange points as proof that both individuals knew that Jesus was both God and man, yet Jesus wasn\'t compelled to prove that point to anybody.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Prophecy</h3>\r\nSubsequently the devil quoted scripture to Jesus, as seen in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A5-7&amp;version=NIV\">Matthew 4:5-7</a>, where the adversary asserted that Jesus could fling himself from the cliff and the \"<em>...angels would bear him up...</em>\" in a seeming appeal for Jesus to fulfill prophecy written centuries before that the Messiah would have to die. Jesus didn\'t fall for it - figuratively nor literally. The scriptures state that Jesus was closely attuned to the will and timing of God, and that his time of death had not yet come - further solidifying his deity identity.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Compassion</h3>\r\nThe chapter goes on to state in <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Matthew+4.8-11/\">Matthew 4:8-11</a> that the devil changed tactics and tried to appeal to Christ\'s love of humanity by offering him the world which had been subjected to demonic control since \"The Fall\" in Eden, in exchange for Jesus falling to his knees to worship the first fallen angel.\r\n\r\nHad Jesus agreed to this quick-fix alternative to salvation - and he could have - the earth might have been redeemed but not the way that God had wanted. Jesus understood that fact because of his celestial connection to the Father.\r\n\r\nOne stern rebuke from Jesus and the devil left.  While Jesus\' divine identity had been challenged it was not diminished in any way.\r\n\r\nHowever, had Jesus yielded to any of those temptation attempts it would have resulted in the most epic identity theft in the history of the universe because the devil would have ascended above the Most High.\r\n\r\nAgain, the fact that Jesus knew who he was prevented that theft from happening.\r\n<h3>Other Divine Identity Theft Attempts</h3>\r\nRegardless, throughout the remainder of Jesus\' recorded life the scriptures state that his heavenly sonship continued to be questioned. Perhaps most notable are several examples that occurred at the time of his crucifixion:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Roman guards beat and mocked Jesus demanding a display of his power - <a href=\"http://bible.cc/luke/22-64.htm\">Luke 22:64</a> and <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A36-38&amp;version=AMP\">Luke 23:36-38</a></li>\r\n	<li>The magistrate Herod similarly demanded a miracle - <a href=\"http://www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?q=Luke%2023:8-11\">Luke 23: 8-11</a></li>\r\n	<li>One of the thieves crucified along side of Jesus also demanded a sign and power display - <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Luke+23.39-43/\">Luke 23:39-43</a></li>\r\n	<li>As well as local leaders who stood and watched Jesus die, while questioning his divinity claim - <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A33-35&amp;version=NIV\">Luke 33:35</a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h3>Restraint Was Jesus\' Greatest Miracle</h3>\r\nOne of the most interesting yet overlooked aspects of Jesus\' identity was that he never felt compelled to prove himself to anybody.\r\n\r\nHe knew who he was.\r\n\r\nThroughout all of scripture, Jesus wasn\'t moved to perform miracles by violence, coercion or even threat of death. He did however move in the miraculous when he was moved by compassion, faith and the simple realization by the needy that he was indeed, who he said he was.\r\n\r\nAccording to the bible, those who recognized his true identity as the son of God were the only ones who received his miracles and blessings.\r\n\r\nEven while hanging on the cross, amidst the sneering jeers to save himself and thereby prove his divinity to the people, Jesus knew that if he came down off that tree his true identity as a sinless sacrifice and sole path for redemption would have been abdicated and his divine mission forfeited.\r\n\r\nJesus was the only one who knew that, and his restraint to maintain that identity ultimately reconciled us back to the Father.\r\n<h3>Hijacking Jesus\' Identity Today</h3>\r\nFast forward 2,000 years to the current era where we routinely, albeit unwittingly perhaps, try to strip Jesus of his divinity today.\r\n\r\nWe do that when believers and non-believers alike give God an ultimatum that we will <em><strong>only</strong></em> believe in him if he acts or intervenes on our behalf for healing, finances, peace, relational restoration or any other legitimate need within our time line.\r\n\r\nBut when we make such demands, how are we any different from those discussed earlier who goaded God to act - such as the robber, Herod, the centurions or even Satan himself?\r\n\r\nWe aren\'t.\r\n\r\nHopefully we can identify with that failing and find grace waiting in the arms of a loving savior who can identify with every aspect of our frailties.','Hijacking Jesus\' Identity','','inherit','open','open','','5552-revision-59','','','2012-03-23 08:11:04','2012-03-23 15:11:04','',5552,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/23/5552-revision-59/',0,'revision','',0),(5619,153,'2012-03-23 08:14:50','2012-03-23 15:14:50','[caption id=\"attachment_5571\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"487\" caption=\"usage rights secured via dreamstime.com\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-5571\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"487\" height=\"199\" /></a>[/caption]\n<h2>The Ongoing Identity Theft of Jesus</h2>\nThe divinity of Jesus has been questioned for thousands of years.\n\nIt\'s not surprising that one of the first recorded instances of this divine doubt occurred before Jesus officially started his ministry. According to the gospel of Matthew, Jesus was fasting in the desert for 40 days when the devil approached him in the wasteland - questioning the Lord\'s deistic attributes.\n<h3>Appealing to Appetite</h3>\nWe read in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A3-4&amp;version=NKJV\">Matthew 4:3-4</a> that the tempter questioned that if Jesus was indeed the Son of God, then Jesus would be able to turn nearby rock piles warmed by the desert sun into piles of warm bread. Jesus parried with the classic, \"...<em>man shall not live by bread alone...</em>\" verbal retort despite the gnawing hunger in his human belly. This exchange points as proof that both individuals knew that Jesus was both God and man, yet Jesus wasn\'t compelled to prove that point to anybody.\n<h3>Appealing to Prophecy</h3>\nSubsequently the devil quoted scripture to Jesus, as seen in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A5-7&amp;version=NIV\">Matthew 4:5-7</a>, where the adversary asserted that Jesus could fling himself from the cliff and the \"<em>...angels would bear him up...</em>\" in a seeming appeal for Jesus to fulfill prophecy written centuries before that the Messiah would have to die. Jesus didn\'t fall for it - figuratively nor literally. The scriptures state that Jesus was closely attuned to the will and timing of God, and that his time of death had not yet come - further solidifying his deity identity.\n<h3>Appealing to Compassion</h3>\nThe chapter goes on to state in <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Matthew+4.8-11/\">Matthew 4:8-11</a> that the devil changed tactics and tried to appeal to Christ\'s love of humanity by offering him the world which had been subjected to demonic control since \"The Fall\" in Eden, in exchange for Jesus falling to his knees to worship the first fallen angel.\n\nHad Jesus agreed to this quick-fix alternative to salvation - and he could have - the earth might have been redeemed but not the way that God had wanted. Jesus understood that fact because of his celestial connection to the Father.\n\nOne stern rebuke from Jesus and the devil left.  While Jesus\' divine identity had been challenged it was not diminished in any way.\n\nHowever, had Jesus yielded to any of those temptation attempts it would have resulted in the most epic identity theft in the history of the universe because the devil would have ascended above the Most High.\n\nAgain, the fact that Jesus knew who he was prevented that theft from happening.\n<h3>Other Divine Identity Theft Attempts</h3>\nRegardless, throughout the remainder of Jesus\' recorded life the scriptures state that his heavenly sonship continued to be questioned. Perhaps most notable are several examples that occurred at the time of his crucifixion:\n<ul>\n	<li>Roman guards beat and mocked Jesus demanding a display of his power - <a href=\"http://bible.cc/luke/22-64.htm\">Luke 22:64</a> and <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A36-38&amp;version=AMP\">Luke 23:36-38</a></li>\n	<li>The magistrate Herod similarly demanded a miracle - <a href=\"http://www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?q=Luke%2023:8-11\">Luke 23: 8-11</a></li>\n	<li>One of the thieves crucified along side of Jesus also demanded a sign and power display - <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Luke+23.39-43/\">Luke 23:39-43</a></li>\n	<li>As well as local leaders who stood and watched Jesus die, while questioning his divinity claim - <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A33-35&amp;version=NIV\">Luke 33:35</a></li>\n</ul>\n<h3>Restraint Was Jesus\' Greatest Miracle</h3>\nPerhaps one of the most interesting yet overlooked aspects of Jesus\' identity was that he never felt compelled to prove himself to anybody.\n\nHe knew who he was.\n\nThroughout all of scripture, Jesus wasn\'t moved to perform miracles by violence, coercion or even threat of death. He did however move in the miraculous when he was moved by compassion, faith and the simple realization by the needy that he was indeed, who he said he was.\n\nAccording to the bible, those who recognized his true identity as the son of God were the only ones who received his miracles and blessings.\n\nEven while hanging on the cross, amidst the sneering jeers to save himself and thereby prove his divinity to the people, Jesus knew that if he came down off that tree his true identity as a sinless sacrifice and sole path for redemption would have been abdicated and his divine mission forfeited.\n\nJesus was the only one who knew that, and his restraint to maintain that identity ultimately reconciled us back to the Father.\n<h3>Hijacking Jesus\' Identity Today</h3>\nFast forward 2,000 years to the current era where we routinely, albeit unwittingly perhaps, try to strip Jesus of his divinity today.\n\nWe do that when believers and non-believers alike give God an ultimatum that we will <em><strong>only</strong></em> believe in him if he acts or intervenes on our behalf for healing, finances, peace, relational restoration or any other legitimate need within our pre-specified time line.\n\nBut when we make such demands, how are we any different from those in the bible who goaded God to act - such as the robber, Herod, the centurions or even Satan himself?\n\nWe aren\'t.\n\nHopefully we can identify with that pfailing and find grace waiting in the arms of a loving savior who can identify with every aspect of our frailties.','Hijacking Jesus\' Identity','','inherit','open','open','','5552-revision-60','','','2012-03-23 08:14:50','2012-03-23 15:14:50','',5552,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/23/5552-revision-60/',0,'revision','',0),(5620,153,'2012-03-23 08:16:03','2012-03-23 15:16:03','[caption id=\"attachment_5571\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"487\" caption=\"usage rights secured via dreamstime.com\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-5571\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"487\" height=\"199\" /></a>[/caption]\n<h2>The Ongoing Identity Theft of Jesus</h2>\nThe divinity of Jesus has been questioned for thousands of years.\n\nIt\'s not surprising that one of the first recorded instances of this divine doubt occurred before Jesus officially started his ministry. According to the gospel of Matthew, Jesus was fasting in the desert for 40 days when the devil approached him in the wasteland - questioning the Lord\'s deistic attributes.\n<h3>Appealing to Appetite</h3>\nWe read in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A3-4&amp;version=NKJV\">Matthew 4:3-4</a> that the tempter questioned that if Jesus was indeed the Son of God, then Jesus would be able to turn nearby rock piles warmed by the desert sun into piles of warm bread. Jesus parried with the classic, \"...<em>man shall not live by bread alone...</em>\" verbal retort despite the gnawing hunger in his human belly. This exchange points as proof that both individuals knew that Jesus was both God and man, yet Jesus wasn\'t compelled to prove that point to anybody.\n<h3>Appealing to Prophecy</h3>\nSubsequently the devil quoted scripture to Jesus, as seen in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A5-7&amp;version=NIV\">Matthew 4:5-7</a>, where the adversary asserted that Jesus could fling himself from the cliff and the \"<em>...angels would bear him up...</em>\" in a seeming appeal for Jesus to fulfill prophecy written centuries before that the Messiah would have to die. Jesus didn\'t fall for it - figuratively nor literally. The scriptures state that Jesus was closely attuned to the will and timing of God, and that his time of death had not yet come - further solidifying his deity identity.\n<h3>Appealing to Compassion</h3>\nThe chapter goes on to state in <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Matthew+4.8-11/\">Matthew 4:8-11</a> that the devil changed tactics and tried to appeal to Christ\'s love of humanity by offering him the world which had been subjected to demonic control since \"The Fall\" in Eden, in exchange for Jesus falling to his knees to worship the first fallen angel.\n\nHad Jesus agreed to this quick-fix alternative to salvation - and he could have - the earth might have been redeemed but not the way that God had wanted. Jesus understood that fact because of his celestial connection to the Father.\n\nOne stern rebuke from Jesus and the devil left.  While Jesus\' divine identity had been challenged it was not diminished in any way.\n\nHowever, had Jesus yielded to any of those temptation attempts it would have resulted in the most epic identity theft in the history of the universe because the devil would have ascended above the Most High.\n\nAgain, the fact that Jesus knew who he was prevented that theft from happening.\n<h3>Other Divine Identity Theft Attempts</h3>\nRegardless, throughout the remainder of Jesus\' recorded life the scriptures state that his heavenly sonship continued to be questioned. Perhaps most notable are several examples that occurred at the time of his crucifixion:\n<ul>\n	<li>Roman guards beat and mocked Jesus demanding a display of his power - <a href=\"http://bible.cc/luke/22-64.htm\">Luke 22:64</a> and <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A36-38&amp;version=AMP\">Luke 23:36-38</a></li>\n	<li>The magistrate Herod similarly demanded a miracle - <a href=\"http://www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?q=Luke%2023:8-11\">Luke 23: 8-11</a></li>\n	<li>One of the thieves crucified along side of Jesus also demanded a sign and power display - <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Luke+23.39-43/\">Luke 23:39-43</a></li>\n	<li>As well as local leaders who stood and watched Jesus die, while questioning his divinity claim - <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A33-35&amp;version=NIV\">Luke 33:35</a></li>\n</ul>\n<h3>Restraint Was Jesus\' Greatest Miracle</h3>\nPerhaps one of the most interesting yet overlooked aspects of Jesus\' identity was that he never felt compelled to prove himself to anybody.\n\nHe knew who he was.\n\nThroughout all of scripture, Jesus wasn\'t moved to perform miracles by violence, coercion or even threat of death. He did however move in the miraculous when he was moved by compassion, faith and the simple realization by the needy that he was indeed, who he said he was.\n\nAccording to the bible, those who recognized his true identity as the son of God were the only ones who received his miracles and blessings.\n\nEven while hanging on the cross, amidst the sneering jeers to save himself and thereby prove his divinity to the people, Jesus knew that if he came down off that tree his true identity as a sinless sacrifice and sole path for redemption would have been abdicated and his divine mission forfeited.\n\nJesus was the only one who knew that, and his restraint to maintain that identity ultimately reconciled us back to the Father.\n<h3>Hijacking Jesus\' Identity Today</h3>\nFast forward 2,000 years to the current era where we routinely, albeit unwittingly perhaps, try to strip Jesus of his divinity today.\n\nWe do that when believers and non-believers alike give God an ultimatum that we will <em><strong>only</strong></em> believe in him if he acts or intervenes on our behalf for healing, finances, peace, relational restoration or any other legitimate need within our pre-specified time line.\n\nBut when we make such demands, how are we any different from those in the bible who goaded God to act - such as the robber, Herod, the centurions or even Satan himself?\n\nWe aren\'t.\n\nHopefully we can identify with that personal failing on our part and find grace waiting in the arms of a loving savior who can identify with every aspect of our frailties.','Hijacking Jesus\' Identity','','inherit','open','open','','5552-revision-61','','','2012-03-23 08:16:03','2012-03-23 15:16:03','',5552,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/23/5552-revision-61/',0,'revision','',0),(5621,153,'2012-03-23 08:17:38','2012-03-23 15:17:38','[caption id=\"attachment_5571\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"487\" caption=\"usage rights secured via dreamstime.com\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-5571\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"487\" height=\"199\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n<h2>The Ongoing Identity Theft of Jesus</h2>\r\nThe divinity of Jesus has been questioned for thousands of years.\r\n\r\nIt\'s not surprising that one of the first recorded instances of this divine doubt occurred before Jesus officially started his ministry. According to the gospel of Matthew, Jesus was fasting in the desert for 40 days when the devil approached him in the wasteland - questioning the Lord\'s deistic attributes.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Appetite</h3>\r\nWe read in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A3-4&amp;version=NKJV\">Matthew 4:3-4</a> that the tempter questioned that if Jesus was indeed the Son of God, then Jesus would be able to turn nearby rock piles warmed by the desert sun into piles of warm bread. Jesus parried with the classic, \"...<em>man shall not live by bread alone...</em>\" verbal retort despite the gnawing hunger in his human belly. This exchange points as proof that both individuals knew that Jesus was both God and man, yet Jesus wasn\'t compelled to prove that point to anybody.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Prophecy</h3>\r\nSubsequently the devil quoted scripture to Jesus, as seen in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A5-7&amp;version=NIV\">Matthew 4:5-7</a>, where the adversary asserted that Jesus could fling himself from the cliff and the \"<em>...angels would bear him up...</em>\" in a seeming appeal for Jesus to fulfill prophecy written centuries before that the Messiah would have to die. Jesus didn\'t fall for it - figuratively nor literally. The scriptures state that Jesus was closely attuned to the will and timing of God, and that his time of death had not yet come - further solidifying his deity identity.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Compassion</h3>\r\nThe chapter goes on to state in <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Matthew+4.8-11/\">Matthew 4:8-11</a> that the devil changed tactics and tried to appeal to Christ\'s love of humanity by offering him the world which had been subjected to demonic control since \"The Fall\" in Eden, in exchange for Jesus falling to his knees to worship the first fallen angel.\r\n\r\nHad Jesus agreed to this quick-fix alternative to salvation - and he could have - the earth might have been redeemed but not the way that God had wanted. Jesus understood that fact because of his celestial connection to the Father.\r\n\r\nOne stern rebuke from Jesus and the devil left.  While Jesus\' divine identity had been challenged it was not diminished in any way.\r\n\r\nHowever, had Jesus yielded to any of those temptation attempts it would have resulted in the most epic identity theft in the history of the universe because the devil would have ascended above the Most High.\r\n\r\nAgain, the fact that Jesus knew who he was prevented that theft from happening.\r\n<h3>Other Divine Identity Theft Attempts</h3>\r\nRegardless, throughout the remainder of Jesus\' recorded life the scriptures state that his heavenly sonship continued to be questioned. Perhaps most notable are several examples that occurred at the time of his crucifixion:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Roman guards beat and mocked Jesus demanding a display of his power - <a href=\"http://bible.cc/luke/22-64.htm\">Luke 22:64</a> and <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A36-38&amp;version=AMP\">Luke 23:36-38</a></li>\r\n	<li>The magistrate Herod similarly demanded a miracle - <a href=\"http://www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?q=Luke%2023:8-11\">Luke 23: 8-11</a></li>\r\n	<li>One of the thieves crucified along side of Jesus also demanded a sign and power display - <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Luke+23.39-43/\">Luke 23:39-43</a></li>\r\n	<li>As well as local leaders who stood and watched Jesus die, while questioning his divinity claim - <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A33-35&amp;version=NIV\">Luke 33:35</a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h3>Restraint Was Jesus\' Greatest Miracle</h3>\r\nPerhaps one of the most interesting yet overlooked aspects of Jesus\' identity was that he never felt compelled to prove himself to anybody.\r\n\r\nHe knew who he was.\r\n\r\nThroughout all of scripture, Jesus wasn\'t moved to perform miracles by violence, coercion or even threat of death. He did however move in the miraculous when he was moved by compassion, faith and the simple realization by the needy that he was indeed, who he said he was.\r\n\r\nAccording to the bible, those who recognized his true identity as the son of God were the only ones who received his miracles and blessings.\r\n\r\nEven while hanging on the cross, amidst the sneering jeers to save himself and thereby prove his divinity to the people, Jesus knew that if he came down off that tree his true identity as a sinless sacrifice and sole path for redemption would have been abdicated and his divine mission forfeited.\r\n\r\nJesus was the only one who knew that, and his restraint to maintain that identity ultimately reconciled us back to the Father.\r\n<h3>Hijacking Jesus\' Identity Today</h3>\r\nFast forward 2,000 years to the current era where we routinely, albeit unwittingly perhaps, try to strip Jesus of his divinity today.\r\n\r\nWe do that when believers and non-believers alike give God an ultimatum that we will <em><strong>only</strong></em> believe in him if he acts or intervenes on our behalf for healing, finances, peace, relational restoration or any other legitimate need within our pre-specified time line.\r\n\r\nBut when we make such demands, how are we any different from those in the bible who goaded God to act - such as the robber, Herod, the centurions or even Satan himself?\r\n\r\nWe aren\'t.\r\n\r\nHopefully we can identify with that personal failing on our part and find grace waiting in the arms of a loving savior who can identify with every aspect of our frailties.','Hijacking Jesus\' Identity','','inherit','open','open','','5552-revision-62','','','2012-03-23 08:17:38','2012-03-23 15:17:38','',5552,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/23/5552-revision-62/',0,'revision','',0),(5622,1,'2012-03-23 09:29:55','2012-03-23 16:29:55','','smiling kids','','inherit','open','open','','smiling-kids','','','2012-03-23 09:29:55','2012-03-23 16:29:55','',5472,'http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/smiling-kids.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(5623,1,'2012-03-15 15:20:31','2012-03-15 22:20:31','It was the last week of April and, as usual, we were taking our weekly walk down the tiny trails trying to get to know our neighbors.  We had been in Paraguay about seven months when talk of Mother’s Day rolled around. While we visited that day I noticed a lot of small children. It’s not uncommon for a struggling family to still have six or more kids.\r\n\r\nI looked at the economic condition of these people living in what amounted to lean-to’s. Two, sometimes three walls of split coco-palm logs lashed together with vines and topped with grass provided cover from rain. I knew they didn’t have many possessions. I thought how sad it must be for these mothers to watch their little ones grow up and not have any memorabilia of their childhood. Seeing all these little ones bouncing around an idea bounced into my head.\r\n\r\nI decided, with each family’s permission, that I would take photos of the kids, have them printed, and mount them in a simple frame as a gift for these hard-working moms. So off we went, walking the 2 ½ kilometers away from the dirt road down foot paths. We spent the afternoon convincing our neighbors that we were not with the CIA and that we were not going to profit from the photos.\r\n\r\nI began to snap shots and chat. The more we chatted the more photos we took. Not all of the photos were of the kids; some were of other members of this community. One in particular was of an elderly couple. They were sisters who had lived many years out in these woods. They were probably in their late 60’s and looked enough alike that it was clear they were siblings. I took their picture and told them we would be back to bring the gift in a few days.\r\n\r\nTwo weeks passed and we had our photos printed and put in sturdy frames. We piled them in bags and trudged off down the dusty path. After the first couple of drop-offs the kids ran ahead and word spread. Folks were waiting on us as we got close to their homes. Everyone was thrilled with their memories in hand. Then, maybe the oddest thing in my life happened.\r\n\r\nOne of the sisters came to get their photo while the other had gone to the creek to fetch water. When she took it, my wife pointed to her face in the picture, saying the word for <em>pretty</em>. <strong>The woman asked who it was.</strong>  We stood there stunned.\r\n\r\n<strong>By that question she was telling us that she didn’t know what she looked like.</strong>\r\n\r\nShe didn’t have a mirror. She shared clothing with her sister, so that didn’t tip her off. They had no transportation and lived nearly two miles from the closest road that could accommodate a vehicle. They had lived there much of their lives down that winding trail. I don’t know if she had never seen her face reflected or if it had been so long that she had forgotten, but I was caught totally off guard.\r\n\r\nOf all the things I take for granted, never once has my reflection even made the list. My wife pointed her out again in the photo, and the lady said “Are you sure?”\r\n\r\nShe started touching her hair and face and straightening her clothes like women do. She touched her face with one hand and her image with the other. While we stood there trying to shake away the shock the other woman came back from the creek.\r\n\r\nOur friend called out for her to come and see the photo we had brought. The other sister came and looked and asked, “Which one am I?”\r\n\r\nThis time her sister pointed out “They said this is me and that one is you.” The second sister primped a little and asked the same question as the first, “Are you sure?”\r\n\r\nThere are days I get up and I go to my bathroom and look into that mirror. I wonder, “Who is that guy looking at me?” Then I hear the whisper of my God speak something to my soul and tell me who I am. Stunned I stare back and ask “Are you sure?”\r\n\r\n<strong>Have you ever forgotten who you are? Do you trust God when He tells you who you are?</strong>','Are You Sure?','','inherit','open','open','','5472-revision-5','','','2012-03-15 15:20:31','2012-03-15 22:20:31','',5472,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/15/5472-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(5624,1,'2012-03-23 09:30:20','2012-03-23 16:30:20','It was the last week of April and, as usual, we were taking our weekly walk down the tiny trails trying to get to know our neighbors.  We had been in Paraguay about seven months when talk of Mother’s Day rolled around. While we visited that day I noticed a lot of small children. It’s not uncommon for a struggling family to still have six or more kids.\r\n\r\nI looked at the economic condition of these people living in what amounted to lean-to’s. Two, sometimes three walls of split coco-palm logs lashed together with vines and topped with grass provided cover from rain. I knew they didn’t have many possessions. I thought how sad it must be for these mothers to watch their little ones grow up and not have any memorabilia of their childhood. Seeing all these little ones bouncing around an idea bounced into my head.\r\n\r\nI decided, with each family’s permission, that I would take photos of the kids, have them printed, and mount them in a simple frame as a gift for these hard-working moms. So off we went, walking the 2 ½ kilometers away from the dirt road down foot paths. We spent the afternoon convincing our neighbors that we were not with the CIA and that we were not going to profit from the photos.\r\n\r\nI began to snap shots and chat. The more we chatted the more photos we took. Not all of the photos were of the kids; some were of other members of this community. One in particular was of an elderly couple. They were sisters who had lived many years out in these woods. They were probably in their late 60’s and looked enough alike that it was clear they were siblings. I took their picture and told them we would be back to bring the gift in a few days.\r\n\r\nTwo weeks passed and we had our photos printed and put in sturdy frames. We piled them in bags and trudged off down the dusty path. After the first couple of drop-offs the kids ran ahead and word spread. Folks were waiting on us as we got close to their homes. Everyone was thrilled with their memories in hand. Then, maybe the oddest thing in my life happened.\r\n\r\nOne of the sisters came to get their photo while the other had gone to the creek to fetch water. When she took it, my wife pointed to her face in the picture, saying the word for <em>pretty</em>. <strong>The woman asked who it was.</strong>  We stood there stunned.\r\n\r\n<strong>By that question she was telling us that she didn’t know what she looked like.</strong>\r\n\r\nShe didn’t have a mirror. She shared clothing with her sister, so that didn’t tip her off. They had no transportation and lived nearly two miles from the closest road that could accommodate a vehicle. They had lived there much of their lives down that winding trail. I don’t know if she had never seen her face reflected or if it had been so long that she had forgotten, but I was caught totally off guard.\r\n\r\nOf all the things I take for granted, never once has my reflection even made the list. My wife pointed her out again in the photo, and the lady said “Are you sure?”\r\n\r\nShe started touching her hair and face and straightening her clothes like women do. She touched her face with one hand and her image with the other. While we stood there trying to shake away the shock the other woman came back from the creek.\r\n\r\nOur friend called out for her to come and see the photo we had brought. The other sister came and looked and asked, “Which one am I?”\r\n\r\nThis time her sister pointed out “They said this is me and that one is you.” The second sister primped a little and asked the same question as the first, “Are you sure?”\r\n\r\nThere are days I get up and I go to my bathroom and look into that mirror. I wonder, “Who is that guy looking at me?” Then I hear the whisper of my God speak something to my soul and tell me who I am. Stunned I stare back and ask “Are you sure?”\r\n\r\n<strong>Have you ever forgotten who you are? Do you trust God when He tells you who you are?</strong>','Are You Sure?','','inherit','open','open','','5472-revision-6','','','2012-03-23 09:30:20','2012-03-23 16:30:20','',5472,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/23/5472-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(5625,0,'2012-03-23 12:26:33','2012-03-23 19:26:33','Dear Editor,\r\n\r\nI just wanted to pass along a graphic that my team and I created about the lack of\r\nwomen in math and sciences today, and the social implications of why this happens:\r\n\r\nhttp://www.engineeringdegree.net/girls-in-stem/\r\n\r\nFeel free to share it, and I’d love to get your thoughts on it as well!\r\n\r\nThanks,\r\nJen\n<!--more-->\nAUTHOR: Jenica\nAUTHOR EMAIL: rheejenica00@gmail.com\nAUTHOR URL: \nSUBJECT: [Provoketive Magazine] Contact Us\nIP: 121.96.61.130\nArray\n(\n    [Name] =&gt; Jenica\n    [Email] =&gt; rheejenica00@gmail.com\n    [Comment] =&gt; Dear Editor,\r\n\r\nI just wanted to pass along a graphic that my team and I created about the lack of\r\nwomen in math and sciences today, and the social implications of why this happens:\r\n\r\nhttp://www.engineeringdegree.net/girls-in-stem/\r\n\r\nFeel free to share it, and I’d love to get your thoughts on it as well!\r\n\r\nThanks,\r\nJen\n)\n','Jenica - 2012-03-23 12:26:33','','publish','open','open','','837ccb2b9b4ff88c45c7bd663c07906c','','','2012-03-23 12:26:33','2012-03-23 19:26:33','',16,'http://provoketive.com/?post_type=feedback&p=5625',0,'feedback','',0),(7392,1,'2012-07-31 21:56:43','2012-08-01 04:56:43','In practical and academic theological circles it\'s popular to ponder, write, consider, and act upon the meaning of following Jesus, especially following Jesus to the cross. You read scripture and start to realize going to the cross of Calvary means resisting death-dealing secular and religious bureaucratic and \"other\" assorted authorities, rejecting anything but love and justice as the measuring line, disallowing all that\'s other than righteousness as the plumbline; after a few years of living out our baptism, we start discovering Resurrection Sunday morning is every bit as demanding as Good Friday afternoon. It\'s easy to take pride in demonstrating visibly for ecclesiastically popular causes, maybe getting onto the evening news, feeling good about ourselves for sometimes getting too involved with concerns not popular with our local judicatories. Soundbite on the late night news, anyone? Spending a season with Mother Teresa\'s peeps or serving Thanksgiving dinner at Father Joe Carroll\'s place. Those bigger, more obvious, more stars-in-our-crowns activities. And for the most part, they\'re all good. Often very good and life-transformative.\r\n\r\nBut in the ambient heat and humidity of mid-summer 2012, I like to remember Jesus partying with friends and with strangers. A spontaneous feast because they\'d hauled in a big catch, had freshly baked bread, and the grapes were ripe and juicy. Or a quick roundup of \"whatever\" resources because so many hungry people had surrounded them. I love stories of Jesus making sure everyone got enough to eat, commanding and demanding his disciples feed others, too. I love how we keep celebrating holy communion, the sacrament of the welcome table, the holy eucharist, with each other. More than simply \"liking\" the way potluck dinners, annual picnics, and strawberry ice cream socials have becoming close to definitive for the church. Ever attended a new to you church that didn\'t have an after worship (or between services) social hour? It\'s all about gathering, talking, relating, feeding, eating, and being fed. And we\'re not likely to keep on performing an action unless it has meaning, unless it says something to us and about us, unless it meets a basic need.\r\n\r\nA religious ritual? There are plenty of those. If we are to remember Jesus, do we need bread and wine? Do we need potlucks and picnics? Throughout the records of Jesus\' life we find accounts of Jesus feeding other people and feasting with his friends; Jesus repeatedly talks about those who will banquet in the Kingdom... and about giving his body for the life of the world. But is that gift of a body broken unto death for the life of the world the whole, entire thing?\r\n\r\nIn feeding friends and strangers, in celebrating bounty of the sea, gifts from the ground, and fruit of the vine, Jesus reveals a worldview that\'s at a 180-degree angle to most common ideas of religion and religiousness. We find loving justice, mercy, and embrace graciously at work wherever Jesus goes, and wherever we follow him into the world so hunger, greed, need, judgment, and exclusion are wiped out.\r\n\r\nLike Jesus, will we actively search for the lonely, the different, the outcast, and the stranger, welcoming them not only to our more formally scheduled eucharistic liturgies (well, turning them out of the narthex, back into the street <em>would</em> be awkward), but also afterwards at social hour (no snarkiness allowed), week night potlucks or annual picnics (I brought enough for everyone and would love to try your special dish), ice cream socials (we\'ve never done it that way, but we\'d love to try your way)? Will we be making our worlds, our neighborhoods and our churches into sanctuaries, holy places, into a foretaste of the reign of God on earth? Will we follow Jesus by including everyone, excluding no one? Will the world recognize us as the body of Christ when we pour out our everyday lives with compassion just as we pour out the eucharistic wine? I hope so!','following Jesus wherever he goes','','inherit','open','open','','7367-revision-6','','','2012-07-31 21:56:43','2012-08-01 04:56:43','',7367,'http://provoketive.com/2012/07/31/7367-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(5631,12,'2012-03-30 08:00:32','2012-03-30 15:00:32','I often wonder about the story of Elijah, the widow and her son in 1 Kings 17. God commanded Elijah to travel to the house of a widow and when he arrived, she had only enough food for one meal. She and her son were starving. In fact, she told Elijah, <em>“As the Lord your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. And now I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it and die.”</em>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/elijahwid1.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft  wp-image-5634\" style=\"margin-left: 6px; margin-right: 6px;\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/elijahwid1-248x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"221\" height=\"267\" /></a>Elijah asked her for the food she had left so he could eat and promised her a miracle: <em>“Do not fear; go and do as you have said. But first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterward make something for yourself and your son.  For thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not be empty, until the day that the Lord sends rain upon the earth.’”</em>\r\n\r\nShe was faithful and believed Elijah and the promise of God. It must have been a difficult thing to do in the face of starving to death, but she did it. The bible tells us, <em>\"The jar of flour was not spent, neither did the jug of oil become empty, according to the word of the Lord that he spoke by Elijah.\"</em>\r\n\r\nThe thing I reflect on is this - every time the widow and her son went to the jug and jar, they had to think about the goodness of God and Elijah\'s visit that day. I\'m sure not a day went by that for a fleeting moment, their hearts thought about the miracle that took place. The jar and jug weren\'t magical, but the power of God was responsible for the events that day. But the jar and jug were touchstones to the eternal. They were daily reminders to both of them to the power of God and what happens when we place our faith in Him.\r\n\r\nThe other day, I was reminded of this personally. I don\'t own a jar of refilling flour. I have an NIV bible that my Mom gave me one Christmas when I was 17. I wasn\'t living the best Christian life possible. I was acting like a little smart aleck most of the time.\r\n\r\nFunny thing was, growing up in a Christian home, I already owned about four bibles. But this was different. Mom was reaching out to me with the word of God. And she wrote me a little note in the inside of the bible: <em>\"A long time ago we realized how special you were to us. Challenged by death, at your birth, God reminded us that your life belonged to Him. When you were again challenged by physical problems, god reminded me through my tears that you are indeed a unique individual. Seek God, listen to His voice, reach faith to share the love He has given you through Him Son, Jesus Christ.\"</em>\r\n\r\nIn the back of the bible was a daily reading plan for the year. For some reason, I decided to use it. I hadn\'t read the bible<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/bible.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-5635\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/bible-224x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"224\" height=\"300\" /></a> in a long time, but I started that day. I started reading and couldn\'t stop. Within three weeks, my life and attitude had changed. Why? Because God had changed my heart through His word. What was the means? My sweet mother who loved me and gave me a bible and wrote me a sweet note. A touchstone to eternity. It\'s still my favorite bible.\r\n\r\nRight now, in your life, there is someone who needs encouragement. There is someone who needs a note or gift from you. Nothing extravagant. Maybe a bible, a bookmark, a book. Write in it. Tell them what you\'ve been meaning to tell them for years. Maybe it\'s someone who has been like a mother or father to you. Maybe it is your mother or father and you just need to let them know what they mean to you. It may be a sibling, aunt, uncle, teacher, pastor, whomever.\r\n\r\nOne of the most regrettable things we can do is let time pass without telling someone how we feel. One of the best things we can do is take a pen to paper (not email, not Facebook, but real ink) and write down our feelings for someone. I promise you that most people keep things like that. If you give them a book, a gift or a memento with that message written in it, it will become precious to them. Each time they see it, they will remember you and the love you have for them.\r\n\r\nThat\'s one of the reasons we are put here. To love one another. Take time to leave a mark for eternity today.','Leaving Our Mark on Eternity','','publish','open','open','','leaving-our-mark-on-eternity','','','2012-03-27 15:04:22','2012-03-27 22:04:22','',0,'http://provoketive.com/?p=5631',0,'post','',0),(5632,12,'2012-03-25 14:45:55','2012-03-25 21:45:55','','photo 4','','inherit','open','open','','photo-4','','','2012-03-25 14:45:55','2012-03-25 21:45:55','',5631,'http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/photo-4.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(5633,12,'2012-03-25 14:47:37','2012-03-25 21:47:37','','Elijah and the Widow I Kings 17:10-13','','inherit','open','open','','elijah-and-the-widow-i-kings-1710-13','','','2012-03-25 14:47:37','2012-03-25 21:47:37','',5631,'http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/elijahwid.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(5634,12,'2012-03-25 14:48:02','2012-03-25 21:48:02','','elijahwid1','','inherit','open','open','','elijah-and-the-widow-i-kings-1710-13-2','','','2012-03-25 14:48:02','2012-03-25 21:48:02','',5631,'http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/elijahwid1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(5635,12,'2012-03-25 14:49:18','2012-03-25 21:49:18','','bible','','inherit','open','open','','bible','','','2012-03-25 14:49:18','2012-03-25 21:49:18','',5631,'http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/bible.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(5636,12,'2012-03-25 14:50:00','2012-03-25 21:50:00','I often wonder about the story of Elijah, the widow and her son in 1 Kings 17. God commanded Elijah to travel to the house of a widow and when he arrived, she had only enough food for one meal. She and her son were starving. In fact, she told Elijah, <em>“As the Lord your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. And now I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it and die.”</em>\n\n<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/elijahwid1.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft  wp-image-5634\" style=\"margin-left: 6px;margin-right: 6px\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/elijahwid1-248x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"221\" height=\"267\" /></a>Elijah asked her for the food she had left so he could eat and promised her a miracle: <em>“Do not fear; go and do as you have said. But first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterward make something for yourself and your son.  For thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not be empty, until the day that the Lord sends rain upon the earth.’”</em>\n\nShe was faithful and believed Elijah and the promise of God. It must have been a difficult thing to do in the face of starving to death, but she did it. The bible tells us, <em>\"The jar of flour was not spent, neither did the jug of oil become empty, according to the word of the Lord that he spoke by Elijah.\"</em>\n\nThe thing I reflect on is this - every time the widow and her son went to the jug and jar, they had to think about the goodness of God and Elijah\'s visit that day. I\'m sure not a day went by that for a fleeting moment, their hearts thought about the miracle that took place. The jar and jug weren\'t magical, but the power of God was responsible for the events that day. But the jar and jug were touchstones to the eternal. They were daily reminders to both of them to the power of God and what happens when we place our faith in Him.\n\nThe other day, I was reminded of this personally. I don\'t own a jar of refilling flour. I have an NIV bible that my Mom gave me one Christmas when I was 17. I wasn\'t living the best Christian life possible. I was acting like a little smart aleck most of the time.\n\nFunny thing was, growing up in a Christian home, I already owned about four bibles. But this was different. Mom was reaching out to me with the word of God. And she wrote me a little note in the inside of the bible: <em>\"A long time ago we realized how special you were to us. Challenged by death, at your birth, God reminded us that your life belonged to Him. When you were again challenged by physical problems, god reminded me through my tears that you are indeed a unique individual. Seek God, listen to His voice, reach faith to share the love He has given you through Him Son, Jesus Christ.\"</em>\n\nIn the back of the bible was a daily reading plan for the year. For some reason, I decided to use it. I hadn\'t read the bible<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/bible.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-5635\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/bible-224x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"224\" height=\"300\" /></a> in a long time, but I started that day. I started reading and couldn\'t stop. Within three weeks, my life and attitude had changed. Why? Because God had changed my heart through His word. What was the means? My sweet mother who loved me and gave me a bible and wrote me a sweet note. A touchstone to eternity. It\'s still my favorite bible.\n\nRight now, in your life, there is someone who needs encouragement. There is someone who needs a note or gift from you. Nothing extravagant. Maybe a bible, a bookmark, a book. Write in it. Tell them what you\'ve been meaning to tell them for years. Maybe it\'s someone who has been like a mother or father to you. Maybe it is your mother or father and you just need to let them know what they mean to you. It may be a sibling, aunt, uncle, teacher, pastor, whomever.\n\nOne of the most regrettable things we can do is let time pass without telling someone how we feel. One of the best things we can do is take a pen to paper (not email, not Facebook, but real ink) and write down our feelings for someone. I promise you that most people keep things like that. If you give them a book, a gift or a memento with that message written in it, it will become precious to them. Each time they see it, they will remember you and the love you have for them.\n\nThat\'s one of the reasons we are put here. To love one another. Take time to leave a mark for eternity today.','Leaving Our Mark on Eternity','','inherit','open','open','','5631-revision','','','2012-03-25 14:50:00','2012-03-25 21:50:00','',5631,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/25/5631-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(5638,38,'2012-05-07 08:00:20','2012-05-07 15:00:20','<h2>Why It All Matters</h2>\r\nOver the next couple of weeks I am going to be posting a series of interviews with religious leaders and congregants of different religions from the metro Detroit area.\r\n\r\nWhy? Well, that’s a complicated answer.\r\n\r\nI’ve been trying to pin down when I first became interested in interfaith relations. I can look back to a couple of years ago picking up a book of poetry by the Sufi poet Rumi. The way he spoke of God was so beautiful and different from what I had heard before.\r\n<blockquote>This lion of God\r\nwatches over me,\r\nI sing as he roars.</blockquote>\r\n(From “I’ve Got You Now” from <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Hush-Dont-Say-Anything-God/dp/0875730841/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1332704201&amp;sr=8-1\"><em>Hush, Don’t Say Anything to God: Passionate Poems by Rumi</em></a>.)\r\n<h2>Missing the Guts</h2>\r\nI took a World Religion class a few semesters ago. I inhaled it. However, it was missing the <em>guts</em>. What I mean is that I got all the textbook facts and explanations of the different world religions, but it was missing what it\'s like to be a Buddhist in the world today. It was missing how it feels to be a young Muslim in Detroit. It was missing how it feels to be a Sikh living in the Midwest. I loved the textbook stuff, but I wanted to hear the stories for myself.\r\n\r\nI grew up completely in the dark about other religions. They were this kind of scary blob out there somewhere in the distance. I didn\'t know anyone of other religions, let alone other sects, but I was told very early on that they were dangerous. So, when I grew up and moved out of my beginnings, I started to meet new people around me. They weren\'t Christian, but spoke of faith and god the same way I did. It still meant a lot to them, they still went to worship, and they still had things they could or couldn\'t do because of their convictions.\r\n\r\nThey were just like me.\r\n<h2>Why It Matters to Me</h2>\r\n<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/guy-sunset_flickr_macisaguy.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft  wp-image-5639\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/guy-sunset_flickr_macisaguy-300x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"186\" height=\"93\" /></a>I grew up very isolated from and very ignorant to other religions. At the end of high school I had my own journey with disillusionment/migration from one church to another and I started to see how hurtful my previous views of other religions had been. I know how important, devastating, crucial, life-changing and transformational religion had been in my life, and people of other faiths feel that way about theirs, so how could I be so callous to brush theirs off?\r\n\r\nThe things that I have learned about other religions do not weaken my faith but they <em>enhance it</em>. The more I know about other religions, the more it gives me new perspectives about belief, discipline, love, peace, and faith. How would my faith be stronger if I prayed five times a day? If I committed to not harming other beings? If I stuck to a strong stance of non-violence? These are all principles that are in other religions, but they could be used as tools to understand my own faith better if applied to my own God and faith.\r\n\r\nWe are living in a crucial point in history. Whether we like it or not, we have to share the space on this planet with others. If we cannot learn to live together, we will rip this planet to shreds.\r\n<h2>You Shall Be Free, Indeed</h2>\r\nWhat I found from doing these interviews is that it liberated me. Why?\r\n\r\n<strong>It liberated me because... I can offer dignity to the people I had taken it away from.</strong>\r\n\r\nI have said hateful things to people of other religions in my former life. I am not proud of them and I wish I could take them back because I know how misinformed I was. I know now how hurtful I was. So now, I get the chance to show the people around me where I was wrong, and how we can all move forward in a more compassionate, loving way.\r\n\r\n<strong>It liberated me because... I can be the bearer of truth.</strong>\r\n\r\nNope, just because someone is wearing something on their head does not mean they are a terrorist. They don\'t worship Mary; they don\'t have mushy beliefs; they don\'t advocate murder; and they don\'t do blood offerings.\r\n\r\nIf you know the truth about other people, about your global neighbors, about the people in your community, you will be able to communicate that to your friends and family. You can correct the conversation, right the injustice, and wipe away the discrimination. If you know the truth, you have the power to change the conversation and bring light back into the room.\r\n\r\nThis is about the golden rule. If someone blindly accused you of something that was clearly false, wouldn\'t you want that cleared up? Wouldn\'t you wish they had taken an extra minute to learn <em>why</em> you do the things you do? Why then shouldn\'t we extend that to other people?\r\n\r\n<strong>It liberated me because... I have learned to appreciate diversity.</strong>\r\n\r\nI don\'t remember who said this to me recently, but they said that people are like a garden. If we were all one flower of the same color, the garden would be pretty but wouldn\'t be significant. But if we are a garden of different flowers, of different shapes, colors, scents, and functions, the garden comes to life. We are beautiful because of our diversity.\r\n\r\n<strong>It liberated me because... I don\'t have to be afraid anymore.</strong>\r\n\r\nThis is the piece that has truly changed my life. If you find out that your coworker has a different faith and you get context to what they believe, you start to care about them. They stop being these scary people on the news. They stop being these people you have to clutch your purse closer when you walk by. They stop being unknown.\r\n\r\nThey come to life. They start becoming human.\r\n\r\nThey believe just like I do. They care about life, love, and their families just like I do. They aren\'t an Other. They are my neighbor and I care about them now because they aren\'t something in the distance. They have a face, a personality, a name, an accent and a story. Instead of being able to insult something in the darkness, I melt in the gaze of their eyes because I know them.\r\n\r\nYou may never get the chance or desire to meet a Druid from Plymouth, Michigan. But now that you can connect a face to a story, to a faith, to a religion, you hopefully will be slower to paint hateful things about them or any other member of faith with your words. I wanted to do this series to bring <em>you</em> the stories. I wanted <em>you</em> to hear it straight from the horse\'s mouth.\r\n<h2>Live Together, Die Alone</h2>\r\nWe don\'t have to agree and we don\'t have to convert. But we do need to inform ourselves so we don\'t spread lies about our neighbors and we need to learn how to share this space safely and kindly.\r\n\r\nIf you haven’t watched the TV series LOST, there\'s a point where after enough division, the main character, Jack, gives this beautiful speech and says \"If we don\'t live together, we\'re gonna die alone.\" It\'s not a perfect analogy, but if we start we will be able to start seeing each other as people seeking love as a humans first, we suddenly have a lot more we have in common with each other. We’ll have a lot more to appreciate, learn, express and and a lot more to explore with each other.\r\n\r\nIf we can learn about each other and hear each other’s stories we won’t have to be afraid anymore. We’ll be able to see each other as neighbors, as doctors, as teachers, as friends, as real estate agents, and not as terrorists, liars, or aliens. We’ll be able to see each other as God sees us: his beautiful creation.\r\n\r\nThe point of this series is to call out what is good in each of these faith perspectives because at the core of all of them is <em>love</em>. I want to find the expressions of their journeys that bring meaning to our journeys. This allows us to give more grace, redemption and honor to each other as humans without having to agree on logistics or trying to get everyone to believe in one faith.\r\n\r\nAfter all, everyone is created and born long before they have a religious affiliation. If we start to view each other as humans <em>first</em>, it takes the teeth of those heated, damaging religious conversations and redeems us all.\r\n\r\n<em><strong>First up, we\'ll hear from Carl Marshall, a Bahá’í gentleman from Detroit.</strong></em>\r\n\r\n<em>Photo credit: Flickr / <a href=\"Why It All Matters\" target=\"_blank\">macisaguy</a></em>','Faith Interview Series: Introduction','','publish','open','open','','faith-interview-series-introduction','','','2012-05-08 11:35:43','2012-05-08 18:35:43','',0,'http://provoketive.com/?p=5638',0,'post','',0),(5639,38,'2012-03-25 18:53:15','2012-03-26 01:53:15','','guy-sunset_flickr_macisaguy','','inherit','open','open','','guy-sunset_flickr_macisaguy','','','2012-03-25 18:53:15','2012-03-26 01:53:15','',5638,'http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/guy-sunset_flickr_macisaguy.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(5640,38,'2012-03-25 18:53:53','2012-03-26 01:53:53','I’ve been trying to write this article for a week. I thought it would be as simple as “Hello, you might have met me before, this is what I’m doing” kind of quick post. What I am doing: over the next couple of weeks I am going to be posting a series of interviews with religious leaders and congregants of different religions from the metro Detroit area.\n\nWhy? Well, that’s a complicated answer.\n\nI’ve been trying to pin down when I first became interested in interfaith relations. I can look back to a couple of years ago picking up a book of poetry by the Sufi poet Rumi. The way he spoke of God was so beautiful and different from what I had ever heard.\n<blockquote>This lion of God\nwatches over me,\nI sing as he roars.</blockquote>\n(From “I’ve Got You Now” from <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Hush-Dont-Say-Anything-God/dp/0875730841/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1332704201&amp;sr=8-1\"><em>Hush, Don’t Say Anything to God: Passionate Poems by Rumi</em></a>.)\n\nI can think back to the World Religion class that I took a few semesters back that I inhaled. I think back to when I flew from Miami to Detroit and asked lots of questions to a Baha’i gentleman I was sitting next to. I have been in multiple workshops about comparative religion. And this is only the short list; world religion has captured my interest for a long time.\n\nAs I have written about before, the environment I grew up in was very isolated from and very ignorant to other religions. At the end of high school I had my own journey with disillusionment/migration from one church to another and I started to see how hurtful my previous views of other religions had been.\n\nI know how important, devastating, crucial, life-changing and transformational religion had been in my life, and people of other faiths feel that way about theirs, why would I brush them off?\n\nWhen I was younger I was always told to go to a Christian university because if I went to any kind of secular university I would surely be barraged with professors who would try to dissuade me from my faith, and therefore weren’t supposed to give more than a passing glance at learning about other religions because they would dissuade me too.\n\n“If that were true, that means that your faith was not very strong to begin with,” Bob Cornwall, pastor of Central Woodward Christian Church who leads an interfaith group, said to me when I asked him “How do you deal with people who think that you are losing your faith by participating in interfaith activities?” (You’ll get to hear more from Bob soon.)\n\nThe things that I have learned about other religions do not weaken my faith but they <em>enhance it</em>.\n\nWhen I learned about the ninety-nine names that Muslims have for God, they made me think of my God. Would I have thought to refer to my creator as \"The Repeatedly Forgiving\" or \"The Irresistible, The Compeller\" or \"The All-Embracing\"? No, but by getting outside of the traditional nomenclature that my religious background thrusts upon me, I was able to find new descriptions and a new way of seeing my own God. My God is the one who is the repeatedly forgiving, who is all-embracing according to John 3:16, and is irresistible and compels me to follow him.\n\nI have a deep personal belief that all people want the same basic things. They want to be: heard, seen, understood, loved, represented (fought for/have an ally) and accepted. Inside each person, all of humanity, each religion is a way of finding those things and giving those things to others.\n\nIf you haven’t watched the TV series LOST, there\'s a point where after enough division, the main character, Jack, gives this beautiful speech and says \"We either live together, or die alone.\" It\'s not a perfect analogy, but if we start are able to start seeing each other as people seeking love as a humans first, there is a lot more we have in common. We’ll have a lot more to appreciate, a lot more to learn, and a lot more to express and explore with each other.\n\nIf we can learn about each other and hear each other’s stories we won’t have to be afraid anymore. We’ll be able to see each other as neighbors, as doctors, as teachers, as friends, as real estate agents, and not as terrorists, liars, or aliens. We’ll be able to see each other as God sees us: his beautiful creation.\n\nThe point of this series is to call out what is good in each of these faith perspectives because at the core of all of them is love. I want to find the expressions of their journeys that bring meaning to my journey and to your journey.\n\nThis allows us to give more grace, redemption and honor to each other as humans without having to agree on logistics or trying to get everyone to believe in one faith.\n\nAfter all, everyone is created and born long before they have a religious affiliation. If we start to view each other as humans <em>first</em>, it takes the teeth of these heated, damaging religious conversations and redeems us all.\n\n<em>First up we will hear from Carl, the Baha\'i gentleman from Detroit, Michigan.</em>\n\n<em>Photo credit: Flickr / <a href=\"Why It All Matters\" target=\"_blank\">macisaguy</a></em>','Faith Interview Series: Why It All Matters','','inherit','open','open','','5638-revision','','','2012-03-25 18:53:53','2012-03-26 01:53:53','',5638,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/25/5638-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(5641,38,'2012-03-25 18:54:09','2012-03-26 01:54:09','I’ve been trying to write this article for a week. I thought it would be as simple as “Hello, you might have met me before, this is what I’m doing” kind of quick post. What I am doing: over the next couple of weeks I am going to be posting a series of interviews with religious leaders and congregants of different religions from the metro Detroit area.\r\n\r\nWhy? Well, that’s a complicated answer.\r\n\r\nI’ve been trying to pin down when I first became interested in interfaith relations. I can look back to a couple of years ago picking up a book of poetry by the Sufi poet Rumi. The way he spoke of God was so beautiful and different from what I had heard before.\r\n<blockquote>This lion of God\r\nwatches over me,\r\nI sing as he roars.</blockquote>\r\n(From “I’ve Got You Now” from <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Hush-Dont-Say-Anything-God/dp/0875730841/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1332704201&amp;sr=8-1\"><em>Hush, Don’t Say Anything to God: Passionate Poems by Rumi</em></a>.)\r\n\r\nI can think back to the World Religion class that I took a few semesters back that I inhaled. I think back to when I flew from Miami to Detroit and asked lots of questions to a Baha’i gentleman I was sitting next to. I have been in multiple workshops about comparative religion. And this is only the short list; world religion has captured my interest for a long time.\r\n\r\nAs I have written about before, the environment I grew up in was very isolated from and very ignorant to other religions. At the end of high school I had my own journey with disillusionment/migration from one church to another and I started to see how hurtful my previous views of other religions had been.\r\n\r\nI know how important, devastating, crucial, life-changing and transformational religion had been in my life, and people of other faiths feel that way about theirs, why would I brush them off?\r\n\r\nWhen I was younger I was always told to go to a Christian university because if I went to any kind of secular university I would surely be barraged with professors who would try to dissuade me from my faith, and therefore weren’t supposed to give more than a passing glance at learning about other religions because they would dissuade me too.\r\n\r\n“If that were true, that means that your faith was not very strong to begin with,” Bob Cornwall, pastor of Central Woodward Christian Church who leads an interfaith group, said to me when I asked him “How do you deal with people who think that you are losing your faith by participating in interfaith activities?” (You’ll get to hear more from Bob soon.)\r\n\r\nThe things that I have learned about other religions do not weaken my faith but they <em>enhance it</em>.\r\n\r\nWhen I learned about the ninety-nine names that Muslims have for God, they made me think of my God. Would I have thought to refer to my creator as \"The Repeatedly Forgiving\" or \"The Irresistible, The Compeller\" or \"The All-Embracing\"? No, but by getting outside of the traditional nomenclature that my religious background thrusts upon me, I was able to find new descriptions and a new way of seeing my own God. My God is the one who is the repeatedly forgiving, who is all-embracing according to John 3:16, and is irresistible and compels me to follow him.\r\n\r\nI have a deep personal belief that all people want the same basic things. They want to be: heard, seen, understood, loved, represented (fought for/have an ally) and accepted. Inside each person, all of humanity, each religion is a way of finding those things and giving those things to others.\r\n\r\nIf you haven’t watched the TV series LOST, there\'s a point where after enough division, the main character, Jack, gives this beautiful speech and says \"We either live together, or die alone.\" It\'s not a perfect analogy, but if we start are able to start seeing each other as people seeking love as a humans first, there is a lot more we have in common. We’ll have a lot more to appreciate, a lot more to learn, and a lot more to express and explore with each other.\r\n\r\nIf we can learn about each other and hear each other’s stories we won’t have to be afraid anymore. We’ll be able to see each other as neighbors, as doctors, as teachers, as friends, as real estate agents, and not as terrorists, liars, or aliens. We’ll be able to see each other as God sees us: his beautiful creation.\r\n\r\nThe point of this series is to call out what is good in each of these faith perspectives because at the core of all of them is love. I want to find the expressions of their journeys that bring meaning to my journey and to your journey.\r\n\r\nThis allows us to give more grace, redemption and honor to each other as humans without having to agree on logistics or trying to get everyone to believe in one faith.\r\n\r\nAfter all, everyone is created and born long before they have a religious affiliation. If we start to view each other as humans <em>first</em>, it takes the teeth of these heated, damaging religious conversations and redeems us all.\r\n\r\n<em>First up we will hear from Carl, the Baha\'i gentleman from Detroit, Michigan.</em>\r\n\r\n<em>Photo credit: Flickr / <a href=\"Why It All Matters\" target=\"_blank\">macisaguy</a></em>','Faith Interview Series: Why It All Matters','','inherit','open','open','','5638-revision-2','','','2012-03-25 18:54:09','2012-03-26 01:54:09','',5638,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/25/5638-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(5642,38,'2012-05-08 11:35:31','2012-05-08 18:35:31','<h2>Why It All Matters</h2>\nOver the next couple of weeks I am going to be posting a series of interviews with religious leaders and congregants of different religions from the metro Detroit area.\n\nWhy? Well, that’s a complicated answer.\n\nI’ve been trying to pin down when I first became interested in interfaith relations. I can look back to a couple of years ago picking up a book of poetry by the Sufi poet Rumi. The way he spoke of God was so beautiful and different from what I had heard before.\n<blockquote>This lion of God\nwatches over me,\nI sing as he roars.</blockquote>\n(From “I’ve Got You Now” from <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Hush-Dont-Say-Anything-God/dp/0875730841/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1332704201&amp;sr=8-1\"><em>Hush, Don’t Say Anything to God: Passionate Poems by Rumi</em></a>.)\n<h2>Missing the Guts</h2>\nI took a World Religion class a few semesters ago. I inhaled it. However, it was missing the <em>guts</em>. What I mean is that I got all the textbook facts and explanations of the different world religions, but it was missing what it\'s like to be a Buddhist in the world today. It was missing how it feels to be a young Muslim in Detroit. It was missing how it feels to be a Sikh living in the Midwest. I loved the textbook stuff, but I wanted to hear the stories for myself.\n\nI grew up completely in the dark about other religions. They were this kind of scary blob out there somewhere in the distance. I didn\'t know anyone of other religions, let alone other sects, but I was told very early on that they were dangerous. So, when I grew up and moved out of my beginnings, I started to meet new people around me. They weren\'t Christian, but spoke of faith and god the same way I did. It still meant a lot to them, they still went to worship, and they still had things they could or couldn\'t do because of their convictions.\n\nThey were just like me.\n<h2>Why It Matters to Me</h2>\n<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/guy-sunset_flickr_macisaguy.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft  wp-image-5639\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/guy-sunset_flickr_macisaguy-300x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"186\" height=\"93\" /></a>I grew up very isolated from and very ignorant to other religions. At the end of high school I had my own journey with disillusionment/migration from one church to another and I started to see how hurtful my previous views of other religions had been. I know how important, devastating, crucial, life-changing and transformational religion had been in my life, and people of other faiths feel that way about theirs, so how could I be so callous to brush theirs off?\n\nThe things that I have learned about other religions do not weaken my faith but they <em>enhance it</em>. The more I know about other religions, the more it gives me new perspectives about belief, discipline, love, peace, and faith. How would my faith be stronger if I prayed five times a day? If I committed to not harming other beings? If I stuck to a strong stance of non-violence? These are all principles that are in other religions, but they could be used as tools to understand my own faith better if applied to my own God and faith.\n\nWe are living in a crucial point in history. Whether we like it or not, we have to share the space on this planet with others. If we cannot learn to live together, we will rip this planet to shreds.\n<h2>You Shall Be Free, Indeed</h2>\nWhat I found from doing these interviews is that it liberated me. Why?\n\n<strong>It liberated me because... I can offer dignity to the people I had taken it away from.</strong>\n\nI have said hateful things to people of other religions in my former life. I am not proud of them and I wish I could take them back because I know how misinformed I was. I know now how hurtful I was. So now, I get the chance to show the people around me where I was wrong, and how we can all move forward in a more compassionate, loving way.\n\n<strong>It liberated me because... I can be the bearer of truth.</strong>\n\nNope, just because someone is wearing something on their head does not mean they are a terrorist. They don\'t worship Mary; they don\'t have mushy beliefs; they don\'t advocate murder; and they don\'t do blood offerings.\n\nIf you know the truth about other people, about your global neighbors, about the people in your community, you will be able to communicate that to your friends and family. You can correct the conversation, right the injustice, and wipe away the discrimination. If you know the truth, you have the power to change the conversation and bring light back into the room.\n\nThis is about the golden rule. If someone blindly accused you of something that was clearly false, wouldn\'t you want that cleared up? Wouldn\'t you wish they had taken an extra minute to learn <em>why</em> you do the things you do? Why then shouldn\'t we extend that to other people?\n\n<strong>It liberated me because... I have learned to appreciate diversity.</strong>\n\nI don\'t remember who said this to me recently, but they said that people are like a garden. If we were all one flower of the same color, the garden would be pretty but wouldn\'t be significant. But if we are a garden of different flowers, of different shapes, colors, scents, and functions, the garden comes to life. We are beautiful because of our diversity.\n\n<strong>It liberated me because... I don\'t have to be afraid anymore.</strong>\n\nThis is the piece that has truly changed my life. If you find out that your coworker has a different faith and you get context to what they believe, you start to care about them. They stop being these scary people on the news. They stop being these people you have to clutch your purse closer when you walk by. They stop being unknown.\n\nThey come to life. They start becoming human.\n\nThey believe just like I do. They care about life, love, and their families just like I do. They aren\'t an Other. They are my neighbor and I care about them now because they aren\'t something in the distance. They have a face, a personality, a name, an accent and a story. Instead of being able to insult something in the darkness, I melt in the gaze of their eyes because I know them.\n\nYou may never get the chance or desire to meet a Druid from Plymouth, Michigan. But now that you can connect a face to a story, to a faith, to a religion, you hopefully will be slower to paint hateful things about them or any other member of faith with your words. I wanted to do this series to bring <em>you</em> the stories. I wanted <em>you</em> to hear it straight from the horse\'s mouth.\n<h2>Live Together, Die Alone</h2>\nWe don\'t have to agree and we don\'t have to convert. But we do need to inform ourselves so we don\'t spread lies about our neighbors and we need to learn how to share this space safely and kindly.\n\nIf you haven’t watched the TV series LOST, there\'s a point where after enough division, the main character, Jack, gives this beautiful speech and says \"If we don\'t live together, we\'re gonna die alone.\" It\'s not a perfect analogy, but if we start we will be able to start seeing each other as people seeking love as a humans first, we suddenly have a lot more we have in common with each other. We’ll have a lot more to appreciate, learn, express and and a lot more to explore with each other.\n\nIf we can learn about each other and hear each other’s stories we won’t have to be afraid anymore. We’ll be able to see each other as neighbors, as doctors, as teachers, as friends, as real estate agents, and not as terrorists, liars, or aliens. We’ll be able to see each other as God sees us: his beautiful creation.\n\nThe point of this series is to call out what is good in each of these faith perspectives because at the core of all of them is <em>love</em>. I want to find the expressions of their journeys that bring meaning to our journeys. This allows us to give more grace, redemption and honor to each other as humans without having to agree on logistics or trying to get everyone to believe in one faith.\n\nAfter all, everyone is created and born long before they have a religious affiliation. If we start to view each other as humans <em>first</em>, it takes the teeth of those heated, damaging religious conversations and redeems us all.\n\n<em><strong>First up, we\'ll hear from Carl Marshall, a Bahá’í gentleman from Detroit.</strong></em>\n\n<em>Photo credit: Flickr / <a href=\"Why It All Matters\" target=\"_blank\">macisaguy</a></em>','Faith Interview Series: Introduction','','inherit','open','open','','5638-autosave','','','2012-05-08 11:35:31','2012-05-08 18:35:31','',5638,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/25/5638-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(5643,38,'2012-03-25 18:54:17','2012-03-26 01:54:17','I’ve been trying to write this article for a week. I thought it would be as simple as “Hello, you might have met me before, this is what I’m doing” kind of quick post. What I am doing: over the next couple of weeks I am going to be posting a series of interviews with religious leaders and congregants of different religions from the metro Detroit area.\r\n\r\nWhy? Well, that’s a complicated answer.\r\n\r\nI’ve been trying to pin down when I first became interested in interfaith relations. I can look back to a couple of years ago picking up a book of poetry by the Sufi poet Rumi. The way he spoke of God was so beautiful and different from what I had heard before.\r\n<blockquote>This lion of God\r\nwatches over me,\r\nI sing as he roars.</blockquote>\r\n(From “I’ve Got You Now” from <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Hush-Dont-Say-Anything-God/dp/0875730841/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1332704201&amp;sr=8-1\"><em>Hush, Don’t Say Anything to God: Passionate Poems by Rumi</em></a>.)\r\n\r\nI can think back to the World Religion class that I took a few semesters back that I inhaled. I think back to when I flew from Miami to Detroit and asked lots of questions to a Baha’i gentleman I was sitting next to. I have been in multiple workshops about comparative religion. And this is only the short list; world religion has captured my interest for a long time.\r\n\r\nAs I have written about before, the environment I grew up in was very isolated from and very ignorant to other religions. At the end of high school I had my own journey with disillusionment/migration from one church to another and I started to see how hurtful my previous views of other religions had been.\r\n\r\nI know how important, devastating, crucial, life-changing and transformational religion had been in my life, and people of other faiths feel that way about theirs, why would I brush them off?\r\n\r\nWhen I was younger I was always told to go to a Christian university because if I went to any kind of secular university I would surely be barraged with professors who would try to dissuade me from my faith, and therefore weren’t supposed to give more than a passing glance at learning about other religions because they would dissuade me too.\r\n\r\n“If that were true, that means that your faith was not very strong to begin with,” Bob Cornwall, pastor of Central Woodward Christian Church who leads an interfaith group, said to me when I asked him “How do you deal with people who think that you are losing your faith by participating in interfaith activities?” (You’ll get to hear more from Bob soon.)\r\n\r\nThe things that I have learned about other religions do not weaken my faith but they <em>enhance it</em>.\r\n\r\nWhen I learned about the ninety-nine names that Muslims have for God, they made me think of my God. Would I have thought to refer to my creator as \"The Repeatedly Forgiving\" or \"The Irresistible, The Compeller\" or \"The All-Embracing\"? No, but by getting outside of the traditional nomenclature that my religious background thrusts upon me, I was able to find new descriptions and a new way of seeing my own God. My God is the one who is the repeatedly forgiving, who is all-embracing according to John 3:16, and is irresistible and compels me to follow him.\r\n\r\nI have a deep personal belief that all people want the same basic things. They want to be: heard, seen, understood, loved, represented (fought for/have an ally) and accepted. Inside each person, all of humanity, each religion is a way of finding those things and giving those things to others.\r\n\r\nIf you haven’t watched the TV series LOST, there\'s a point where after enough division, the main character, Jack, gives this beautiful speech and says \"We either live together, or die alone.\" It\'s not a perfect analogy, but if we start are able to start seeing each other as people seeking love as a humans first, there is a lot more we have in common. We’ll have a lot more to appreciate, a lot more to learn, and a lot more to express and explore with each other.\r\n\r\nIf we can learn about each other and hear each other’s stories we won’t have to be afraid anymore. We’ll be able to see each other as neighbors, as doctors, as teachers, as friends, as real estate agents, and not as terrorists, liars, or aliens. We’ll be able to see each other as God sees us: his beautiful creation.\r\n\r\nThe point of this series is to call out what is good in each of these faith perspectives because at the core of all of them is love. I want to find the expressions of their journeys that bring meaning to my journey and to your journey.\r\n\r\nThis allows us to give more grace, redemption and honor to each other as humans without having to agree on logistics or trying to get everyone to believe in one faith.\r\n\r\nAfter all, everyone is created and born long before they have a religious affiliation. If we start to view each other as humans <em>first</em>, it takes the teeth of these heated, damaging religious conversations and redeems us all.\r\n\r\n<em>First up we will hear from Carl, the Baha\'i gentleman from Detroit, Michigan.</em>\r\n\r\n<em>Photo credit: Flickr / <a href=\"Why It All Matters\" target=\"_blank\">macisaguy</a></em>','Faith Interview Series: Why It All Matters','','inherit','open','open','','5638-revision-3','','','2012-03-25 18:54:17','2012-03-26 01:54:17','',5638,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/25/5638-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(5930,1,'2012-04-08 19:47:33','2012-04-09 02:47:33','In my town, there are a lot of living nativity scenes every year. <a href=\"http://provoketive.com/2011/12/17/three-reasons-to-tear-down-the-nativity-scene/\">I don\'t like them</a>. I\'ve blogged about before. There\'s only one thing I can\'t stand more than a living nativity.\r\n\r\nA living crucifixion reenactment.\r\n\r\nThere are three in this county every year. I get my boxers in a wad about it every year. I want to drive by them every year and yell, \"Get him down from there!\"\r\n\r\nI hate to say that they \"offend\" me. Everyone is offended these days. It takes so little to offend the modern mind. So, I\'m not offended. I just run afoul of the fact that churches think that the gospel is being spread by putting middle-aged men on a cross so people can see them on there. In a world filled with suffering, what good does it do to see a picture of more suffering without explanation? People drive by without any idea why the Christ suffered. (more thoughts below)\r\n\r\nI drove by this year and had one of my \"oh, snap\" moments, though. I did get offended. Severely offended. Good Friday should be seriously offensive to every Christian.\r\n\r\nThe day Christ went to Calvary, he went so willingly. In the Garden of Gethsemane, he asked that the cup of suffering would pass from him, but then said, \"but not my will, but yours,\" speaking of his father. Then, we willingly went to the cross, bore our sins and endured the wrath of God.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/living-crucifixion.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-5883\" style=\"margin-left: 6px;margin-right: 6px\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/living-crucifixion-300x184.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"184\" /></a>He bore my sins. My daily, sickening, evil, nasty sins. For me. So I would not have to endure the wrath of God. He stood in my place. I am offended by my own sin. My sin is offensive to me. It is offensive to God. And it was so offensive, He turned His back on His Son.\r\n\r\nThe name of \"Good Friday\" is filled with irony. It was a horrific day. An awful day. But it bought me redemption.\r\n\r\nI\'m not brought to remembrance of those things by seeing untanned modern men on a cross by the side of the road. I am reminded of it when I read Scripture. And the passerby who does not know needs to be told by a messenger. A messenger who understands the proclamation - \"Go forth and preach to the nations.\"\r\n\r\nGood Friday and Resurrection Sunday are not days of reenactment. They are days of proclamation. Days of reflection. Resurrection Sunday in particular, is a day of celebration when we recall Jesus\' victory over sin and death once and for all.\r\n\r\nSo, I\'ll ignore those who want to put on a play, I suppose. The words of the Bible are the way we remember. Christ revealed himself as the Word and it is in the word that we will find solace.\r\n\r\n____________________________\r\n\r\nAdditional thoughts on the living crucifixion scenes:\r\n\r\nI just had a discussion with my friend about these scenes. His point was that these scenes might give passerby\'s a notion to stop into the church and ask about Christ. The response? No, they don\'t. They are about as helpful as cliche church signs. I was a member of a church that did living crucifixions and the pastor told me that they never had anyone visit who had seen the living crucifixion.\r\n\r\nMy friend also had a thought: \"<em>What if one person saw it and got saved?</em>\" Response - that\'s an argument from pragmatism. It\'s akin to the youth rally preacher who asks all the youth at the event to pray the sinners prayer and then says, \"<em>Anyone who prayed that prayer, come up front, you\'re saved.</em>\" At times, I\'ve heard of 400-800 kids responding. The reality? Less than 1% of the kids are saved. The rest have a false sense of security about their salvation. But the response of most is, \"Well, but what if one kid got saved?\" Our methods are poor.\r\n\r\nOn Good Friday at one of these living nativities, I saw forty church members there. What if those church members instead decided to share the gospel with their friends and loved ones directly? What if they decided to show the love of Christ to those around them? I guarantee a better result. A community filled with the love of Christ and changed lives.','Post-Good Friday Traumatic Stress','','inherit','open','open','','5881-revision-6','','','2012-04-08 19:47:33','2012-04-09 02:47:33','',5881,'http://provoketive.com/2012/04/08/5881-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(5646,1,'2012-03-25 20:47:07','2012-03-26 03:47:07','','2012','','inherit','open','open','','2012','','','2012-03-25 20:47:07','2012-03-26 03:47:07','',5423,'http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/2012.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(5647,1,'2012-03-16 07:42:42','2012-03-16 14:42:42','According to the Mayan calendar, the world is coming to an end on December 21<sup>st</sup> of 2012.   Actually, many Mayan scholars believe the completion of the long-form calendar does not mean that the Mayans thought the world would end.   It could mean it’s the end of a major cycle, or maybe they simply ran out of room on their big stone wheel.   But don’t tell that to the present-day doomsayers who have been busy spinning scenarios for the destruction of the planet, including asteroids, black holes, solar flares, and the earth reversing polarity.\r\n\r\nWhile it’s easy to ridicule the notion that an ancient Indian culture would be able to pinpoint the end of the world, it might be worthwhile to ask the question, ‘What if….?’    What if the Mayans had special insight and/or were in contact with a supra-intelligence which told them when the world would end?  And if the end of this year is really it, how would that change the way we live the last few months we have left?    More specifically, what would I want to do to prepare for the end?\r\n\r\nThe revelation that my life was about end might jar an insight out of me, taking me in a totally different direction.  Since I (thankfully) don\'t have privy to that perspective, I can only guess that my first reaction would be to go through my bucket list, checking off things I always wanted to do before I die.  Before that, I’d need to come up with a bucket list.  If Hollywood is my guide, I would be sky diving, surfing the big waves, climbing a mountain, running with the bulls, standing on the bow of a ship and yelling, “I’m king of the world.”   Those activities look great in the movies and, if they didn’t kill me, I’m sure they’d give me an adrenalin rush.   But is chasing a “high” really how I want to spend the end of my life?   More importantly, those aren’t things that are close to my heart.\r\n\r\nThere are a few places I’m curious about, such as seeing the Egyptian (or Mayan) pyramids, or visiting Nepal and Tibet in the Himalayas.   It would be cool to go on an African safari or float down the Amazon River.   Maybe I’m jaded, but the effort required to get to an exotic location almost counters whatever I expect to see there.   It might be nice to spend a couple of weeks on a tropical island, just lying on the beach, swimming with dolphins, drinking Mai Tais.   The reality is, I’d probably end up sunburned, bitten by a jelly fish, and hung-over.   And, at the end of the day, there isn’t any place I can go that is going to make my life more complete.\r\n\r\nIf thrill-seeking or world traveling isn’t enough, I can’t imagine NBC’s fall line-up would hold much allure as the final days ticked away.  Yes, I can live without 30 Rock and The Office.   Although I’d really like to see President Obama win re-election, he wouldn’t even have a chance to start a second term.   Politics, business, finance, sports….Everything that occupies my mind on a daily basis would be meaningless.   So, what does that leave?  What is really important when all the distractions are stripped away?   And let’s face it; most things are distractions when it comes down to it.\r\n\r\nAs I write this, I’m preparing to go to my Aunt Ginny’s funeral (which may be a reason why this topic is on my mind).   Aunt Ginny was a sweet woman and a humble civil servant who worked incredibly hard for her family, as well as the State of Tennessee.   While I didn’t know her inner thoughts, she seemed content with her life.   Even when a stroke severely limited her ability to speak, she continued to chatter away.  When she realized she wasn’t making any sense, she’d simply laugh and say “Fiddlesticks.”  At the end, she was ready to let go of this world.\r\n\r\nOver a year ago, my Uncle Bill passed away from pancreatic cancer.  He was a professor, spending most of his career at the Harvard Business School.   Relatively young and successful, he had the means to do almost anything with the time he had left.   Yet, he continued to read and teach, because those were the things he loved to do.   While he had written academic books, he always wanted to try his hand with a novel.  (He ended up writing three.)   When we see that the end is near and we don’t have much we want to change, that’s a good sign we’re living the way we should.\r\n\r\nFor most of us, it doesn’t make sense to actually live our lives based on a short-term time horizon.   For one thing, we would run out of money long before we ran out of breath.  There are also goals which are bigger and take longer than a few months to realize.   It’s funny how living a good life often requires a lifetime.   Still, there is something powerful about making the most of every day and living with a sense of urgency.   It might help bring some things into focus, while allowing not so-important things to fade into the background.  So, no more stalling.  The world ends December 21<sup>st</sup>.   What would I do?\r\n\r\nAfter I ran around in a state of panic, I hope I’d eventually settle down and try to be silent and listen… Listen to myself, to others, and, if He’s talking, to God.  I would want to make sure I had resolved any issues with my family and friends and, possibly, any enemies too.   I’d probably spend quite a bit of time in prayer and meditation….Not because I’m so holy; mostly because I’m scared and guilt-ridden.    If all we have is till the end of the year, I’m going to be thinking a lot about the afterlife.   Finally, if I’m quiet enough, I often find comfort in the awareness that there is a God and He cares for me.\r\n\r\nIdeally, I’d be there for others who might be freaking out.  I’d tell them that, while the end of the world is a big story, it might be overrated.   I mean, we’re all going to die; it’s just a matter of timing.   Naturally, we all want to put it off till the last minute but, if it’s inevitable, why not embrace it?   If we’ve found peace in our lives, there’s no reason we can’t find it in death too.   Or, maybe, it\'s the other way around...When we accept that the world will end for each of us; that is when we find real peace in this life.   In the immortal words of Michael Stipe of REM, “It’s the end of the world as we know it, and I feel fine.”\r\n\r\nIf the world ends on December 21st, what would you do?\r\n\r\nJeff Fulmer lives in Nashville Tennessee and is the author of the book <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Hometown-Prophet-Jeff-Fulmer/dp/1463632312/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1312940193&amp;sr=8-1\">Hometown Prophet</a>.  If God spoke through a prophet today, would we really want to hear what he has to say?   For more information, visit the <a href=\"http://www.hometownprophetbook.com/\">Hometown Prophet website</a>.   Follow on <a href=\"https://twitter.com/hometownprophet\">Twitter</a> or like on <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/HometownProphet\">Facebook</a>.<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Mayan-cal..jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-5424\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Mayan-cal.-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>','2012: The End Of The World','','inherit','open','open','','5423-revision-5','','','2012-03-16 07:42:42','2012-03-16 14:42:42','',5423,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/16/5423-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(5648,1,'2012-03-25 20:47:32','2012-03-26 03:47:32','According to the Mayan calendar, the world is coming to an end on December 21<sup>st</sup> of 2012.   Actually, many Mayan scholars believe the completion of the long-form calendar does not mean that the Mayans thought the world would end.   It could mean it’s the end of a major cycle, or maybe they simply ran out of room on their big stone wheel.   But don’t tell that to the present-day doomsayers who have been busy spinning scenarios for the destruction of the planet, including asteroids, black holes, solar flares, and the earth reversing polarity.\r\n\r\nWhile it’s easy to ridicule the notion that an ancient Indian culture would be able to pinpoint the end of the world, it might be worthwhile to ask the question, ‘What if….?’    What if the Mayans had special insight and/or were in contact with a supra-intelligence which told them when the world would end?  And if the end of this year is really it, how would that change the way we live the last few months we have left?    More specifically, what would I want to do to prepare for the end?\r\n\r\nThe revelation that my life was about end might jar an insight out of me, taking me in a totally different direction.  Since I (thankfully) don\'t have privy to that perspective, I can only guess that my first reaction would be to go through my bucket list, checking off things I always wanted to do before I die.  Before that, I’d need to come up with a bucket list.  If Hollywood is my guide, I would be sky diving, surfing the big waves, climbing a mountain, running with the bulls, standing on the bow of a ship and yelling, “I’m king of the world.”   Those activities look great in the movies and, if they didn’t kill me, I’m sure they’d give me an adrenalin rush.   But is chasing a “high” really how I want to spend the end of my life?   More importantly, those aren’t things that are close to my heart.\r\n\r\nThere are a few places I’m curious about, such as seeing the Egyptian (or Mayan) pyramids, or visiting Nepal and Tibet in the Himalayas.   It would be cool to go on an African safari or float down the Amazon River.   Maybe I’m jaded, but the effort required to get to an exotic location almost counters whatever I expect to see there.   It might be nice to spend a couple of weeks on a tropical island, just lying on the beach, swimming with dolphins, drinking Mai Tais.   The reality is, I’d probably end up sunburned, bitten by a jelly fish, and hung-over.   And, at the end of the day, there isn’t any place I can go that is going to make my life more complete.\r\n\r\nIf thrill-seeking or world traveling isn’t enough, I can’t imagine NBC’s fall line-up would hold much allure as the final days ticked away.  Yes, I can live without 30 Rock and The Office.   Although I’d really like to see President Obama win re-election, he wouldn’t even have a chance to start a second term.   Politics, business, finance, sports….Everything that occupies my mind on a daily basis would be meaningless.   So, what does that leave?  What is really important when all the distractions are stripped away?   And let’s face it; most things are distractions when it comes down to it.\r\n\r\nAs I write this, I’m preparing to go to my Aunt Ginny’s funeral (which may be a reason why this topic is on my mind).   Aunt Ginny was a sweet woman and a humble civil servant who worked incredibly hard for her family, as well as the State of Tennessee.   While I didn’t know her inner thoughts, she seemed content with her life.   Even when a stroke severely limited her ability to speak, she continued to chatter away.  When she realized she wasn’t making any sense, she’d simply laugh and say “Fiddlesticks.”  At the end, she was ready to let go of this world.\r\n\r\nOver a year ago, my Uncle Bill passed away from pancreatic cancer.  He was a professor, spending most of his career at the Harvard Business School.   Relatively young and successful, he had the means to do almost anything with the time he had left.   Yet, he continued to read and teach, because those were the things he loved to do.   While he had written academic books, he always wanted to try his hand with a novel.  (He ended up writing three.)   When we see that the end is near and we don’t have much we want to change, that’s a good sign we’re living the way we should.\r\n\r\nFor most of us, it doesn’t make sense to actually live our lives based on a short-term time horizon.   For one thing, we would run out of money long before we ran out of breath.  There are also goals which are bigger and take longer than a few months to realize.   It’s funny how living a good life often requires a lifetime.   Still, there is something powerful about making the most of every day and living with a sense of urgency.   It might help bring some things into focus, while allowing not so-important things to fade into the background.  So, no more stalling.  The world ends December 21<sup>st</sup>.   What would I do?\r\n\r\nAfter I ran around in a state of panic, I hope I’d eventually settle down and try to be silent and listen… Listen to myself, to others, and, if He’s talking, to God.  I would want to make sure I had resolved any issues with my family and friends and, possibly, any enemies too.   I’d probably spend quite a bit of time in prayer and meditation….Not because I’m so holy; mostly because I’m scared and guilt-ridden.    If all we have is till the end of the year, I’m going to be thinking a lot about the afterlife.   Finally, if I’m quiet enough, I often find comfort in the awareness that there is a God and He cares for me.\r\n\r\nIdeally, I’d be there for others who might be freaking out.  I’d tell them that, while the end of the world is a big story, it might be overrated.   I mean, we’re all going to die; it’s just a matter of timing.   Naturally, we all want to put it off till the last minute but, if it’s inevitable, why not embrace it?   If we’ve found peace in our lives, there’s no reason we can’t find it in death too.   Or, maybe, it\'s the other way around...When we accept that the world will end for each of us; that is when we find real peace in this life.   In the immortal words of Michael Stipe of REM, “It’s the end of the world as we know it, and I feel fine.”\r\n\r\nIf the world ends on December 21st, what would you do?\r\n\r\nJeff Fulmer lives in Nashville Tennessee and is the author of the book <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Hometown-Prophet-Jeff-Fulmer/dp/1463632312/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1312940193&amp;sr=8-1\">Hometown Prophet</a>.  If God spoke through a prophet today, would we really want to hear what he has to say?   For more information, visit the <a href=\"http://www.hometownprophetbook.com/\">Hometown Prophet website</a>.   Follow on <a href=\"https://twitter.com/hometownprophet\">Twitter</a> or like on <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/HometownProphet\">Facebook</a>.<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Mayan-cal..jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-5424\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Mayan-cal.-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>','2012: The End Of The World','','inherit','open','open','','5423-revision-6','','','2012-03-25 20:47:32','2012-03-26 03:47:32','',5423,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/25/5423-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(5649,153,'2012-03-23 08:18:09','2012-03-23 15:18:09','[caption id=\"attachment_5571\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"487\" caption=\"usage rights secured via dreamstime.com\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-5571\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"487\" height=\"199\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n<h2>The Ongoing Identity Theft of Jesus</h2>\r\nThe divinity of Jesus has been questioned for thousands of years.\r\n\r\nIt\'s not surprising that one of the first recorded instances of this divine doubt occurred before Jesus officially started his ministry. According to the gospel of Matthew, Jesus was fasting in the desert for 40 days when the devil approached him in the wasteland - questioning the Lord\'s deistic attributes.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Appetite</h3>\r\nWe read in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A3-4&amp;version=NKJV\">Matthew 4:3-4</a> that the tempter questioned that if Jesus was indeed the Son of God, then Jesus would be able to turn nearby rock piles warmed by the desert sun into piles of warm bread. Jesus parried with the classic, \"...<em>man shall not live by bread alone...</em>\" verbal retort despite the gnawing hunger in his human belly. This exchange points as proof that both individuals knew that Jesus was both God and man, yet Jesus wasn\'t compelled to prove that point to anybody.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Prophecy</h3>\r\nSubsequently the devil quoted scripture to Jesus, as seen in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A5-7&amp;version=NIV\">Matthew 4:5-7</a>, where the adversary asserted that Jesus could fling himself from the cliff and the \"<em>...angels would bear him up...</em>\" in a seeming appeal for Jesus to fulfill prophecy written centuries before that the Messiah would have to die. Jesus didn\'t fall for it - figuratively nor literally. The scriptures state that Jesus was closely attuned to the will and timing of God, and that his time of death had not yet come - further solidifying his deity identity.\r\n<h3>Appealing to Compassion</h3>\r\nThe chapter goes on to state in <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Matthew+4.8-11/\">Matthew 4:8-11</a> that the devil changed tactics and tried to appeal to Christ\'s love of humanity by offering him the world which had been subjected to demonic control since \"The Fall\" in Eden, in exchange for Jesus falling to his knees to worship the first fallen angel.\r\n\r\nHad Jesus agreed to this quick-fix alternative to salvation - and he could have - the earth might have been redeemed but not the way that God had wanted. Jesus understood that fact because of his celestial connection to the Father.\r\n\r\nOne stern rebuke from Jesus and the devil left.  While Jesus\' divine identity had been challenged it was not diminished in any way.\r\n\r\nHowever, had Jesus yielded to any of those temptation attempts it would have resulted in the most epic identity theft in the history of the universe because the devil would have ascended above the Most High.\r\n\r\nAgain, the fact that Jesus knew who he was prevented that theft from happening.\r\n<h3>Other Divine Identity Theft Attempts</h3>\r\nRegardless, throughout the remainder of Jesus\' recorded life the scriptures state that his heavenly sonship continued to be questioned. Perhaps most notable are several examples that occurred at the time of his crucifixion:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Roman guards beat and mocked Jesus demanding a display of his power - <a href=\"http://bible.cc/luke/22-64.htm\">Luke 22:64</a> and <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A36-38&amp;version=AMP\">Luke 23:36-38</a></li>\r\n	<li>The magistrate Herod similarly demanded a miracle - <a href=\"http://www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?q=Luke%2023:8-11\">Luke 23: 8-11</a></li>\r\n	<li>One of the thieves crucified along side of Jesus also demanded a sign and power display - <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Luke+23.39-43/\">Luke 23:39-43</a></li>\r\n	<li>As well as local leaders who stood and watched Jesus die, while questioning his divinity claim - <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A33-35&amp;version=NIV\">Luke 33:35</a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h3>Restraint Was Jesus\' Greatest Miracle</h3>\r\nPerhaps one of the most interesting yet overlooked aspects of Jesus\' identity was that he never felt compelled to prove himself to anybody.\r\n\r\nHe knew who he was.\r\n\r\nThroughout all of scripture, Jesus wasn\'t moved to perform miracles by violence, coercion or even threat of death. He did however move in the miraculous when he was moved by compassion, faith and the simple realization by the needy that he was indeed, who he said he was.\r\n\r\nAccording to the bible, those who recognized his true identity as the son of God were the only ones who received his miracles and blessings.\r\n\r\nEven while hanging on the cross, amidst the sneering jeers to save himself and thereby prove his divinity to the people, Jesus knew that if he came down off that tree his true identity as a sinless sacrifice and sole path for redemption would have been abdicated and his divine mission forfeited.\r\n\r\nJesus was the only one who knew that, and his restraint to maintain that identity ultimately reconciled us back to the Father.\r\n<h3>Hijacking Jesus\' Identity Today</h3>\r\nFast forward 2,000 years to the current era where we routinely, albeit unwittingly perhaps, try to strip Jesus of his divinity today.\r\n\r\nWe do that when believers and non-believers alike give God an ultimatum that we will <em><strong>only</strong></em> believe in him if he acts or intervenes on our behalf for healing, finances, peace, relational restoration or any other legitimate need within our pre-specified time line.\r\n\r\nBut when we make such demands, how are we any different from those in the bible who goaded God to act - such as the robber, Herod, the centurions or even Satan himself?\r\n\r\nWe aren\'t.\r\n\r\nHopefully we can identify with that personal failing on our part and find grace waiting in the arms of a loving savior who can identify with every aspect of our frailties.','Hijacking Jesus\' Identity','','inherit','open','open','','5552-revision-63','','','2012-03-23 08:18:09','2012-03-23 15:18:09','',5552,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/23/5552-revision-63/',0,'revision','',0),(5650,1,'2012-03-27 14:56:19','2012-03-27 21:56:19','[caption id=\"attachment_5571\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"487\" caption=\"usage rights secured via dreamstime.com\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-5571\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calvary_image-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"487\" height=\"199\" /></a>[/caption]\n<h2>The Ongoing Identity Theft of Jesus</h2>\nThe divinity of Jesus has been questioned for thousands of years.\n\nIt\'s not surprising that one of the first recorded instances of this divine doubt occurred before Jesus officially started his ministry. According to the gospel of Matthew, Jesus was fasting in the desert for 40 days when the devil approached him in the wasteland - questioning the Lord\'s deistic attributes.\n<h3>Appealing to Appetite</h3>\nWe read in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A3-4&amp;version=NKJV\">Matthew 4:3-4</a> that the tempter questioned that if Jesus was indeed the Son of God, then Jesus would be able to turn nearby rock piles warmed by the desert sun into piles of warm bread. Jesus parried with the classic, \"...<em>man shall not live by bread alone...</em>\" verbal retort despite the gnawing hunger in his human belly. This exchange points as proof that both individuals knew that Jesus was both God and man, yet Jesus wasn\'t compelled to prove that point to anybody.\n<h3>Appealing to Prophecy</h3>\nSubsequently the devil quoted scripture to Jesus, as seen in <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A5-7&amp;version=NIV\">Matthew 4:5-7</a>, where the adversary asserted that Jesus could fling himself from the cliff and the \"<em>...angels would bear him up...</em>\" in a seeming appeal for Jesus to fulfill prophecy written centuries before that the Messiah would have to die. Jesus didn\'t fall for it - figuratively nor literally. The scriptures state that Jesus was closely attuned to the will and timing of God, and that his time of death had not yet come - further solidifying his deity identity.\n<h3>Appealing to Compassion</h3>\nThe chapter goes on to state in <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Matthew+4.8-11/\">Matthew 4:8-11</a> that the devil changed tactics and tried to appeal to Christ\'s love of humanity by offering him the world which had been subjected to demonic control since \"The Fall\" in Eden, in exchange for Jesus falling to his knees to worship the first fallen angel.\n\nHad Jesus agreed to this quick-fix alternative to salvation - and he could have - the earth might have been redeemed but not the way that God had wanted. Jesus understood that fact because of his celestial connection to the Father.\n\nOne stern rebuke from Jesus and the devil left.  While Jesus\' divine identity had been challenged it was not diminished in any way.\n\nHowever, had Jesus yielded to any of those temptation attempts it would have resulted in the most epic identity theft in the history of the universe because the devil would have ascended above the Most High.\n\nAgain, the fact that Jesus knew who he was prevented that theft from happening.\n<h3>Other Divine Identity Theft Attempts</h3>\nRegardless, throughout the remainder of Jesus\' recorded life the scriptures state that his heavenly sonship continued to be questioned. Perhaps most notable are several examples that occurred at the time of his crucifixion:\n<ul>\n	<li>Roman guards beat and mocked Jesus demanding a display of his power - <a href=\"http://bible.cc/luke/22-64.htm\">Luke 22:64</a> and <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A36-38&amp;version=AMP\">Luke 23:36-38</a></li>\n	<li>The magistrate Herod similarly demanded a miracle - <a href=\"http://www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?q=Luke%2023:8-11\">Luke 23: 8-11</a></li>\n	<li>One of the thieves crucified along side of Jesus also demanded a sign and power display - <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/Luke+23.39-43/\">Luke 23:39-43</a></li>\n	<li>As well as local leaders who stood and watched Jesus die, while questioning his divinity claim - <a href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A33-35&amp;version=NIV\">Luke 33:35</a></li>\n</ul>\n<h3>Restraint Was Jesus\' Greatest Miracle</h3>\nPerhaps one of the most interesting yet overlooked aspects of Jesus\' identity was that he never felt compelled to prove himself to anybody.\n\nHe knew who he was.\n\nThroughout all of scripture, Jesus wasn\'t moved to perform miracles by violence, coercion or even threat of death. He did however move in the miraculous when he was moved by compassion, faith and the simple realization by the needy that he was indeed, who he said he was.\n\nAccording to the bible, those who recognized his true identity as the son of God were the only ones who received his miracles and blessings.\n\nEven while hanging on the cross, amidst the sneering jeers to save himself and thereby prove his divinity to the people, Jesus knew that if he came down off that tree his true identity as a sinless sacrifice and sole path for redemption would have been abdicated and his divine mission forfeited.\n\nJesus was the only one who knew that, and his restraint to maintain that identity ultimately reconciled us back to the Father.\n<h3>Hijacking Jesus\' Identity Today</h3>\nFast forward 2,000 years to the current era where we routinely, albeit unwittingly perhaps, try to strip Jesus of his divinity today.\n\nWe do that when believers and non-believers alike give God an ultimatum that we will <em><strong>only</strong></em> believe in him if he acts or intervenes on our behalf for healing, finances, peace, relational restoration or any other legitimate need within our pre-specified time line.\n\nBut when we make such demands, how are we any different from those in the bible who goaded God to act - such as the robber, Herod, the centurions or even Satan himself?\n\nWe aren\'t.\n\nHopefully we can identify with that personal failing on our part and find grace waiting in the arms of a loving savior who can identify with every aspect of our frailties.','Hijacking Jesus\' Identity','','inherit','open','open','','5552-autosave','','','2012-03-27 14:56:19','2012-03-27 21:56:19','',5552,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/26/5552-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(5652,46,'2012-03-28 08:00:42','2012-03-28 15:00:42','No doubt many have you noticed most of your Facebook friends posting pictures of themselves wearing hoodies. This is to show solidarity with the friends and family of Trayvon Martin, a seventeen-year-old black teen who was shot by a neighborhood watchman. Although Martin was unarmed, several people--most famously <a href=\"http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/23/geraldo-rivera-trayvon-martin-hoodie_n_1375080.html?ref=media\">Geraldo Rivera</a>--commented that if Trayvon wasn\'t wearing a hoodie, he wouldn\'t have looked so \"suspicious.\" Which is basically like telling a rape victim that her dress caused her to be raped. So this weekend I, along with many others, changed my profile picture as a way to mourn with those who mourn.\r\n\r\nHowever, I wouldn\'t go so far as to say, \"I am Trayvon Martin.\" I feel like that\'s borderline <a href=\"http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/privilege-denying-dude\">Privilege Denying Dude</a>. As a white man, it\'s pretty safe to say I will never \"look suspicious\" enough for someone to call the cops on me. I will never know what it\'s like to have someone look me up and down to see if I\'m carrying a gun. I wish I could say that in 2012 we live in a post-racial society, but it\'s not true. And I think Trayvon Martin\'s death proves this.\r\n\r\nI also can\'t deny the fact that, in some way, I\'m almost like George Zimmerman, the guy who shot Trayvon. Don\'t get me wrong, I\'m NOT making a direct comparison. But how many times have I unfairly judged someone because of the way he or she looked? How many times have I automatically assumed that someone\'s going to be trouble? I\'m not saying Zimmerman shouldn\'t be brought to justice. Far from it! But how can I pretend to be high and mighty when I\'ve unfairly judged people, too?\r\n\r\nIf any good comes out of Trayvon Martin\'s death, I hope that it starts a conversation about privilege and justice. And I hope you all will pray with me that justice will flow on like a river.','On Hoodies, Privilege, and Solidarity','','publish','open','open','','on-hoodies-privilege-and-solidarity','','','2012-03-27 15:04:00','2012-03-27 22:04:00','',0,'http://provoketive.com/?p=5652',0,'post','',3),(5653,46,'2012-03-26 09:57:31','2012-03-26 16:57:31','No doubt many have you noticed most of your Facebook friends posting pictures of themselves wearing hoodies. This is to show solidarity with the friends and family of Trayvon Martin, a seventeen-year-old black teen who was shot by a neighborhood watchman. Although Martin was unarmed, several people--most famously <a href=\"http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/23/geraldo-rivera-trayvon-martin-hoodie_n_1375080.html?ref=media\">Geraldo Rivera</a>--commented that if Trayvon wasn\'t wearing a hoodie, he wouldn\'t have looked so \"suspicious.\" Which is basically like telling a rape victim that her dress caused her to be raped. So this weekend I, along with many others, changed my profile picture as a way to mourn with those who mourn.\n\nHowever, I wouldn\'t go so far as to say, \"I am Trayvon Martin.\" I feel like that\'s borderline <a href=\"http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/privilege-denying-dude\">Privilege Denying Dude</a>. As a white man, it\'s pretty safe to say I will never \"look suspicious\" enough for someone to call the cops on me. I will never know what it\'s like to have someone look me up and down to see if I\'m carrying a gun. I wish I could say that in 2012 we live in a post-racial society, but it\'s not true. And I think Trayvon Martin\'s death proves this.\n\nI also can\'t deny the fact that, in some way, I\'m almost like George Zimmerman, the guy who shot Trayvon. Don\'t get me wrong, I\'m NOT making a direct comparison. But how many times have I unfairly judged someone because of the way he or she looked? How many times have I automatically assumed that someone\'s going to be trouble? I\'m not saying Zimmerman shouldn\'t be brought to justice. Far from it! But how can I pretend to be high and mighty when I\'ve unfairly judged people, too?\n\nIf any good comes out of Trayvon Martin\'s death, I hope that it starts a conversation about privilege and justice. And I hope you all will pray with me that justice will flow on like a river.','On Hoodies, Privilege, and Solidarity','','inherit','open','open','','5652-revision','','','2012-03-26 09:57:31','2012-03-26 16:57:31','',5652,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/26/5652-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(8163,198,'2012-12-17 11:40:27','2012-12-17 19:40:27','The tragedy in Connecticut has once again thrown Americans into a tailspin. None of us can wrap our heads around the horror of it. We can’t find a reason for what happened. In our bewilderment, there are no words to say.\r\n\r\nOf course, that doesn’t mean that some well-meaning Christian folks don’t try to come up with <em>something</em> since apparently any God-awful answer trumps silence on any and all current events. Here is some of the Facebook wisdom that some have offered up as a reason for what happened: “How does Barack Hussein Obama have the nerve to get up and quote scripture and offer prayers for the children of Sandy Hook? Maybe if scripture and prayer were still allowed in schools, this would have been avoided?” Christians have reposted en mass the cartoon showing someone asking, “Why didn’t God stop the shooting?” to which another responds, “How could He? He’s not allowed in school anymore.”\r\n\r\nAlthough my Facebook has become a public page since I had my book published (so I try to be somewhat benign with my posts) I am also a public school teacher. I had to weigh in. I wrote on my wall: “I love you all. I really do. But the next person who shows up on my thread with a post about God not being in public schools will be deleted and blocked. Think before you click.”\r\n\r\nLet’s clarify.\r\n\r\nBelieve me when I tell you, prayer has never been banned from the public schools in this country. Ever. As my good friend (and co-contributor for Provoketive e-Magazine) Cody Stauffer said yesterday on my thread, “Unfortunately, many have a problem distinguishing the difference between ‘endorsed’ and ‘allowed.’ It goes hand in hand with the idea that, if we\'re not in the a place of privilege, than we must be getting persecuted, or if others aren\'t losing, than I\'m not winning.”\r\n\r\nHe’s brilliant, and he’s my friend.\r\n\r\nThe law regarding prayer in school simply provides that I can’t make my students pray to the Guy (or Gal) I pray to. This is a good law since I could send my own son to school without having to worry if someone who did not share my own religious convictions would force him to pray to some guy (or gal) I have not signed off on.\r\n\r\nEverybody with me?\r\n\r\nHowever, we’ve brought up a few generations now (since Madeline Murray O’Hare whom Christians have vilified mercilessly) who don’t pray in schools because they believe that they are not allowed to—NOT because the law have told them that they can’t and NOT because public schools have told them that they can’t—but because CHRISTIANS have told them that they can’t. And because they’re so <em>loud</em>, children among others assume that they’re <em>correct</em>.\r\n\r\nPonder the irony of <em>that</em> for one brief moment.\r\n\r\nYou know that “thirty seconds of silence” that public schools provide for students after we say the Pledge of Allegiance? (Yes, we still say the Pledge of Allegiance contrary to what you’ve heard.) Yeah, we provide that time so that kids can PRAY. Some schools still do it daily. Most schools provide it in times like these, when we’ve suffered a national tragedy or when we should be mindful of past grief such as the anniversary of 9-11.\r\n\r\nTo insinuate that this tragedy occurred because the “liberals” have taken prayer out of schools is straight up stupid and hurtful and wrong. I’m not trying to be mean here if you’re one of the ones who threw that crap up on your Facebook page, but damn. If you don’t know what you’re talking about, shut UP. You are making it harder for the rest of us who aren’t looking to fix this world with the next zinger of a sound bite. We’re looking simply to wrap our arms and hearts around those who are broken—and right now that’s a whole lotta people. One of our problems is, they think we’re <em>you</em>.\r\n\r\nSilence is golden.','Thirty Seconds Of Silence','','publish','open','open','','thirty-seconds-of-silence','','','2012-12-17 11:40:27','2012-12-17 19:40:27','',0,'http://provoketive.com/?p=8163',0,'post','',20),(7389,140,'2012-08-08 08:00:20','2012-08-08 15:00:20','“Take up your cross and follow me.” ~Jesus\r\n\r\nAs I reflect on the severely polarized and politicized struggles within American Christianity it is evident how little these struggles really have to do with Jesus. Both sides are more interested in isolating an ideology and then vilifying those who hold a different view. And of course, we are all convinced that our ideology is more “biblical” than any other. In all honesty, I think we hold on for dear life to our stances and beliefs so that we may convince ourselves that this is what Jesus really wants from us. It’s like a collective thought disorder. But it’s much easier than following him.\r\n\r\nBecause honestly, who really wants to follow him?\r\n\r\nHe did the very thing that our American worldview does not allow. We are all about being upwardly mobile, successful, safe and prosperous and so we have co-opted God into that belief. We believe that God is all about blessing our efforts and that our success proves God’s favor. Our Christianity has become a prop for middle to upper class comfort and security. That ideal is found nowhere in the gospels. Jesus movement was decidedly downward. He moved right into the neighborhood of powerlessness and need.\r\n\r\nI think what is most difficult for us is that Jesus, though already fairly poor, chose to become homeless. He claimed all humanity as his family and moved away from his nuclear family, which in his culture was a shameful act. (He obviously needs a tutorial in family values.) But in addition to that, while most good Jewish men of his age would have married and started having children, his singleness aligned him with the “non-procreators”, like eunuchs, who were considered unclean and inferior. There were no categories of gay or straight in Jesus’ day; people were either procreative or non-procreative. Those who did not or could not produce children for any reason were suspect, or outcast. (See Jesus’ words in Matt. 19:11-12.) He chose solidarity with the most despised.\r\n\r\nWe know he treated women as full and competent disciples, he welcomed the stranger and the sick, touched the dead, and healed the children of the enemy. In his presence the tight miserly hands that held onto precious silver and gold opened wide. He undermined every structure of religion and empire and really, really ticked off those with power. Let’s just be honest. It’s far, far easier and safer to convince ourselves that being pro-life and justifying the harsh realities of the lives of those with less (money, resources, opportunity), or feeling superior for being more tolerant than thou, is somehow at all like the path Jesus walked. So Jesus asks us to pick up the instrument of our death and to follow where he goes. Any sane person would count the cost. Any sane person would struggle with it, because to follow Jesus means that we no longer get to co-opt the faith to make our own lives work.\r\n\r\nMost of those whom I know consider themselves to be “biblical” Christians feel that the “dying” that is asked of them means they reject the “world” and its values (hence the dogged political views). However, I wonder if how we have come to understand “the world” has become quite distorted. Blogger and Wild Goose Founder Mike Morrell says, “Jesus was referring to the world of principalities and powers, those inhuman and dehumanizing forces of religion and empire. He wasn’t referring to culture-as-such, and certainly not to planet earth. Millions of friends-of-God are awakening to the reality that we live in a God-blessed and God-beloved world that God still thinks is ‘very good,’ however marred by egoic haze and degradation its become. We’re all connected – for life or death.”\r\n\r\nAnd there it is. What will “kill” us is following Jesus’ movement into the God-blessed and God-beloved world, and receiving those for whom Christ died as we would Christ Himself. That means making a home with them, here. That means looking beyond political and doctrinal divisions into the eyes of all humanity, not to minister to them or over them, but to join them and work alongside them. Jesus asks us to do the very thing our religious and political hearts find abhorrent. But by making space within ourselves to receive the other, we are changed by them and ego dies. We begin to become less defined by our certainties and stances, and more defined by love, by becoming “we”. And Kingdom comes. That was Jesus’ prayer for us before he died, and his prayer for us as he continues to live.\r\n\r\nIt’s much easier to convince ourselves that we are following Jesus by choosing to eat or not eat at a certain chicken restaurant. It’s much harder to share your table with those whom you have decided don’t belong. It’s even harder to admit that there is only One Table. However, we are going to need each other because let’s face it, Jesus’ path is more than a little crazy. It will cost us our lives.','Follow Me','','publish','open','open','','follow-me','','','2012-08-01 17:26:20','2012-08-02 00:26:20','',0,'http://provoketive.com/?p=7389',0,'post','',3),(7390,140,'2012-08-01 15:59:46','2012-08-01 22:59:46','','Auto Draft','','inherit','open','open','','7389-revision','','','2012-08-01 15:59:46','2012-08-01 22:59:46','',7389,'http://provoketive.com/2012/08/01/7389-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(5655,1,'2012-05-26 10:55:55','0000-00-00 00:00:00','Recently I had the pleasure of listening to a missionary to foreign country share his stories of grace and mercy in this far off land.  He recounted how the people he worked with did and often encounter persecution and oppression, where the Bible is illegal.  The stories were passionate and inspiring, evidenced by the applause and awes that followed each story.  But then he end by saying he lives here in the US, and that he doesn\'t live in persecution and oppression. He lives in a local community by my home that is actually thriving.\n\nAnd my first thought was that I know that community.  It\'s fairly diverse in culture and race and is thriving, as he said.  But my second thought was that there is a different kind of oppression within this community, one that is extremely easy to miss. In fact, the American dream is built on this kind of oppression.  It\'s the kind that allows us not to care.  These are homes that cost no less than 700k and include some of the better (but not the best) schools in the area.  (For that you need to begin at 1 million.) But this community is filled with people who have climbed the ladder and achieved the American dream.  They work in the technology companies that fill Silicon Valley.  And the primary advantage of that dream is to pull up to your home at the end of the day, hide away, and not care.\n\nDon\'t get me wrong.  Some do care.  Some use their wealth and luxury for good in the same way my friend shared.  But the oppression is easier to miss.  The loss of relationship that comes from wealth is far more devious than we can imagine.','A Different Kind of Oppression','','draft','open','open','','','','','2012-05-26 10:55:55','2012-05-26 17:55:55','',0,'http://provoketive.com/?p=5655',0,'post','',0),(5656,1,'2012-03-26 18:19:15','2012-03-27 01:19:15','Recently I had the pleasure of listening to a missionary to foreign country share his stories of grace and mercy in this far off land.  He recounted how the people he worked with did and often encounter persecution and oppression, where the Bible is illegal.  The stories were passionate and inspiring, evidenced by the applause and awes that followed each story.  But then he end by saying he lives here in the US, and that he doesn\'t live in persecution and oppression. He lives in a local community by my home that is actually thriving.\n\nAnd my first thought was that I know that community.  It\'s fairly diverse in culture and race and is thriving, as he said.  But my second thought was that there is a different kind of oppression within this community, one that is extremely easy to miss. In fact, the American dream is built on this kind of oppression.  It\'s the kind that allows us not to care.  These are homes that cost no less than 700k and include some of the better (but not the best) schools in the area.  (For that you need to begin at 1 million.) But this community is filled with people who have climbed the ladder and achieved the American dream.  They work in the technology companies that fill Silicon Valley.  And the primary advantage of that dream is to pull up to your home at the end of the day, hide away, and not care.\n\nDon\'t get me wrong.  Some do care.  Some use their wealth and luxury for good in the same','A Different Kind of Oppression','','inherit','open','open','','5655-revision','','','2012-03-26 18:19:15','2012-03-27 01:19:15','',5655,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/26/5655-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(5658,134,'2012-03-20 05:24:26','2012-03-20 12:24:26','<img src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/An6LGApCAAI61t9-227x300.jpg\" alt=\"#ididnotreport\" width=\"227\" height=\"300\" align=\"right\" />What can a hashtag like <em><a title=\"#ididnotreport\" href=\"http://twitter.com/search/#ididnotreport\" target=\"_blank\">#ididnotreport</a></em> (<em>I did not report</em>) do for a social network like <a title=\"Twitter\" href=\"http://www.twitter.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Twitter</a>? In the past two or three days, it\'s given many women and a few men from all parts of the world an outlet to express their feelings on their experiences with rape and/or other forms of sexual abuse. Many have posted their reasons why they <em>didn\'t report</em> the attack(s) and/or abuse -- often blaming the system (legal, social, etc). What we\'ve considered a special event (huge all-of-a-sudden phenomenon) for the past several days in a social network (in this case, <a title=\"Twitter\" href=\"http://www.twitter.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Twitter</a>) hasn\'t been covered by big newscasters leaving bloggers with the duty to report it. This is shamefully pathetic, but this might be the <em>rape culture</em> many have referred to -- what an eye opener!\r\n\r\nOther tags that\'ve come out as a result of <em><a title=\"#ididnotreport\" href=\"http://twitter.com/search/#ididnotreport\" target=\"_blank\">#ididnotreport</a></em> are\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li><em><a title=\"#ididreport\" href=\"http://twitter.com/search/#ididreport\" target=\"_blank\">#ididreport</a></em> (<em>I did report</em>), which simply means that the survivor did report the attack and/or abuse</li>\r\n	<li>and <em><a title=\"#rapeculture\" href=\"http://twitter.com/search/#rapeculture\" target=\"_blank\">#rapeculture</a></em> (<em>rape culture</em>), which has been used to describe the vulgarity of social behavior and/or attitude toward rape survivors (<em>always the victim\'s fault</em>).</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nMost of these 140-character stories disgust me. It\'s stupid how society and the legal system victimize the survivor for a second time (if not more) right after being raped -- including emergency personnel who don\'t show any empathy to police officers who never show up.\r\n\r\nIn a cyber-world of anonymity, it\'s strange when many women and men open up to tell the world their deepest secrets -- some for the first time ever. Some are faceless and nameless, but others do have faces and names. It\'s disturbing when the person posting her experiences of being raped is still a child or when a person writes about a friend or relative committing suicide as the result of being violated.\r\n\r\nI\'ve heard some of these stories before. Some of my friends (female and male) have gone through rape or another form of sexual abuse, especially when they were children. It\'s like cycle that produces monsters who all do the same horrors again and again.\r\n\r\nBy the way, I stand by my previous <a title=\"life after sex: surviving\" href=\"http://christiannoob.wordpress.com/2012/02/29/life-after-sex-surviving/\" target=\"_blank\">statement</a> that rapists should be beaten and castrated.\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>My respects to the unknown woman holding the sign that reads, <em>\"My rapist doesn\'t know he\'s a rapist.\" </em>Picture used in this post.</li>\r\n</ul>','#ididnotreport','','inherit','open','open','','5480-revision-8','','','2012-03-20 05:24:26','2012-03-20 12:24:26','',5480,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/20/5480-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(5659,144,'2012-04-11 08:00:42','2012-04-11 15:00:42','<strong>Every day, I listen to NPR. I also watch Fox News on a daily basis.</strong> Jokingly, I tell people that I am either perfectly balanced or totally schizophrenic.\r\n\r\n<strong>Some of the shows on the more biased news networks </strong>are just straight forward news. Some get high marks for production excellence. Few get high marks for in-depth reporting. They each have their entertainers masquerading as journalists or news analysts who overstate their case, holding up the most extreme example from the opposing view to conveniently ridicule them. They try their darnedest to rile people up and increase their ratings; rather than help their audience truly understand an issue. These so-called news outlets are bubbles presenting their version of what is happening in the world.\r\n\r\n<strong>I have voted for Republicans and for Democrats.</strong> Politicians over promise and under deliver. Seldom do they ever finish well. Political parties are just two more bubbles so locked into ideologies and paradigms, that they have paralyzed our government.\r\n\r\n<strong>For over twenty years I was a pastor.</strong> Now that I am removed from that scene, I see the church as one of the hardiest bubbles or all. While some churches are doing great things in their communities, the vast majority of most churches resources are internalized. They emphasize to their own their need to get worshipped-up, taught-up, fixed-up, and dedicated-up in their support of the church. I find this to be generally ineffective, self-serving, and not much like Jesus.\r\n\r\n<strong>As I have attempted to venture into social service work </strong>and community involvement over the last few years, I found another bubble. Social service agencies are locked into programs that are usually funded by the government or foundations. They measure output, instead of outcome. Their client/provider paradigm is a weird symbiotic relationship in which the client becomes dependent upon the services of the agency and the agency is dependent upon having a steady stream of clients to maintain their funding.\r\n\r\n<strong>One can wonder what would happen if agencies opted out of the quick fix</strong> of the hand-out and treated people like human beings, instead of cattle, helping them with acute needs and working with them to develop and pursue their own plan for improving their life.\r\n\r\n<strong>I have never seen an open bubble.</strong> It’s very difficult to get into a bubble. People in the bubble have paid their dues. They have drunk the Kool-Aid. They have earned the favor of the other bubbliest by their adherence to principles of the bubble. Outsiders and newbies may be tolerated, but they will not be heard.\r\n\r\n<strong>It’s also hard to see out of a bubble.</strong> The rest of the world is seen through a soapy blur of refracted light. Since bubbleists are secluded in their bubble, they can only speculate about those outside. Some think the outsiders are evil and to be feared and avoided. Certainly, they are ignorant of the ways of the bubble and they “just don’t get it.”\r\n\r\nSo, it’s hard to get in and hard to see out of a bubble.\r\n\r\n<strong>Yet, bubbles are fragile.</strong> They have to be protected or all will be lost. Therefore, there are guardians of the ways of the bubble who seek to detect dangers, like someone who has different idea or a person who is asking strange questions. If the bubble breaks, it would be horrible. Bubbleists could lose their job, their pension, and their sense of significance.\r\n\r\n<strong>What if we just stopped worrying about the bubbles </strong>and the ways of the bubble? What if we just admitted that some of the bubbles may not be for everyone? What if we concluded that these societal structures simply are not serving us well? What if we quit trying the break back into the cage, I mean, bubble? What if we moved on from cataloging the faultiness of their ways and began to criticize by creating? What if we changed the system by ignoring it? What if we began to use more and more of our energy in positive ways? What if our dreams began to take flight?\r\n\r\n<strong>The unrest that we are seeing around the world indicates that some changes are in order.</strong> We are in desperate need of visionaries, entrepreneurs, creators and collaborators. So, if you have been given the left hand of fellowship or have been invited to leave a bubble, don’t despair. If you have opted out of a bubble; you are not an oddball or a troublemaker. It might just be one of the most important moves you have ever made.\r\n\r\nYou never change things by fighting the existing reality.  To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete. - Buckminster Fuller','Tiny Bubbles','','publish','open','open','','tiny-bubbles','','','2012-04-06 13:40:54','2012-04-06 20:40:54','',0,'http://provoketive.com/?p=5659',0,'post','',0),(5660,144,'2012-03-27 14:07:30','2012-03-27 21:07:30','','bubbles','','inherit','open','open','','bubbles','','','2012-03-27 14:07:30','2012-03-27 21:07:30','',5659,'http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/bubbles.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(5661,144,'2012-03-27 14:08:10','2012-03-27 21:08:10','<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/bubbles.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5660\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/bubbles.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"638\" height=\"276\" /></a>\n\n<strong>Every day, I listen to NPR. I also watch Fox News on a daily basis.</strong> Jokingly, I tell people that I am either perfectly balanced or totally schizophrenic.\n\nSome of the shows on the more biased news networks are just straight forward news. Some get high marks for production excellence. Few get high marks for in-depth reporting. They each have their entertainers masquerading as journalists or news analysts who overstate their case, holding up the most extreme example from the opposing view to conveniently ridicule them. They try their darnest to rile people up and increase their ratings; rather than help their audience truly understand an issue. These so-called news outlets are bubbles presenting their version of what is happening in the world.\n\nI have voted for Republicans and for Democrats. Politicians over promise and under deliver. Seldom do they ever finish well. Political parties are just two more bubbles so locked into ideologies and paradigms, that they have paralyzed our government.\n\nFor over twenty years I was a pastor. Now that I am removed from that scene, I see the church as one of the hardiest bubbles in our culture. While some churches are doing great things in their communities, most of most churches resources are internalized. They emphasize to their own their need to get worshipped-up, taught-up, fixed-up, and dedicated-up in their support of the church. I find this to be generally ineffective, self-serving, and not much like Jesus.\n\nAs I have attempted to venture into social service work and community involvement over the last few years, I found another bubble. Social service agencies are locked into programs that are usually funded by the government or foundations. They measure output, instead of outcome. Their client/provider paradigm is a weird symbiotic relationship in which the client becomes dependent upon the services of the agency and the agency is dependent upon having a steady stream of clients to maintain their funding.\n\nOne can wonder what would happen if agencies opted out of the quick fix of the hand-out and treated people like human beings, instead of cattle, helping them with acute needs and working with them to develop and pursue their own plan for improving their life.\n\nI have never seen an open bubble. It’s very difficult to get into a bubble. People in the bubble have paid their dues. They have drunk the Kool-Aid. They have earned the favor of the other bubbliest by their adherence to principles of the bubble. Outsiders and newbies may be tolerated, but they will not be heard.\n\nIt’s also hard to see out of a bubble. The rest of the world is seen through a soapy blur of refracted light. Since bubbleists are secluded in their bubble, they can only speculate about those outside. Some think those outside of the bubble are evil and to be feared and avoided. Certainly, they are outsiders who are ignorant of the ways of the bubble and they “just don’t get it.”\n\nSo, it’s hard to get in and hard to see out of a bubble.\n\nYet, bubbles are fragile. They have to be protected or all will be lost. Therefore, there are guardians of the ways of the bubble who seek to detect dangers, like someone who has different idea or a person who is asking strange questions. If the bubble breaks, it would be horrible. Bubbleists could lose their job, their pension, and their sense of significance.\n\nWhat if we just stopped worrying about the bubbles and the ways of the bubble? What if we just admitted that some of the bubbles may not be for everyone? What if we concluded that these societal structures simply are not serving us well? What if we quit trying the break back into the cage, I mean, bubble? What if we moved on from cataloging the faultiness of their ways and began to criticize by creating? What if we changed the system by ignoring it? What if we began to use more and more of our energy in positive ways? What if our dreams began to take flight?\n\nThe unrest that we are seeing around the world indicates that some societal structures are not serving us well. We are in desperate need of visionaries, entrepreneurs, creators and collaborators. So, if you have been given the left hand of fellowship or have been invited to leave a bubble, don’t despair. If you have opted out of a bubble; you are not an oddball or a troublemaker. It might just be one of the most important moves you have ever made.\n\n“You never change things by fighting the existing reality.  To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.” - Buckminster Fuller','Tiny Bubbles','','inherit','open','open','','5659-revision','','','2012-03-27 14:08:10','2012-03-27 21:08:10','',5659,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/27/5659-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(5662,144,'2012-03-27 14:09:21','2012-03-27 21:09:21','<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/bubbles.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5660\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/bubbles.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"638\" height=\"276\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<strong>Every day, I listen to NPR. I also watch Fox News on a daily basis.</strong> Jokingly, I tell people that I am either perfectly balanced or totally schizophrenic.\r\n\r\nSome of the shows on the more biased news networks are just straight forward news. Some get high marks for production excellence. Few get high marks for in-depth reporting. They each have their entertainers masquerading as journalists or news analysts who overstate their case, holding up the most extreme example from the opposing view to conveniently ridicule them. They try their darnest to rile people up and increase their ratings; rather than help their audience truly understand an issue. These so-called news outlets are bubbles presenting their version of what is happening in the world.\r\n\r\nI have voted for Republicans and for Democrats. Politicians over promise and under deliver. Seldom do they ever finish well. Political parties are just two more bubbles so locked into ideologies and paradigms, that they have paralyzed our government.\r\n\r\nFor over twenty years I was a pastor. Now that I am removed from that scene, I see the church as one of the hardiest bubbles in our culture. While some churches are doing great things in their communities, most of most churches resources are internalized. They emphasize to their own their need to get worshipped-up, taught-up, fixed-up, and dedicated-up in their support of the church. I find this to be generally ineffective, self-serving, and not much like Jesus.\r\n\r\nAs I have attempted to venture into social service work and community involvement over the last few years, I found another bubble. Social service agencies are locked into programs that are usually funded by the government or foundations. They measure output, instead of outcome. Their client/provider paradigm is a weird symbiotic relationship in which the client becomes dependent upon the services of the agency and the agency is dependent upon having a steady stream of clients to maintain their funding.\r\n\r\nOne can wonder what would happen if agencies opted out of the quick fix of the hand-out and treated people like human beings, instead of cattle, helping them with acute needs and working with them to develop and pursue their own plan for improving their life.\r\n\r\nI have never seen an open bubble. It’s very difficult to get into a bubble. People in the bubble have paid their dues. They have drunk the Kool-Aid. They have earned the favor of the other bubbliest by their adherence to principles of the bubble. Outsiders and newbies may be tolerated, but they will not be heard.\r\n\r\nIt’s also hard to see out of a bubble. The rest of the world is seen through a soapy blur of refracted light. Since bubbleists are secluded in their bubble, they can only speculate about those outside. Some think those outside of the bubble are evil and to be feared and avoided. Certainly, they are outsiders who are ignorant of the ways of the bubble and they “just don’t get it.”\r\n\r\nSo, it’s hard to get in and hard to see out of a bubble.\r\n\r\nYet, bubbles are fragile. They have to be protected or all will be lost. Therefore, there are guardians of the ways of the bubble who seek to detect dangers, like someone who has different idea or a person who is asking strange questions. If the bubble breaks, it would be horrible. Bubbleists could lose their job, their pension, and their sense of significance.\r\n\r\nWhat if we just stopped worrying about the bubbles and the ways of the bubble? What if we just admitted that some of the bubbles may not be for everyone? What if we concluded that these societal structures simply are not serving us well? What if we quit trying the break back into the cage, I mean, bubble? What if we moved on from cataloging the faultiness of their ways and began to criticize by creating? What if we changed the system by ignoring it? What if we began to use more and more of our energy in positive ways? What if our dreams began to take flight?\r\n\r\nThe unrest that we are seeing around the world indicates that some societal structures are not serving us well. We are in desperate need of visionaries, entrepreneurs, creators and collaborators. So, if you have been given the left hand of fellowship or have been invited to leave a bubble, don’t despair. If you have opted out of a bubble; you are not an oddball or a troublemaker. It might just be one of the most important moves you have ever made.\r\n\r\n“You never change things by fighting the existing reality.  To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.” - Buckminster Fuller','Tiny Bubbles','','inherit','open','open','','5659-revision-2','','','2012-03-27 14:09:21','2012-03-27 21:09:21','',5659,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/27/5659-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(5663,144,'2012-03-27 14:12:33','2012-03-27 21:12:33','','bubbles-1','','inherit','open','open','','bubbles-1','','','2012-03-27 14:12:33','2012-03-27 21:12:33','',5659,'http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/bubbles-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(5664,144,'2012-03-27 14:10:11','2012-03-27 21:10:11','<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/bubbles.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5660\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/bubbles.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"638\" height=\"276\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<strong>Every day, I listen to NPR. I also watch Fox News on a daily basis.</strong> Jokingly, I tell people that I am either perfectly balanced or totally schizophrenic.\r\n\r\nSome of the shows on the more biased news networks are just straight forward news. Some get high marks for production excellence. Few get high marks for in-depth reporting. They each have their entertainers masquerading as journalists or news analysts who overstate their case, holding up the most extreme example from the opposing view to conveniently ridicule them. They try their darnest to rile people up and increase their ratings; rather than help their audience truly understand an issue. These so-called news outlets are bubbles presenting their version of what is happening in the world.\r\n\r\nI have voted for Republicans and for Democrats. Politicians over promise and under deliver. Seldom do they ever finish well. Political parties are just two more bubbles so locked into ideologies and paradigms, that they have paralyzed our government.\r\n\r\nFor over twenty years I was a pastor. Now that I am removed from that scene, I see the church as one of the hardiest bubbles in our culture. While some churches are doing great things in their communities, most of most churches resources are internalized. They emphasize to their own their need to get worshipped-up, taught-up, fixed-up, and dedicated-up in their support of the church. I find this to be generally ineffective, self-serving, and not much like Jesus.\r\n\r\nAs I have attempted to venture into social service work and community involvement over the last few years, I found another bubble. Social service agencies are locked into programs that are usually funded by the government or foundations. They measure output, instead of outcome. Their client/provider paradigm is a weird symbiotic relationship in which the client becomes dependent upon the services of the agency and the agency is dependent upon having a steady stream of clients to maintain their funding.\r\n\r\nOne can wonder what would happen if agencies opted out of the quick fix of the hand-out and treated people like human beings, instead of cattle, helping them with acute needs and working with them to develop and pursue their own plan for improving their life.\r\n\r\nI have never seen an open bubble. It’s very difficult to get into a bubble. People in the bubble have paid their dues. They have drunk the Kool-Aid. They have earned the favor of the other bubbliest by their adherence to principles of the bubble. Outsiders and newbies may be tolerated, but they will not be heard.\r\n\r\nIt’s also hard to see out of a bubble. The rest of the world is seen through a soapy blur of refracted light. Since bubbleists are secluded in their bubble, they can only speculate about those outside. Some think those outside of the bubble are evil and to be feared and avoided. Certainly, they are outsiders who are ignorant of the ways of the bubble and they “just don’t get it.”\r\n\r\nSo, it’s hard to get in and hard to see out of a bubble.\r\n\r\nYet, bubbles are fragile. They have to be protected or all will be lost. Therefore, there are guardians of the ways of the bubble who seek to detect dangers, like someone who has different idea or a person who is asking strange questions. If the bubble breaks, it would be horrible. Bubbleists could lose their job, their pension, and their sense of significance.\r\n\r\nWhat if we just stopped worrying about the bubbles and the ways of the bubble? What if we just admitted that some of the bubbles may not be for everyone? What if we concluded that these societal structures simply are not serving us well? What if we quit trying the break back into the cage, I mean, bubble? What if we moved on from cataloging the faultiness of their ways and began to criticize by creating? What if we changed the system by ignoring it? What if we began to use more and more of our energy in positive ways? What if our dreams began to take flight?\r\n\r\nThe unrest that we are seeing around the world indicates that some societal structures are not serving us well. We are in desperate need of visionaries, entrepreneurs, creators and collaborators. So, if you have been given the left hand of fellowship or have been invited to leave a bubble, don’t despair. If you have opted out of a bubble; you are not an oddball or a troublemaker. It might just be one of the most important moves you have ever made.\r\n\r\n“You never change things by fighting the existing reality.  To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.” - Buckminster Fuller','Tiny Bubbles','','inherit','open','open','','5659-revision-3','','','2012-03-27 14:10:11','2012-03-27 21:10:11','',5659,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/27/5659-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(5665,144,'2012-03-27 14:17:58','2012-03-27 21:17:58','','bubbles','','inherit','open','open','','bubbles-2','','','2012-03-27 14:17:58','2012-03-27 21:17:58','',5659,'http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/bubbles1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(5666,144,'2012-03-27 14:12:50','2012-03-27 21:12:50','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/bubbles-1.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5663\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/bubbles-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"598\" height=\"212\" /></a></strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>Every day, I listen to NPR. I also watch Fox News on a daily basis.</strong> Jokingly, I tell people that I am either perfectly balanced or totally schizophrenic.\r\n\r\nSome of the shows on the more biased news networks are just straight forward news. Some get high marks for production excellence. Few get high marks for in-depth reporting. They each have their entertainers masquerading as journalists or news analysts who overstate their case, holding up the most extreme example from the opposing view to conveniently ridicule them. They try their darnest to rile people up and increase their ratings; rather than help their audience truly understand an issue. These so-called news outlets are bubbles presenting their version of what is happening in the world.\r\n\r\nI have voted for Republicans and for Democrats. Politicians over promise and under deliver. Seldom do they ever finish well. Political parties are just two more bubbles so locked into ideologies and paradigms, that they have paralyzed our government.\r\n\r\nFor over twenty years I was a pastor. Now that I am removed from that scene, I see the church as one of the hardiest bubbles in our culture. While some churches are doing great things in their communities, most of most churches resources are internalized. They emphasize to their own their need to get worshipped-up, taught-up, fixed-up, and dedicated-up in their support of the church. I find this to be generally ineffective, self-serving, and not much like Jesus.\r\n\r\nAs I have attempted to venture into social service work and community involvement over the last few years, I found another bubble. Social service agencies are locked into programs that are usually funded by the government or foundations. They measure output, instead of outcome. Their client/provider paradigm is a weird symbiotic relationship in which the client becomes dependent upon the services of the agency and the agency is dependent upon having a steady stream of clients to maintain their funding.\r\n\r\nOne can wonder what would happen if agencies opted out of the quick fix of the hand-out and treated people like human beings, instead of cattle, helping them with acute needs and working with them to develop and pursue their own plan for improving their life.\r\n\r\nI have never seen an open bubble. It’s very difficult to get into a bubble. People in the bubble have paid their dues. They have drunk the Kool-Aid. They have earned the favor of the other bubbliest by their adherence to principles of the bubble. Outsiders and newbies may be tolerated, but they will not be heard.\r\n\r\nIt’s also hard to see out of a bubble. The rest of the world is seen through a soapy blur of refracted light. Since bubbleists are secluded in their bubble, they can only speculate about those outside. Some think those outside of the bubble are evil and to be feared and avoided. Certainly, they are outsiders who are ignorant of the ways of the bubble and they “just don’t get it.”\r\n\r\nSo, it’s hard to get in and hard to see out of a bubble.\r\n\r\nYet, bubbles are fragile. They have to be protected or all will be lost. Therefore, there are guardians of the ways of the bubble who seek to detect dangers, like someone who has different idea or a person who is asking strange questions. If the bubble breaks, it would be horrible. Bubbleists could lose their job, their pension, and their sense of significance.\r\n\r\nWhat if we just stopped worrying about the bubbles and the ways of the bubble? What if we just admitted that some of the bubbles may not be for everyone? What if we concluded that these societal structures simply are not serving us well? What if we quit trying the break back into the cage, I mean, bubble? What if we moved on from cataloging the faultiness of their ways and began to criticize by creating? What if we changed the system by ignoring it? What if we began to use more and more of our energy in positive ways? What if our dreams began to take flight?\r\n\r\nThe unrest that we are seeing around the world indicates that some societal structures are not serving us well. We are in desperate need of visionaries, entrepreneurs, creators and collaborators. So, if you have been given the left hand of fellowship or have been invited to leave a bubble, don’t despair. If you have opted out of a bubble; you are not an oddball or a troublemaker. It might just be one of the most important moves you have ever made.\r\n\r\n“You never change things by fighting the existing reality.  To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.” - Buckminster Fuller','Tiny Bubbles','','inherit','open','open','','5659-revision-4','','','2012-03-27 14:12:50','2012-03-27 21:12:50','',5659,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/27/5659-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(5694,1,'2012-03-27 14:44:36','2012-03-27 21:44:36','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/bubbles4.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5672\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/bubbles4.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"550\" height=\"260\" /></a></strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>Every day, I listen to NPR. I also watch Fox News on a daily basis.</strong> Jokingly, I tell people that I am either perfectly balanced or totally schizophrenic.\r\n\r\n<strong>Some of the shows on the more biased news networks </strong>are just straight forward news. Some get high marks for production excellence. Few get high marks for in-depth reporting. They each have their entertainers masquerading as journalists or news analysts who overstate their case, holding up the most extreme example from the opposing view to conveniently ridicule them. They try their darnest to rile people up and increase their ratings; rather than help their audience truly understand an issue. These so-called news outlets are bubbles presenting their version of what is happening in the world.\r\n\r\n<strong>I have voted for Republicans and for Democrats.</strong> Politicians over promise and under deliver. Seldom do they ever finish well. Political parties are just two more bubbles so locked into ideologies and paradigms, that they have paralyzed our government.\r\n\r\n<strong>For over twenty years I was a pastor.</strong> Now that I am removed from that scene, I see the church as one of the hardiest bubbles or all. While some churches are doing great things in their communities, the vast majority of most churches resources are internalized. They emphasize to their own their need to get worshipped-up, taught-up, fixed-up, and dedicated-up in their support of the church. I find this to be generally ineffective, self-serving, and not much like Jesus.\r\n\r\n<strong>As I have attempted to venture into social service work </strong>and community involvement over the last few years, I found another bubble. Social service agencies are locked into programs that are usually funded by the government or foundations. They measure output, instead of outcome. Their client/provider paradigm is a weird symbiotic relationship in which the client becomes dependent upon the services of the agency and the agency is dependent upon having a steady stream of clients to maintain their funding.\r\n\r\n<strong>One can wonder what would happen if agencies opted out of the quick fix</strong> of the hand-out and treated people like human beings, instead of cattle, helping them with acute needs and working with them to develop and pursue their own plan for improving their life.\r\n\r\n<strong>I have never seen an open bubble.</strong> It’s very difficult to get into a bubble. People in the bubble have paid their dues. They have drunk the Kool-Aid. They have earned the favor of the other bubbliest by their adherence to principles of the bubble. Outsiders and newbies may be tolerated, but they will not be heard.\r\n\r\n<strong>It’s also hard to see out of a bubble.</strong> The rest of the world is seen through a soapy blur of refracted light. Since bubbleists are secluded in their bubble, they can only speculate about those outside. Some think the outsiders are evil and to be feared and avoided. Certainly, they are ignorant of the ways of the bubble and they “just don’t get it.”\r\n\r\nSo, it’s hard to get in and hard to see out of a bubble.\r\n\r\n<strong>Yet, bubbles are fragile.</strong> They have to be protected or all will be lost. Therefore, there are guardians of the ways of the bubble who seek to detect dangers, like someone who has different idea or a person who is asking strange questions. If the bubble breaks, it would be horrible. Bubbleists could lose their job, their pension, and their sense of significance.\r\n\r\n<strong>What if we just stopped worrying about the bubbles </strong>and the ways of the bubble? What if we just admitted that some of the bubbles may not be for everyone? What if we concluded that these societal structures simply are not serving us well? What if we quit trying the break back into the cage, I mean, bubble? What if we moved on from cataloging the faultiness of their ways and began to criticize by creating? What if we changed the system by ignoring it? What if we began to use more and more of our energy in positive ways? What if our dreams began to take flight?\r\n\r\n<strong>The unrest that we are seeing around the world indicates that some changes are in order.</strong> We are in desperate need of visionaries, entrepreneurs, creators and collaborators. So, if you have been given the left hand of fellowship or have been invited to leave a bubble, don’t despair. If you have opted out of a bubble; you are not an oddball or a troublemaker. It might just be one of the most important moves you have ever made.\r\n\r\nYou never change things by fighting the existing reality.  To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete. - Buckminster Fuller','Tiny Bubbles','','inherit','open','open','','5659-revision-14','','','2012-03-27 14:44:36','2012-03-27 21:44:36','',5659,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/27/5659-revision-14/',0,'revision','',0),(5668,144,'2012-03-27 14:18:24','2012-03-27 21:18:24','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/bubbles1.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-5665\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/bubbles1-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a>Every day, I listen to NPR. I also watch Fox News on a daily basis.</strong> Jokingly, I tell people that I am either perfectly balanced or totally schizophrenic.\r\n\r\nSome of the shows on the more biased news networks are just straight forward news. Some get high marks for production excellence. Few get high marks for in-depth reporting. They each have their entertainers masquerading as journalists or news analysts who overstate their case, holding up the most extreme example from the opposing view to conveniently ridicule them. They try their darnest to rile people up and increase their ratings; rather than help their audience truly understand an issue. These so-called news outlets are bubbles presenting their version of what is happening in the world.\r\n\r\nI have voted for Republicans and for Democrats. Politicians over promise and under deliver. Seldom do they ever finish well. Political parties are just two more bubbles so locked into ideologies and paradigms, that they have paralyzed our government.\r\n\r\nFor over twenty years I was a pastor. Now that I am removed from that scene, I see the church as one of the hardiest bubbles in our culture. While some churches are doing great things in their communities, most of most churches resources are internalized. They emphasize to their own their need to get worshipped-up, taught-up, fixed-up, and dedicated-up in their support of the church. I find this to be generally ineffective, self-serving, and not much like Jesus.\r\n\r\nAs I have attempted to venture into social service work and community involvement over the last few years, I found another bubble. Social service agencies are locked into programs that are usually funded by the government or foundations. They measure output, instead of outcome. Their client/provider paradigm is a weird symbiotic relationship in which the client becomes dependent upon the services of the agency and the agency is dependent upon having a steady stream of clients to maintain their funding.\r\n\r\nOne can wonder what would happen if agencies opted out of the quick fix of the hand-out and treated people like human beings, instead of cattle, helping them with acute needs and working with them to develop and pursue their own plan for improving their life.\r\n\r\nI have never seen an open bubble. It’s very difficult to get into a bubble. People in the bubble have paid their dues. They have drunk the Kool-Aid. They have earned the favor of the other bubbliest by their adherence to principles of the bubble. Outsiders and newbies may be tolerated, but they will not be heard.\r\n\r\nIt’s also hard to see out of a bubble. The rest of the world is seen through a soapy blur of refracted light. Since bubbleists are secluded in their bubble, they can only speculate about those outside. Some think those outside of the bubble are evil and to be feared and avoided. Certainly, they are outsiders who are ignorant of the ways of the bubble and they “just don’t get it.”\r\n\r\nSo, it’s hard to get in and hard to see out of a bubble.\r\n\r\nYet, bubbles are fragile. They have to be protected or all will be lost. Therefore, there are guardians of the ways of the bubble who seek to detect dangers, like someone who has different idea or a person who is asking strange questions. If the bubble breaks, it would be horrible. Bubbleists could lose their job, their pension, and their sense of significance.\r\n\r\nWhat if we just stopped worrying about the bubbles and the ways of the bubble? What if we just admitted that some of the bubbles may not be for everyone? What if we concluded that these societal structures simply are not serving us well? What if we quit trying the break back into the cage, I mean, bubble? What if we moved on from cataloging the faultiness of their ways and began to criticize by creating? What if we changed the system by ignoring it? What if we began to use more and more of our energy in positive ways? What if our dreams began to take flight?\r\n\r\nThe unrest that we are seeing around the world indicates that some societal structures are not serving us well. We are in desperate need of visionaries, entrepreneurs, creators and collaborators. So, if you have been given the left hand of fellowship or have been invited to leave a bubble, don’t despair. If you have opted out of a bubble; you are not an oddball or a troublemaker. It might just be one of the most important moves you have ever made.\r\n\r\n“You never change things by fighting the existing reality.  To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.” - Buckminster Fuller','Tiny Bubbles','','inherit','open','open','','5659-revision-5','','','2012-03-27 14:18:24','2012-03-27 21:18:24','',5659,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/27/5659-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(5669,144,'2012-03-27 14:27:54','2012-03-27 21:27:54','','bubbles','','inherit','open','open','','bubbles-4','','','2012-03-27 14:27:54','2012-03-27 21:27:54','',5659,'http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/bubbles3.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(5670,144,'2012-03-27 14:19:29','2012-03-27 21:19:29','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/bubbles2.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5667\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/bubbles2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"448\" height=\"299\" /></a></strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>Every day, I listen to NPR. I also watch Fox News on a daily basis.</strong> Jokingly, I tell people that I am either perfectly balanced or totally schizophrenic.\r\n\r\nSome of the shows on the more biased news networks are just straight forward news. Some get high marks for production excellence. Few get high marks for in-depth reporting. They each have their entertainers masquerading as journalists or news analysts who overstate their case, holding up the most extreme example from the opposing view to conveniently ridicule them. They try their darnest to rile people up and increase their ratings; rather than help their audience truly understand an issue. These so-called news outlets are bubbles presenting their version of what is happening in the world.\r\n\r\nI have voted for Republicans and for Democrats. Politicians over promise and under deliver. Seldom do they ever finish well. Political parties are just two more bubbles so locked into ideologies and paradigms, that they have paralyzed our government.\r\n\r\nFor over twenty years I was a pastor. Now that I am removed from that scene, I see the church as one of the hardiest bubbles in our culture. While some churches are doing great things in their communities, most of most churches resources are internalized. They emphasize to their own their need to get worshipped-up, taught-up, fixed-up, and dedicated-up in their support of the church. I find this to be generally ineffective, self-serving, and not much like Jesus.\r\n\r\nAs I have attempted to venture into social service work and community involvement over the last few years, I found another bubble. Social service agencies are locked into programs that are usually funded by the government or foundations. They measure output, instead of outcome. Their client/provider paradigm is a weird symbiotic relationship in which the client becomes dependent upon the services of the agency and the agency is dependent upon having a steady stream of clients to maintain their funding.\r\n\r\nOne can wonder what would happen if agencies opted out of the quick fix of the hand-out and treated people like human beings, instead of cattle, helping them with acute needs and working with them to develop and pursue their own plan for improving their life.\r\n\r\nI have never seen an open bubble. It’s very difficult to get into a bubble. People in the bubble have paid their dues. They have drunk the Kool-Aid. They have earned the favor of the other bubbliest by their adherence to principles of the bubble. Outsiders and newbies may be tolerated, but they will not be heard.\r\n\r\nIt’s also hard to see out of a bubble. The rest of the world is seen through a soapy blur of refracted light. Since bubbleists are secluded in their bubble, they can only speculate about those outside. Some think those outside of the bubble are evil and to be feared and avoided. Certainly, they are outsiders who are ignorant of the ways of the bubble and they “just don’t get it.”\r\n\r\nSo, it’s hard to get in and hard to see out of a bubble.\r\n\r\nYet, bubbles are fragile. They have to be protected or all will be lost. Therefore, there are guardians of the ways of the bubble who seek to detect dangers, like someone who has different idea or a person who is asking strange questions. If the bubble breaks, it would be horrible. Bubbleists could lose their job, their pension, and their sense of significance.\r\n\r\nWhat if we just stopped worrying about the bubbles and the ways of the bubble? What if we just admitted that some of the bubbles may not be for everyone? What if we concluded that these societal structures simply are not serving us well? What if we quit trying the break back into the cage, I mean, bubble? What if we moved on from cataloging the faultiness of their ways and began to criticize by creating? What if we changed the system by ignoring it? What if we began to use more and more of our energy in positive ways? What if our dreams began to take flight?\r\n\r\nThe unrest that we are seeing around the world indicates that some societal structures are not serving us well. We are in desperate need of visionaries, entrepreneurs, creators and collaborators. So, if you have been given the left hand of fellowship or have been invited to leave a bubble, don’t despair. If you have opted out of a bubble; you are not an oddball or a troublemaker. It might just be one of the most important moves you have ever made.\r\n\r\n“You never change things by fighting the existing reality.  To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.” - Buckminster Fuller','Tiny Bubbles','','inherit','open','open','','5659-revision-6','','','2012-03-27 14:19:29','2012-03-27 21:19:29','',5659,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/27/5659-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(6020,35,'2012-05-02 08:00:47','2012-05-02 15:00:47','Most Christians focus on every word and incident in Jesus’ life as recorded in the four Gospels.  But I’m also drawn to the people involved.  How did they relate to Jesus?  What was their story?\r\n\r\nBeing the mother of three children, there is an event in the Bible I totally understand from Mary’s point of view.  She was Jesus’ mom and caught him teaching the religious teachers in the Temple in Jerusalem at the age of 12 after he had been missing for three days.  Here’s the story in Luke 2:41-52.\r\n<blockquote>Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. When Jesus was twelve years old, they attended the festival as usual. After the celebration was over, they started home to Nazareth, but Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents didn’t miss him at first, because they assumed he was among the other travelers. But when he didn’t show up that evening, they started looking for him among their relatives and friends.\r\n\r\nWhen they couldn’t find him, they went back to Jerusalem to search for him there. Three days later they finally discovered him in the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers, listening to them and asking questions. All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.\r\n\r\nHis parents didn’t know what to think. “Son,” his mother said to him, “why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere.”\r\n\r\n“But why did you need to search?” he asked. “Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?”</blockquote>\r\nI can imagine what happened next:\r\n\r\nMary: “I don’t care WHO you are.  Don’t talk to your mother like that.”\r\n\r\nGod: “I don’t care WHO you are.  Don’t talk to your mother like that.”\r\n\r\nJoseph:  “You’re grounded for the next week when we get home, and don’t EVER pull a stunt like this again.”\r\n\r\nJesus got the message.\r\n<blockquote>Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them.</blockquote>\r\nWait a minute…..how dare Mary talk to Jesus like this!  She knew he was God’s Son, the Messiah.  The angel Gabriel had told her so on the front end.  But Mary had given birth to him and raised him, and was living with a 12-year-old kid.  Have you ever wanted to strangle a pre-teen?  Jesus was fully God, but also fully human.  Verse 52 says \"Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.\"  Well, he had a lot of growing up left to do when this incident happened, and his parents were stuck with the job.\r\n\r\nI think one of the reasons God picked Mary to be the mother of His Son was she had the guts and strength to take on the challenge.\r\n\r\nIn my book, <em>Uncensored Prayer: The Spiritual Practice of Wrestling With God</em>, I wrote what I think about this woman.  According to Luke, here’s what Mary did after the angel announced she would give birth to the Messiah:\r\n<blockquote>Then she immediately ran to see Elizabeth, excited to tell her the good news.\r\n\r\nI wish Scripture told us more about Mary’s three month visit with her relative. When did reality set in?  For Mary, the pregnancy meant tremendous public scorn, possibly death by stoning.  What would her parents say?  Would Joseph reject her?  At some point, Mary had to think, “What is God doing to me?  Was I insane to agree to this?”  I bet she and God had a world-class wrestling match on the mat with Uncensored Prayer.  We like to think of Mary as pious and demure, but I think she was more than that.\r\n\r\nWhat if God selected her for this challenge of faith and commitment because she was a fighter? I think the key to her courage was she knew that even though Gabriel had left, God hadn’t and wouldn’t.  He was her partner, and she knew she could trust Him to help her handle everything that lay ahead.  Mary was one of the three women who had the courage to stand at the foot of the cross watching Jesus die, even though every one of the disciples except John had abandoned him.  She had faith in God that overcame her fear.</blockquote>\r\nI really like Mary.  I wouldn’t have wanted her job, but we would have been great friends.  She was a lot like me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;\"> </span>','The Gospel According to Jesus\' Mom','','publish','open','open','','the-gospel-according-to-jesus-mom','','','2012-04-30 12:37:14','2012-04-30 19:37:14','',0,'http://provoketive.com/?p=6020',0,'post','',1),(5671,0,'2012-03-27 14:28:26','2012-03-27 21:28:26','Dear Editor,\r\n\r\nI just wanted to pass along a graphic that my team and I created about the lack of women in math and sciences today, and the social implications of why this happens:\r\n\r\nhttp://www.engineeringdegree.net/girls-in-stem/\r\n\r\nFeel free to share it, and I’d love to get your thoughts on it as well!\r\n\r\nThanks,\r\n\r\nJen\n<!--more-->\nAUTHOR: Jenica\nAUTHOR EMAIL: rheejenica00@gmail.com\nAUTHOR URL: \nSUBJECT: [Provoketive Magazine] Contact Us\nIP: 121.96.61.130\nArray\n(\n    [Name] =&gt; Jenica\n    [Email] =&gt; rheejenica00@gmail.com\n    [Comment] =&gt; Dear Editor,\r\n\r\nI just wanted to pass along a graphic that my team and I created about the lack of women in math and sciences today, and the social implications of why this happens:\r\n\r\nhttp://www.engineeringdegree.net/girls-in-stem/\r\n\r\nFeel free to share it, and I’d love to get your thoughts on it as well!\r\n\r\nThanks,\r\n\r\nJen\n)\n','Jenica - 2012-03-27 14:28:26','','publish','open','open','','c3ee549b3f44fed6f5582671a48d3c73','','','2012-03-27 14:28:26','2012-03-27 21:28:26','',16,'http://provoketive.com/?post_type=feedback&p=5671',0,'feedback','',0),(5672,144,'2012-03-27 14:29:54','2012-03-27 21:29:54','','bubbles','','inherit','open','open','','bubbles-5','','','2012-03-27 14:29:54','2012-03-27 21:29:54','',5659,'http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/bubbles4.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(5673,144,'2012-03-27 14:28:09','2012-03-27 21:28:09','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/bubbles3.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5669\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/bubbles3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"560\" height=\"270\" /></a></strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>Every day, I listen to NPR. I also watch Fox News on a daily basis.</strong> Jokingly, I tell people that I am either perfectly balanced or totally schizophrenic.\r\n\r\nSome of the shows on the more biased news networks are just straight forward news. Some get high marks for production excellence. Few get high marks for in-depth reporting. They each have their entertainers masquerading as journalists or news analysts who overstate their case, holding up the most extreme example from the opposing view to conveniently ridicule them. They try their darnest to rile people up and increase their ratings; rather than help their audience truly understand an issue. These so-called news outlets are bubbles presenting their version of what is happening in the world.\r\n\r\nI have voted for Republicans and for Democrats. Politicians over promise and under deliver. Seldom do they ever finish well. Political parties are just two more bubbles so locked into ideologies and paradigms, that they have paralyzed our government.\r\n\r\nFor over twenty years I was a pastor. Now that I am removed from that scene, I see the church as one of the hardiest bubbles in our culture. While some churches are doing great things in their communities, most of most churches resources are internalized. They emphasize to their own their need to get worshipped-up, taught-up, fixed-up, and dedicated-up in their support of the church. I find this to be generally ineffective, self-serving, and not much like Jesus.\r\n\r\nAs I have attempted to venture into social service work and community involvement over the last few years, I found another bubble. Social service agencies are locked into programs that are usually funded by the government or foundations. They measure output, instead of outcome. Their client/provider paradigm is a weird symbiotic relationship in which the client becomes dependent upon the services of the agency and the agency is dependent upon having a steady stream of clients to maintain their funding.\r\n\r\nOne can wonder what would happen if agencies opted out of the quick fix of the hand-out and treated people like human beings, instead of cattle, helping them with acute needs and working with them to develop and pursue their own plan for improving their life.\r\n\r\nI have never seen an open bubble. It’s very difficult to get into a bubble. People in the bubble have paid their dues. They have drunk the Kool-Aid. They have earned the favor of the other bubbliest by their adherence to principles of the bubble. Outsiders and newbies may be tolerated, but they will not be heard.\r\n\r\nIt’s also hard to see out of a bubble. The rest of the world is seen through a soapy blur of refracted light. Since bubbleists are secluded in their bubble, they can only speculate about those outside. Some think those outside of the bubble are evil and to be feared and avoided. Certainly, they are outsiders who are ignorant of the ways of the bubble and they “just don’t get it.”\r\n\r\nSo, it’s hard to get in and hard to see out of a bubble.\r\n\r\nYet, bubbles are fragile. They have to be protected or all will be lost. Therefore, there are guardians of the ways of the bubble who seek to detect dangers, like someone who has different idea or a person who is asking strange questions. If the bubble breaks, it would be horrible. Bubbleists could lose their job, their pension, and their sense of significance.\r\n\r\nWhat if we just stopped worrying about the bubbles and the ways of the bubble? What if we just admitted that some of the bubbles may not be for everyone? What if we concluded that these societal structures simply are not serving us well? What if we quit trying the break back into the cage, I mean, bubble? What if we moved on from cataloging the faultiness of their ways and began to criticize by creating? What if we changed the system by ignoring it? What if we began to use more and more of our energy in positive ways? What if our dreams began to take flight?\r\n\r\nThe unrest that we are seeing around the world indicates that some societal structures are not serving us well. We are in desperate need of visionaries, entrepreneurs, creators and collaborators. So, if you have been given the left hand of fellowship or have been invited to leave a bubble, don’t despair. If you have opted out of a bubble; you are not an oddball or a troublemaker. It might just be one of the most important moves you have ever made.\r\n\r\n“You never change things by fighting the existing reality.  To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.” - Buckminster Fuller','Tiny Bubbles','','inherit','open','open','','5659-revision-7','','','2012-03-27 14:28:09','2012-03-27 21:28:09','',5659,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/27/5659-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(5679,144,'2012-03-27 14:43:59','2012-03-27 21:43:59','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/bubbles4.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5672\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/bubbles4.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"550\" height=\"260\" /></a></strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>Every day, I listen to NPR. I also watch Fox News on a daily basis.</strong> Jokingly, I tell people that I am either perfectly balanced or totally schizophrenic.\r\n\r\n<strong>Some of the shows on the more biased news networks </strong>are just straight forward news. Some get high marks for production excellence. Few get high marks for in-depth reporting. They each have their entertainers masquerading as journalists or news analysts who overstate their case, holding up the most extreme example from the opposing view to conveniently ridicule them. They try their darnest to rile people up and increase their ratings; rather than help their audience truly understand an issue. These so-called news outlets are bubbles presenting their version of what is happening in the world.\r\n\r\n<strong>I have voted for Republicans and for Democrats.</strong> Politicians over promise and under deliver. Seldom do they ever finish well. Political parties are just two more bubbles so locked into ideologies and paradigms, that they have paralyzed our government.\r\n\r\n<strong>For over twenty years I was a pastor.</strong> Now that I am removed from that scene, I see the church as one of the hardiest bubbles or all. While some churches are doing great things in their communities, the vast majority of most churches resources are internalized. They emphasize to their own their need to get worshipped-up, taught-up, fixed-up, and dedicated-up in their support of the church. I find this to be generally ineffective, self-serving, and not much like Jesus.\r\n\r\n<strong>As I have attempted to venture into social service work </strong>and community involvement over the last few years, I found another bubble. Social service agencies are locked into programs that are usually funded by the government or foundations. They measure output, instead of outcome. Their client/provider paradigm is a weird symbiotic relationship in which the client becomes dependent upon the services of the agency and the agency is dependent upon having a steady stream of clients to maintain their funding.\r\n\r\n<strong>One can wonder what would happen if agencies opted out of the quick fix</strong> of the hand-out and treated people like human beings, instead of cattle, helping them with acute needs and working with them to develop and pursue their own plan for improving their life.\r\n\r\n<strong>I have never seen an open bubble.</strong> It’s very difficult to get into a bubble. People in the bubble have paid their dues. They have drunk the Kool-Aid. They have earned the favor of the other bubbliest by their adherence to principles of the bubble. Outsiders and newbies may be tolerated, but they will not be heard.\r\n\r\n<strong>It’s also hard to see out of a bubble.</strong> The rest of the world is seen through a soapy blur of refracted light. Since bubbleists are secluded in their bubble, they can only speculate about those outside. Some think the outsiders are evil and to be feared and avoided. Certainly, they are ignorant of the ways of the bubble and they “just don’t get it.”\r\n\r\nSo, it’s hard to get in and hard to see out of a bubble.\r\n\r\n<strong>Yet, bubbles are fragile.</strong> They have to be protected or all will be lost. Therefore, there are guardians of the ways of the bubble who seek to detect dangers, like someone who has different idea or a person who is asking strange questions. If the bubble breaks, it would be horrible. Bubbleists could lose their job, their pension, and their sense of significance.\r\n\r\n<strong>What if we just stopped worrying about the bubbles </strong>and the ways of the bubble? What if we just admitted that some of the bubbles may not be for everyone? What if we concluded that these societal structures simply are not serving us well? What if we quit trying the break back into the cage, I mean, bubble? What if we moved on from cataloging the faultiness of their ways and began to criticize by creating? What if we changed the system by ignoring it? What if we began to use more and more of our energy in positive ways? What if our dreams began to take flight?\r\n\r\n<strong>The unrest that we are seeing around the world indicates that some changes are in order.</strong> We are in desperate need of visionaries, entrepreneurs, creators and collaborators. So, if you have been given the left hand of fellowship or have been invited to leave a bubble, don’t despair. If you have opted out of a bubble; you are not an oddball or a troublemaker. It might just be one of the most important moves you have ever made.\r\n\r\nYou never change things by fighting the existing reality.  To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete. - Buckminster Fuller','','','inherit','open','open','','5659-revision-13','','','2012-03-27 14:43:59','2012-03-27 21:43:59','',5659,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/27/5659-revision-13/',0,'revision','',0),