Based on Luke 14:25-34 (The Message)
25-27 One day when large groups of people were walking along with him, Jesus turned and told them, "Anyone who comes to me but refuses to let go of father, mother, spouse, children, brothers, sisters—yes, even one's own self!—can't be my disciple. Anyone who won't shoulder his own cross and follow behind me can't be my disciple. 28-30 "Is there anyone here who, planning to build a new house, doesn't first sit down and figure the cost so you'll know if you can complete it? If you only get the foundation laid and then run out of money, you're going to look pretty foolish. Everyone passing by will poke fun at you: 'He started something he couldn't finish.' 31-32 "Or can you imagine a king going into battle against another king without first deciding whether it is possible with his ten thousand troops to face the twenty thousand troops of the other? And if he decides he can't, won't he send an emissary and work out a truce? 33 "Simply put, if you're not willing to take what is dearest to you, whether plans or people, and kiss it good-bye, you can't be my disciple. 34 "Salt is excellent. But if the salt goes flat, it's useless, good for nothing. "Are you listening to this? Really listening?"
In the film, The Matrix, one of most engrossing scenes is that of Morpheus' meeting with Neo. The famous proposition - to take the Blue or Red pill - has become the source of all manner of philosophical and spiritual conversations, books, etc. What I find most compelling about the entire exchange between the two characters is that most of what Morpheus is telling Neo about the life he knows is actually, quite accurate. As Christians, however, the pills only point to a greater reality. They're signs directing us to a choice we must make, namely, genuinely following Jesus signifies turning our back on how things used to be in our lives. It means giving everything over to God and that includes what we hold most dear to us.
The notion of pills is a fascinating one. The blue pill suggests we are living a life of habit. A life without purpose or, in the best case, superfluous purpose. Doesn't it seem as if most human beings in the United States live out their time on earth enacting a series of rote behaviors and perfunctory actions that are woven into a rationalized existence? Despite socio-economic factors, I see this as a reality of our contemporary existence that truly transcends all financial circumstances, levels of education, race, ethnicity or gender. All levels experience angst, feelings of stagnation and wonder about tomorrow as being typical & mundane. How are we living and ultimately, for what? What are we living for? I’m afraid that the answer is not that distinguishable between a Christian and a non-Christian. All of our lives are affected by these circumstances and by the sense of complacent routine.
Ironically, there is safety in the typical and a sense of superficial comfort that tends to limit or discourage living out our full potential. I believe that the Gospel of Jesus Christ, if faithfully lived, challenges everything we know about life. In fact, I am convinced that the nature of living for Christ alone will disarm and dismantle all of the trappings and insecurities we have about living as God desires us to live. To live for Christ is to live in genuine freedom. It is to embrace our brokenness, embrace our humanity and find that in the process of becoming whole, we become family. We become everything that typical families tend to shield, hide or rationalize. The shame, guilt, interference and loyalties so often associated with blood and family ties are forfeited so we become a family by the blood of Christ.
In this new society, in this new “Matrix” of community, we disregard all that is about us - we dies to self in order for us to receive life in its abundance, in its fullest expression. The blue pill is the security we have in the tangible and in the now. It is the pathway of excuses for why things are and the rationalization for they need to continue to be the way they are. Whether its family, ministry, work, school or other inter/intrapersonal exchanges, we can continue to live through them – making due and getting by – or we can be transformed in such a fashion so as to become all that God desires us to be. That’s what the red bill is all about, I think. I’ll take some license and suggest that it’s pretty amazing that the pill that causes all of the scales to fall from our eyes and sees things for what they really are is red like blood. All too cool.
After you take from the cup and drink his blood. After you take the red pill, my friends, all of your inter/intrapersonal experiences will be altered because they will no longer be about you. They’ll be about Him. About Jesus. It’s when we begin to live for him, that our lives become sincerely noticeable to us for the first time. We’ll notice our hearts for the first time, for they will begin to beat for others and break for others – for the first time. It’s when they begin to break for others, that we begin to live as fulfilled and purposed brothers & sisters. No longer as singular entities trying to make sense of it (the blue pill), but rather, as members of a body seeking to live out the purpose that He instills in us (the red pill). Once He notices you, you’ll notice yourself as one of His children. Once you realize what God intends for you, you will proclaim it from the top of the roofs and from the highest mountains.
Finally, I’d be remiss if I didn’t warn you. It seems all too appropriate as Morpheus warned Neo about the uncertainties of his future journey should he wish to take the red pill. The problem with many messages proclaiming the transformative power of life in Christ is that seems too romantic. In fact, it is false advertising. The truth, as Morpheus, offered Neo, comes with a price. Scripture clearly promises that trial and tribulation will come to those who seek the kingdom with all of their hearts & minds. At some point in time, you’ll be taken through the valleys, the wilderness and experience suffering of some kind. It’s only right and sincere to share this “full disclosure” with each of you who may seek to renew (Neo) your commitments to Christ. It may be that you're just about to take the red pill for the first time - a brand new (Neo) start to your life; it's great to read all the fine print before you choose.
So, now that the terms & conditions have been laid out before each one of you – before me as well, mind you, we need to consider this. . . If we are to be the dynamic, living and organic body of Christ in the city and to one another, then we need to figure the costs. We need to make a conscientious decision to follow him – no matter what. That’s the red pill, people. Only truth is offered. Truth that will lead to healing, forgiveness, freedom, wisdom, grace, peace and above all else, God’s immeasurable love. But like Christ, we will experience hardships, division, challenges and confusion. If we tell Jesus that we’ll go wherever He goes, then we need to be ready to rough it. Count the costs, follow Him anywhere He goes, no matter what. Seems a bit harsh when compared to the comfortable routine we called life. Perhaps that what’s so scandalous of our faith, we die to self in order to live. Once we’ve crossed over to the other side, the red pill, we will encounter a joy, purpose and life unlike anything previously imagined. All I offer is the truth. It’s up to you. Which pill will you choose?
Daniel
25-27 One day when large groups of people were walking along with him, Jesus turned and told them, "Anyone who comes to me but refuses to let go of father, mother, spouse, children, brothers, sisters—yes, even one's own self!—can't be my disciple. Anyone who won't shoulder his own cross and follow behind me can't be my disciple. 28-30 "Is there anyone here who, planning to build a new house, doesn't first sit down and figure the cost so you'll know if you can complete it? If you only get the foundation laid and then run out of money, you're going to look pretty foolish. Everyone passing by will poke fun at you: 'He started something he couldn't finish.' 31-32 "Or can you imagine a king going into battle against another king without first deciding whether it is possible with his ten thousand troops to face the twenty thousand troops of the other? And if he decides he can't, won't he send an emissary and work out a truce? 33 "Simply put, if you're not willing to take what is dearest to you, whether plans or people, and kiss it good-bye, you can't be my disciple. 34 "Salt is excellent. But if the salt goes flat, it's useless, good for nothing. "Are you listening to this? Really listening?"
In the film, The Matrix, one of most engrossing scenes is that of Morpheus' meeting with Neo. The famous proposition - to take the Blue or Red pill - has become the source of all manner of philosophical and spiritual conversations, books, etc. What I find most compelling about the entire exchange between the two characters is that most of what Morpheus is telling Neo about the life he knows is actually, quite accurate. As Christians, however, the pills only point to a greater reality. They're signs directing us to a choice we must make, namely, genuinely following Jesus signifies turning our back on how things used to be in our lives. It means giving everything over to God and that includes what we hold most dear to us.
The notion of pills is a fascinating one. The blue pill suggests we are living a life of habit. A life without purpose or, in the best case, superfluous purpose. Doesn't it seem as if most human beings in the United States live out their time on earth enacting a series of rote behaviors and perfunctory actions that are woven into a rationalized existence? Despite socio-economic factors, I see this as a reality of our contemporary existence that truly transcends all financial circumstances, levels of education, race, ethnicity or gender. All levels experience angst, feelings of stagnation and wonder about tomorrow as being typical & mundane. How are we living and ultimately, for what? What are we living for? I’m afraid that the answer is not that distinguishable between a Christian and a non-Christian. All of our lives are affected by these circumstances and by the sense of complacent routine.
Ironically, there is safety in the typical and a sense of superficial comfort that tends to limit or discourage living out our full potential. I believe that the Gospel of Jesus Christ, if faithfully lived, challenges everything we know about life. In fact, I am convinced that the nature of living for Christ alone will disarm and dismantle all of the trappings and insecurities we have about living as God desires us to live. To live for Christ is to live in genuine freedom. It is to embrace our brokenness, embrace our humanity and find that in the process of becoming whole, we become family. We become everything that typical families tend to shield, hide or rationalize. The shame, guilt, interference and loyalties so often associated with blood and family ties are forfeited so we become a family by the blood of Christ.
In this new society, in this new “Matrix” of community, we disregard all that is about us - we dies to self in order for us to receive life in its abundance, in its fullest expression. The blue pill is the security we have in the tangible and in the now. It is the pathway of excuses for why things are and the rationalization for they need to continue to be the way they are. Whether its family, ministry, work, school or other inter/intrapersonal exchanges, we can continue to live through them – making due and getting by – or we can be transformed in such a fashion so as to become all that God desires us to be. That’s what the red bill is all about, I think. I’ll take some license and suggest that it’s pretty amazing that the pill that causes all of the scales to fall from our eyes and sees things for what they really are is red like blood. All too cool.
After you take from the cup and drink his blood. After you take the red pill, my friends, all of your inter/intrapersonal experiences will be altered because they will no longer be about you. They’ll be about Him. About Jesus. It’s when we begin to live for him, that our lives become sincerely noticeable to us for the first time. We’ll notice our hearts for the first time, for they will begin to beat for others and break for others – for the first time. It’s when they begin to break for others, that we begin to live as fulfilled and purposed brothers & sisters. No longer as singular entities trying to make sense of it (the blue pill), but rather, as members of a body seeking to live out the purpose that He instills in us (the red pill). Once He notices you, you’ll notice yourself as one of His children. Once you realize what God intends for you, you will proclaim it from the top of the roofs and from the highest mountains.
Finally, I’d be remiss if I didn’t warn you. It seems all too appropriate as Morpheus warned Neo about the uncertainties of his future journey should he wish to take the red pill. The problem with many messages proclaiming the transformative power of life in Christ is that seems too romantic. In fact, it is false advertising. The truth, as Morpheus, offered Neo, comes with a price. Scripture clearly promises that trial and tribulation will come to those who seek the kingdom with all of their hearts & minds. At some point in time, you’ll be taken through the valleys, the wilderness and experience suffering of some kind. It’s only right and sincere to share this “full disclosure” with each of you who may seek to renew (Neo) your commitments to Christ. It may be that you're just about to take the red pill for the first time - a brand new (Neo) start to your life; it's great to read all the fine print before you choose.
So, now that the terms & conditions have been laid out before each one of you – before me as well, mind you, we need to consider this. . . If we are to be the dynamic, living and organic body of Christ in the city and to one another, then we need to figure the costs. We need to make a conscientious decision to follow him – no matter what. That’s the red pill, people. Only truth is offered. Truth that will lead to healing, forgiveness, freedom, wisdom, grace, peace and above all else, God’s immeasurable love. But like Christ, we will experience hardships, division, challenges and confusion. If we tell Jesus that we’ll go wherever He goes, then we need to be ready to rough it. Count the costs, follow Him anywhere He goes, no matter what. Seems a bit harsh when compared to the comfortable routine we called life. Perhaps that what’s so scandalous of our faith, we die to self in order to live. Once we’ve crossed over to the other side, the red pill, we will encounter a joy, purpose and life unlike anything previously imagined. All I offer is the truth. It’s up to you. Which pill will you choose?
Daniel
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