More thoughts on Jubilee

Jubilee has been on our minds in the chase house community. Weve been at table scheming how to live out the reality that Jesus is the Jubilee, incarnate.

If you are unfamiliar with the Jubilee, throw down a good thorough search of the Old Testament. It's there to show you How God wanted his post empire (post-egypt) children to live.

The Jubilee included the freeing of slaves, canceling of debts, and restoration a all lands to their assigned families.

In our meeting the other week, we brought up the concept of the interest free loans tha Jesus told us we ought to be giving. I was delighted to hear that a local christian group is doing that very thing. I mean, who would do tha? Interest free? Awesome. What a testimony to the truth that we really believe in Jesus. Let's "all the more" that one, everyone!

Anyway, this question gets raised about the cancelation of debts and interest free loaning. I was postulating that Christian churches should get busy about the relief of the people's debts. I was saying that it is imperative that we remove the blockage that is hindering mission among the young disciples around us.

For example:
one couple inour goup represents 80,000 dollars in debt! Why? School. Plain and simple.
Another young missionary with us has 30,000... school again... school
school
school
school
school

and what is being done with all the schooling?
well, some good stuff, but overall, it woul dhave been greater for these youngsters to have spent time in international mission, or in service in america, somewhere, or in work in the workforce... but instead, they get put in four year college, and they emerge with tons of debt... and a degree in communications or PR or, french...

this is a limited medium, and I have limited time... I'm not trying to shame the GREAT intentions of parents who urge their kids to go to college. Thank God for the love of parents that has spurred them o urge us to go to shcool... thank s to our parents, too. Love ya mom and dad.

I'm just remarking about the idea that now, the church is ina bind. Workers to the field--godly disciples who are worthy of their keep-- are hindered by causes that simple obedience to th eteaching of Jesus could solve. dissolve.

soo... the question about loans, debt relief, and whatnot was... WHAT IF A PERSON IS IN DEBT BECAUSE OF THEIR OWN FOLLY? WHERE DOES PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY COME IN?

great question:
In the meeting, I pulled out 1 Timothy 5 and discussed that there are leadership issues at work there. Godly overseers are to administrate which people get what kind of hlep... help...
But later, I was ruminating on the Jubilee--our example. You know what? Here's a dangerous beauty: ALL debts were canceled for citizens.
ALL citizen slaves were freed...
ALL lands were returned to the inheritors...

Within the Community of Israel, relief was unconditional--everyone got relief. No exceptions.

From the fool to the sage, everything got set straight. everything for everyone.

There were no exceptions. All citizens.

How does this inorm our administration of love within the body?

Are citizens possibly an image for baptized disciples? OOPS! did we go and baptize a whole lotta people who aren't disciples? OOPS! did we go and let the church become a den of snakes and wolves in sheeps clothings because we were afraid that we'd lose the building? or our staff positions? or our influence?
and now we can't live jubilee because things are so messed up?

Well, let's table together and work it out! all together. because Jubilee is for Jesus, for us, for the world to see.

JN 17.

again, limited medium, limited time. some statements are weak, unexpanded... so try to complete them in the comments. do you hear what I
m scratching at, here?