Simply Jesus

February 21

Chapter 6 – God’s in Charge Now

1. Wright points out that skeptics have always scoffed at the biblical miracle stories of Jesus.  He then offers four quick responses: A) Jesus attracted large crowds by his healing.  B) His remarkable acts prompted some to align him with the devil.  C) Jesus backed up his talk of newness with real signs.  D) We should be skeptical about skepticism itself.

Wright then warns, “Be careful with your worldview.  You’re in danger of reaffirming the very split-level cosmos that Jesus came to reunite.”  What does he mean by this? 

 2.  Jesus was declaring, “God’s in charge now – and this is what it looks like!”  His listeners would’ve agreed on some levels with this and disagreed on others.  If so, then why this and why that?  We’ve been asking those same questions ever since.  So, where do you see God “in charge” of things these days?  Where is God clearly not in charge?

 3.  Wright illustrates how short-lived grand announcements can be…packed full of unrealistic expectations, only to be dashed by time and unrelenting reality.  Why are we so hopelessly prone to believing such pronouncements?  What made Jesus’ announcements different?

 4.  Wright offers a brief outline of Jewish history, illustrating the challenge of believing that their national problems were fixable any time soon.  Jesus announced that God was in charge, but the evidence for many suggested otherwise.  The solution, Wright says, was re-living the Exodus…to tell the story, sing the songs, and keep celebrating God’s victory, even though it deeps on not happening. 

 Take a moment now to briefly review & discuss each of the seven themes of the Exodus:

·        Wicked tyrant

·        Chosen Leader

·        Victory of God

·        Rescue by sacrifice

·        New vocation and way of life

·        Presence of God

·        Promised/inherited land

5.  This story has sustained the Jews ever since.  Why?  Our story, as Christians, includes the Exodus, but moves ahead with the “new exodus”…the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

How does this new exodus complete and fulfill God’s intentions for humanity and creation?  How does it give further notice that God indeed is in charge?