I’m in the process of experiencing something of what Jesus spoke about in John 15:2 — “… And every branch that is grape-bearing he (God) prunes back so it will bear even more” — The Message. It’s a painful, yet exciting process, and I’m learning a lot. I’ll eventually speak more about it on my new website (see below). But I’m still in the midst of it, so please be patient…

As a result, I’ve started a new teaching website called NeoMysticism.com. This site looks into the way of life the Christian Mystics, and the practices that defined their lives and the fruit they produced. It explores in depth topics like Lectio Divina and Contemplative Prayer. It’s brand new, so don’t expect too much content, but I’ll keep it growing at a frisk pace…

Hopefully, it’s contents will also eventually form the basis of a multimedia e-learning course. We’ll see.

Sadly, for now, the new site will be my only focus, and I won’t be writing much here. Thank you for reading my posts in the past, and hopefully I’ll see you around on the new site. Subscribe there to stay in touch… The Jesus Feed will not disappear, so you’ll still have access to everything posted here. And who knows, one day I might just start actively posting here again. It’s all a mystery…

It is rush hour, and both of you pull off to the side. There’s not much tension, since you both realize that these things happen. ID numbers, phone numbers, etc. are exchanged, and an arrangement about the accident is made. You were the party at fault, and you are going to pay the other party’s insurance excess.

Your car is not insured, but luckily the damage to your car is minimal, and you are happy to keep on driving it like that. What a bad morning! You were stupid, guilty, and even reckless not to have your car insured. Thankfully, you immediately arrange insurance for it. And… life goes on.

About two months later you get a phone call. It is Bob – the guy who you drove into. He wants you to pay for the damages to his car. Not just the $300 insurance excess, but the whole $1,500 panel beaters bill!

You somewhat kindly remind him that that was not what you agreed to do. He says he doesn’t want to claim from insurance, and it’s too late in any case. There’s an argument, and he threatens to sue you.

You are very disappointed. Obviously! More so, since you just don’t have the money to foot this extra bill. Yes… it’s all your fault, and you should have acted avoided the accident to start with – and you should have had insurance! Still… you are not happy about how things have turned out. Your back’s against the wall.

As you have learned over time, the only place to be properly comforted, is flat on your face before God, with the tears streaming down your face.

You know that voice inside of you, the voice that constantly reminds you of Jesus’ words, the right thing to do, and even sometimes makes you aware that you’re not acting like you should be acting… the voice I believe is the Holy Spirit, even though some refer to it as your conscience. Well, that voice suddenly reminds you of Luke 6:27 to 35, where Jesus said you should love your enemies. Where he said “If someone grabs your shirt, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it.”

You know you shouldn’t feel comforted by those words, but strangely you do. You decide, that if Jesus wants you to do that, you will pay this Bob guy $3,000 – you’ll need a loan, but so what! You get satisfaction from doing the will of Jesus. And this is an excellent time to practice some revolutionary subordination.

You find out what Bob’s banking details are. You write him an email, explaining that you are a follower of Jesus, and therefore you want to give him double what you owe him. You pay him $3,000! And you know what? You are free… Much more free than you would have been if you fought with him, held a grudge against him, or went to court, and most-probably lost the case.

Plus… as an added bonus, you had a chance to take Jesus words from the Bible seriously. To believe them, and obey them. This is what loving Jesus is all about. You still sit with that loan though, and this time, loving Jesus and obeying Jesus actually cost you something.

Can you see yourself in this story? Can you see yourself really obeying Jesus? What if Jesus actually meant what He said?

They go out from their gatherings with the goal to “Feed One.” Mother Theresa said that, “If you can’t feed a hundred, then feed one.”

Simple right.

Yes. So… let’s go out and live like this. Let’s “Feed Jesus.” He says in Matthew 25 that if we feed marginalized people, it’s as good as feeding Him.

Find one person (can’t be that hard!) and feed them. If you live in Africa, where it’s really easy to find physically hungry and neglected people, then maybe feed someone by buying them food. Actually, I’m sure it isn’t that hard to find physically hungry people anywhere. If you do struggle, feed someone in another way.

Jesus suggests the hungry, but also the thirsty, homeless, shivering, sick, and imprisoned. No excuses.

Why postpone… Why not help someone today. Find marginal space, look around and “Feed Jesus.”

Be sure to let me know what you think!

Today also marks the official launch of The Jesus Feed. So… please subscribe to make sure you don’t miss anything. The conversations, challenges, blog posts and newsletter will kick-off in full swing on Monday.

Take care,
Dries Cronje