Shedding the Old Bark: Zacchaeus, the Sycamore, and a Heart Set Free

The Red Pill Awakening

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Michael A. Gentile@MicahSixEight

April 01, 2025

Shedding the Old Bark: Zacchaeus, the Sycamore, and a Heart Set Free

Luke 19:2-4

"He [Jesus] entered Jericho and was passing through. And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way."

As a tree guy, it doesn't go unnoticed by me that Luke included the type of tree that Zacchaeus climbed. The sycamore tree and its exfoliating bark stands out for me. I don't think Luke tossed in a detail like this just for scenery. It’s loaded with meaning if you dig into it. The sycamore tree, often identified as the sycamore-fig in that region, does have this unique trait in which its bark peels away in patches littering the ground with bark flakes and revealing fresh layers underneath. That’s a striking image of renewal. And I've always felt that it fits Zacchaeus’ story perfectly. He's becoming a new man; he's shaking off the old self and underneath is a fresh new self that loves God.

Here’s a guy who’s been wrapped up in a rough exterior, his role as a tax collector, his wealth built on questionable practices, his isolation from the community, he was a Roman collaborator. But his climb up that tree isn’t just about getting a better view; it’s the start of shedding that old life.

Jesus doesn’t just pass by, he calls Zacchaeus down and invites himself over, sparking a total turnaround in this guy’s life.

Luke 19:5

And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today."

Imagine how that must’ve hit Zacchaeus, a guy used to being known for all the wrong reasons, now singled out by Jesus in a way that’s personal and direct. It’s not a vague "Hey, you up there." It’s "Zacchaeus." That alone probably shook him.

Jesus flips that script. He doesn’t wait for an invitation; he inserts himself right into Zacchaeus’ world. That’s the start of the turnaround, the exfoliation we've noted, Jesus is meeting Zacchaeus where he’s at, literally and figuratively, ready to peel back those layers of isolation and shame.

And so, Zacchaeus is so overcome with joy and gratitude that he proclaims his commitment to the Lord and to behaving righteously from now on. And I notice another thing that stands out to me.

Luke 19:8-9

And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold." And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham."

What stands out isn't the extravagant joyful giving attitude that Zacchaeus adopts, I noticed something that's stated here that wasn't in a similar encounter. Remember back to the encounter between Jesus and the rich young ruler.

Two encounters with Jesus, two wealthy men, but two wildly different outcomes. Zacchaeus’ response in verse 8 is explosive. He stands up, there’s a sense of resolve in that, and he calls Jesus "Lord," which is already a shift from a guy who was just curious enough to climb a tree. Then he lays out this radical plan: "Half of my goods I give to the poor," and if he’s cheated anyone, he’ll pay them back fourfold. That’s not just pocket change! In the Jewish law, restitution for theft was typically the amount stolen plus a fifth (Leviticus 6:5), or double in some cases (Exodus 22:4). But fourfold?! Wow...this guy is serious. But don't be too impressed, it's still probably coming out of his excess. Even so, that’s Zacchaeus going way beyond what’s required, showing a heart that’s not just repentant but overflowing with a desire to make things right. He’s not clinging to his wealth anymore; he’s letting it go to bless others.

And then comes the thing I picked up on. Jesus declares,

"Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham."

Now, flip back to the rich young ruler, also a son of Abraham, in Luke 18:18-23. That guy asks Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life, and Jesus tells him to sell everything, give to the poor, and follow him. The ruler walks away sad because he’s too attached to his wealth. Jesus doesn’t chase him down or soften the call, he lets him go. The contrast is stark. The rich young ruler hears the invitation and clings to his stuff; Zacchaeus hears Jesus’ presence in his life and starts giving it away without even being asked.

The contrast between Zacchaeus and the rich young ruler shines a spotlight on what God’s after in these stories. It’s not just about wealth or even the act of giving it away; it’s about the heart behind it all. It's about what we desire, what we admire, and what truly matters to us. The rich young ruler comes to Jesus with a question about eternal life, and he’s got a solid spiritual resume, he's kept the commandments, he's lived a good life. But when Jesus zeroes in on his wealth and says, "Sell everything, give to the poor, and follow me," the guy can’t do it. His riches aren’t just stuff to him; they’re his security, his identity, maybe even his pride. He’s not unwilling to do good; he just can’t let go of what’s got a hold on him.

And you know what's really sad?

He knows it. The rich young ruler’s sadness shows he knows it. The ruler’s wealth isn’t the problem, Zacchaeus's story proves that; it's the grip it has on him that makes his story so miserable.

Zacchaeus isn't calculating his salvation like the rich young ruler was. It never even comes up until Jesus offers the affirmation for everyone to hear. When Jesus calls him down and enters his home, Zacchaeus doesn’t wait for instructions. He’s so overwhelmed by Jesus’ presence that he blurts out his extravagant plan. It’s not calculated; it’s a heart spilling over. He’s not clinging onto his wealth anymore because Jesus has already become more valuable to him. That's really all that Jesus wanted when he told the young ruler to follow him. God’s looking for that same thing here: a heart that responds to Him with trust and joy, not just obedience out of duty.

Gods after a posture that says, "You’re enough for me," whether that means letting go of riches or anything else we lean on.

Okay, so I think we've figured this thing out.

But what about the last verse in this story?

Luke 19:10

"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."

This is Jesus dropping the mission statement of his whole life right after Zacchaeus’ transformation. It’s not a random tagline; it’s the heartbeat of everything we’ve just seen. Zacchaeus was lost, not just physically up in a tree or lost in the crowd, but spiritually and socially too. He’s the poster child for someone who’s gone astray. Yet Jesus doesn’t wait for Zacchaeus to figure it out or clean up his act.

The rich young ruler was lost too, in his own way, tangled up in his wealth and religious performances. Jesus sought him out with that invitation to follow, but the ruler couldn’t take the lifeline. Zacchaeus, though? He holds on with both hands.

It’s like Jesus is saying, "This is who I am, and this is what I do." Turning a greedy outcast into a generous son of Abraham in a single day. Jesus isn't coming to pat the righteous on the back, he's come to chase down the ones who’ve wandered off, the ones who don’t even know how lost they are until he shows up.

When you read about Jesus seeking to bring salvation for those lost in their stuff, does it feel like a promise or a challenge?

I’d say it’s both, depending on where you’re standing. It’s a promise because it’s Jesus doing the seeking, not us. He’s the one climbing into our messy lives, calling us by name, like he did with Zacchaeus. You don’t have to have it all together; he’s already on the move toward you. That’s comforting, salvation isn’t about us chasing him down but him finding us, even when we’re tangled up in our own trees.

But it’s also a challenge because it asks something of us, doesn’t it? Zacchaeus didn’t just stay in the tree, admiring Jesus from a distance. He came down, welcomed him in, and let that encounter flip his whole world upside down.

But I think it's a promise first. Zacchaeus heard Jesus was coming, and what he knew about him drew him to Jesus. Zacchaeus didn’t climb that sycamore tree out of nowhere; something he’d heard about Jesus pulled him there. Maybe it was whispers among the crowds of miracles or talk of this teacher who didn’t play by the usual rules, or just a gut feeling that this was someone worth seeing. Whatever it was, it was enough to get a guy like him; short, rich, despised, to hustle ahead of the crowd and scramble up a tree. That’s the promise at work: Jesus is coming, and what you’ve heard about him is enough to stir something, to make you move toward him before you even fully understand why. That's the seed of faith beginning to germinate in him.

Zacchaeus didn’t climb that tree with a full-grown theology or a polished plan; he had just a flicker of something, curiosity, hope, maybe a whisper of longing, that Jesus was worth seeking out. That’s all it took for the seed to take root. What he’d heard about Jesus, however vague or incomplete, it was enough to get him moving, to position him where Jesus could find him. And once Jesus called his name, that seed sprouted into a wild, joyful response of giving and restitution.

Just a nudge, a "maybe this is real," and Jesus meets that kind of faith with everything he’s got. We see him doing this time after time. Take that woman who touched his cloak in Luke 8:43-48, she’s a perfect example. She’d been bleeding for twelve years, spent all she had on doctors, and was probably at the end of her rope. She didn’t even approach Jesus face-to-face; she just thought, "If I can touch the edge of his garment, maybe that’ll be enough." That’s barely a whisper of faith, it's more desperation than confidence, but Jesus stops everything. Power goes out from him, he feels it, and he seeks her out in the crowd. Not to scold her, but to affirm her: "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace."

Think of the centurion in Luke 7, too, just a word from Jesus was enough for him, and Jesus marvels at his faith. Or the thief on the cross in Luke 23, with nothing but a plea, "Remember me," and Jesus promises him paradise. Time after time throughout the gospels, it’s not the size of the faith that matters; it’s that it’s aimed at him. He takes that seed, that flicker, and runs with it.

"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."

That's the mission.

Just as a side note: I think it's funny that today crowds come to see and visit the Sycamore fig tree that Zacchaeus climbed in Jerico. It's ironic, crowds sent him there, now they come to see his tree. People are funny. I imagine the ghost of Zacchaeus up in that tree again shouting at them, "Hey, get off my lawn!"

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Michael A. Gentile@MicahSixEight

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The War Within: Wrestling Sin, Shame, and the Spirit’s Slam

Romans 7:18-19

"I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing."

You've heard this before, "Shame can trick someone into thinking they’ve got to fix themselves before coming back to God, but that’s not how it works. He meets people where they are." And you've maybe for a time felt unburdened by the idea of a merciful God who knows what you're going through and who isn't trying to lay a heavy hand on you. But how long before that feeling of comfort and acceptance becomes a heavy trip again? Why is it that we seem to struggle with sin and shame. Even while we're doing good, we're bothered by the realization that we're not really good at all. I saw a post today that asked: "what's a good church?" and I thought to myself, "we are the church, so...there is no good church". I didn't reply to that post; that's me being good.

It truly is a spiritual battle. We're all wrestling with something deep and real here, how that initial relief of grace can fade back into a weighty struggle, even when we’re trying to live right. It’s ...

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Michael A. Gentile@MicahSixEight

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Decision And Action: A Call to Repentance

Luke 16:2

"And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’"

One day, at the end of the thousand-year reign of Christ, death and Hades will give up the dead which are there. And they will stand before the great white throne of God (Revelation 20). Those whose name is not written in the Book of Life will be sent into Gehenna. In Luke 16:19-31, Jesus tells the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. The "great chasm" described in verse 26 illustrates a fixed, unbridgeable divide between the place of torment and Abraham’s bosom. This is our situation today. This separation isn’t just physical but spiritual as well. This account highlights the irreversible nature of one’s eternal destiny after death. There is consciousness there, remembrance. And that feature torments those who are there. Probably why we hear a lot about their grinding and gnashing of teeth.

This theme of finality carries forward to Revelation 20:11-15, where the great white throne ...

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Michael A. Gentile@MicahSixEight

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The Doctrine of Demons and Faith Alone

There are a lot of people, my Catholic friends, who will ask me about my opinions on faith alone. And how it is, I can reject their traditions and doctrines. And the simple answer is they do not teach or preach the same gospel that I know from God's word, not my opinions.

I don't hate them as Christians. In fact, I believe they are Christians unlike many of the reformed sects that don't see it that way at all. I work and serve with Roman Catholic Christians in the Prison ministry. I know these men's hearts and I know their minds to a certain degree. And I trust that they do have a true and honest devotion. I just don't believe in their church and its heretical doctrines of demons. Because they replace faith in Jesus Christ alone with works and tradition that is anathema to the word of God. So I don't like what they teach outside the Bible, but I like them just fine, as people and as friends.

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Michael A. Gentile@MicahSixEight

13 hours ago

It’s Inspection Time

Luke 19:11-12

As they heard these things, he [Jesus] proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. He said therefore, "A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return..."

Before jumping into the conversation Jesus was having about his kingdom to come, let's set the table for this message.

The phrase "as they heard these things" ties this parable to the broader context of what we've studied previously. Jesus had just encountered Zacchaeus in Jerico, a moment of radical grace and transformation. Yet the crowd’s anticipation is now fixated on a more immediate, and visible kingdom. Jesus uses this parable to address the expectations of His listeners. They thought the kingdom of God would manifest fully right then and there, with Jerusalem so close. But Jesus, in His wisdom, shifts their focus through the story of a nobleman who leaves to receive a kingdom and promises to return.

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Michael A. Gentile@MicahSixEight

March 31, 2025

Humbled by Mercy: The Tax Collector’s Triumph Over Religious Pride

Luke 18:9

He [Jesus] also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt:

Today's scripture focus, this parable about the Pharisees and the tax collector, sets the stage by first identifying the audience. This is handy and Luke doesn't leave us wondering about its meaning either. In this parable, he describes two men praying in the temple: a Pharisee, who boasts about his own righteousness and who looks down on others, and a tax collector, who humbly asks for God’s mercy, acknowledging his sinfulness. And I think the significant thing to take away from this parable is explained by Jesus straight away.

This is the punchline:

Luke 18:14

"I tell you, this man [The Tax Collector] went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."

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Michael A. Gentile@MicahSixEight

March 29, 2025

The Spring Renewal and God's Plan: "the outskirts of His ways"

Psalm 104:1-2, 24

"Bless the Lord, O my soul!

O Lord my God, you are very great!

You are clothed with splendor and majesty, covering yourself with light as with a garment, stretching out the heavens like a tent...O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all..."

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Michael A. Gentile@MicahSixEight

March 22, 2025

Seated, Yet Dancing:

Co-Heirs, We Inherit Christ’s Victory

Please open your bible to the epistles...

Ephesians 6:10-20

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes."

Bookmark that and then open to this chapter as well...

Ephesians 3:10-12

"So that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him."

Q: What are we doing?

A: Wrestling with rulers and authorities against the devils' schemes.

Q: Where?

A: In the heavenly places.

Q: Where is Christ?

A: The heavenly places.

Q: Where does he rule and reign?

A: The heavenly places.

Q: Why are we doing this?

A: So that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known...

Let’s flesh this out a bit more, tying the two passages together to sharpen the focus. To sharpen our weapons and prepare ourselves for revelation.

We're being taught to suit up, to stand firm, and to face the enemy. The "schemes" (those cunning tactics) are what we’re resisting, and the full armor is our gear for the fight. The purpose now, (flip to the second passage), "so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places." This isn’t just about our own survival; it’s about a bold and ambitious proclamation. The church (that’s us!) is God’s megaphone, broadcasting His multifaceted wisdom to those same spiritual entities we’re wrestling with in chapter 6.

What are we doing? Wrestling with rulers and authorities against the devil’s schemes (Ephesians 6:12). It’s a spiritual grapple, not against flesh, but against these cosmic powers trying to undermine God’s rule. The armor equips us to resist and stand.

Where? In the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12, 3:10). This unseen realm is the arena, beyond the trans-dimensional veil that separates our world and the spiritual realm, where the enemy operates and where Christ reigns. It’s not distant; it’s the spiritual dimension overlapping and surrounding our world and our lives.

Where is Christ? Heavenly places (Ephesians 1:20-21). He’s seated at God’s right hand, above all rule and authority (same entities from 3:10 and 6:12). He’s not just present there, He’s supreme.

Where does He rule and reign? Heavenly places. His victory (Ephesians 1:22, Colossians 2:15) means the enemy’s fighting a losing battle, but they’re still kicking up dust with their hateful schemes.

Why are we doing this? So that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known (Ephesians 3:10). This is the kicker; our stand isn’t just defense, it’s a declaration. "Manifold wisdom" (Greek: polupoikilos, many-colored, richly diverse) is God’s brilliant plan of salvation, redemption, unity in Christ, displayed through us to these spiritual onlookers. And He's doing it right in front of their faces. He is doing it outright, so they don't miss a beat.

Q: What are we doing?

A: We are...

1. Wrestling: In Ephesians 6, we’re combatants, armored up to withstand and push back against the enemy’s lies, chaos, and darkness. It’s an active resistance.

2. Witnessing: In Ephesians 3, we’re ambassadors, showing off God’s wisdom to the same rulers and authorities. Our stand, boldly clad in truth, righteousness, and faith, proclaims Christ’s triumph and fulfills his commission.

And here's the how.

Now look again in Ephesians, this time in chapter 4.

Ephesians 4:1-3 (and beyond through the whole chapter)

"I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

Don't grieve the Holy Spirit. Put away evil and slander. Be imitators of God. No obscenity. Give thanks. Be subject to one another. Live out the Christian life. Witness to it and study it. Be walkers in the word of God. It's not a stroll; it's a constant pattern. Be strong in the Lord in the strength of HIS MIGHT!

It's a fast pace. And your flesh is trying to keep up. So, you're trying to outpace that old man.

Galatians 5:16-17

"So, I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want."

Okay, so we know that we're in need of training before the battle. The battle is within us and must be fought there. And we have at our disposal these powers given to us from God's Spirit.

The full armor (truth, righteousness, faith, etc.) isn’t just gear; its God’s strength forged into us. This isn’t passive, it’s a deliberate, an active stance in the heavenly places, that unseen arena where spiritual forces clash. We have a very aggressive and formidable enemy, The Devil, and our weapons against his schemes are spiritual forces at work within us.

Therefore: (from Ephesians)

1. Don’t grieve the Spirit (4:30)—our power source.

2. Put away evil (4:31)—slander, bitterness, the enemy’s tools.

3. Imitate God (5:1)—love, purity, gratitude, sincerity (5:4).

4. Be subject to one another (5:21)—corporate unity is our strength.

It's a fast-paced march powered by "the strength of HIS might" (Ephesians 6:10). The flesh lags behind, but we’re outpacing that "old man" through discipline and dependence on God.

But what about that cosmic level enemy outside of us?

Who Are They?

These "rulers," "authorities," "cosmic powers," and "spiritual forces of evil" aren’t vague metaphors, they’re a host of intelligent, malevolent fallen created beings. A full third of the angelic beings God created.

Fallen Angels: Revelation 12:7-9 describes Satan, and his angels cast out of heaven, now waging war against God’s people. They’re part of this "host" (see also 2 Corinthians 11:14-15, where they masquerade as light). Daniel 10:13-20 mentions the "prince of Persia" and "prince of Greece", spiritual entities resisting God’s messengers, suggesting a hierarchy tied to earthly regions or realms. The phrase "cosmic powers over this present darkness" (Greek: kosmokratores) implies dominion over worldly systems, a darkness that blankets creation until Christ’s return (Romans 8:19-22). This isn’t just Satan alone, it’s a legion, an organized host occupying that unseen space, working in concert against God’s purposes and employing globalist cohorts out of mankind's wicked people.

I called it the "space between us and the universe", and that’s a poetic way to frame the "heavenly places", and I framed it in that way because I've come to believe that the spiritual realm is all around us in this invisible "in-between". This isn’t the starry skies or God’s throne in lofty heavenly clouds, it’s the spiritual dimension, the "air" where Satan is "prince" (Ephesian 2:2).

Think of it as a trans-dimensional veil. Beyond our physical senses yet intersecting with our world. Job 1-2 shows Satan roaming the earth and appearing before God, active in both realms. They’re not omnipresent like God, but they patrol this space, influencing human affairs (1 Peter 5:8, “prowling like a roaring lion”). They are limited to this prowl. They continue only by the will of God; he controls or binds them to the realm of this "air". And from that space they operate against Christ's reign which is above them (Ephesians 1:20-21), but they linger, stirring chaos until their final defeat (Revelation 20:10).

This "space" is like a cosmic battlefield, buzzing with these entities, between humanity and the fullness of God’s creation. On a scientific physical scale they are slipping through the atoms, in-between that molecular structure. They can travel in that slipstream. These entities, these fallen angels, these cosmic powers. They aren’t bound by flesh, so they could indeed weave their way through creation’s framework. Possibly even manipulating that framework to create wicked creatures, but that's for a different conversation.

It’s a compelling blend of spiritual truth and an almost sci-fi-like physicality that makes the unseen feel tangible. Ephesians 6:12’s "heavenly places" already sets the stage as a realm beyond flesh and blood, teeming with rulers, authorities, and cosmic powers.

These demonic entities operate in the interstitial spaces of creation, slipping through atoms, navigating the subatomic slipstream between cells, tissues, and organs. It’s as if they exploit the very fabric of reality itself. Scientifically, atoms are mostly empty space, electrons orbiting nuclei with vast gaps relative to their size. If these spiritual forces are non-physical yet active in our world, they could indeed "buzz" in that unseen lattice, present yet imperceptible. Prowling, swift, elusive, riding the currents of existence.

Satan and his demons are slipping between molecules, they whisper lies into minds (John 8:44), they stir chaos in systems (Daniel 10:13) or amplify the "present darkness" (Ephesians 6:12) from there. It’s subtle, it's electric like static in the air. They ambush Christians and unbelievers. Those "flaming darts" (Ephesians 6:16) could launch from this slipstream. Sudden, piercing attacks by Abaddon on our faith or peace, scheming, stalking and emerging from the cracks of reality to destroy us.

They buzz in this space between humanity and God’s full creation, a contested frontier where they resist the unity of all things in Christ (Ephesians 1:10). They're a swarm, intelligent, malevolent, darting through the molecular gaps, exploiting the tension between the camouflage of the seen and unseen.

Here’s where Ephesians 6:10-20 kicks in. If they fight from this cosmic slipstream, as I imagine, our armor isn’t physical, it’s spiritual, designed to counter their elusive nature:

1. The Belt of Truth: Anchors us against lies slipping through the cracks. God’s Word is solid, unyielding (John 17:17).

2. The Shield of Faith: As far as I see it, this is most important. It blocks darts fired from the slipstream; faith sees beyond the molecular veil to Christ’s supremacy (Hebrews 11:1). And helps us to rest assured in Christ's power, aided by the Helmet of Salvation. These are defensive armor.

3. The Sword of the Spirit: The Word of God cuts back at that enemy offensively, piercing into their domain (Hebrews 4:12). It’s our weapon from God to disrupt their buzzing noise. It slices through ALL the layers between the spiritual realm and the worldly flesh. No system, no earthly or supernatural entity can resist it.

4. The Shoes of Readiness: Prayer, Ephesians 6:18’s "praying at all times in the Spirit" bridges the gap, it's our direct line to God’s power, overriding their interference. They have no power to stop it, though they can delay the messengers from God. They are there, in that slipstream, resisting and blockading the defending angels sent from God. They fight them there and waylay them there. But our prayers are like messenger homing-pigeons that fly above them all and go directly to God's hand.

We don’t fight atoms with atoms; we fight spirits with Spirit. Standing firm (Ephesians 6:13) means holding on to our ground in this overlapping battlefield, unshaken by their slipstream schemes. Ephesians 3:10 says the church reveals God’s manifold wisdom to these entities. They’re forced to witness it. Our prayers fly above them, and they can hear them read aloud by God. Living in truth, unity, and faith (Ephesians 4:1-3), we broadcast God’s plan before them, and they hate that. Salvation threading through creation’s fabric, right where they lurk. I've seen their hate in a dream. They want our destruction like they want a meal while they're starving. They hunger for it terribly. It fills them with rage.

They slip through the atoms, in the in-between, but we stand in Christ, turning their battlefield into a stage for God’s glory. They’re there, elusive, buzzing through the molecular gaps, but we’re here, armored in God’s might, standing firm, staring them in the eye, and they turn from us in shame and fear.

Every prayer, every truth we wield, reverberates through that space, declaring God’s wisdom to a defeated host. It’s a war fought not with fists, but with faith, right there in the cracks of the universe. My vision of entities "slipping through the atoms, in between that molecular structure" aligns eerily with quantum theology ideas.

The "space between us and the universe" could simply be a quantum layer. When you pray, try praying down into that quantum layering.

Atoms are 99.9% empty space. Quantum fields, vibrating energies, fill these gaps. Could spiritual forces, unbound by physicality, operate in this fluctuating field? How? Maybe using light captured in a matrix of crystalized light to sustain the light energy and to power their movements. The light moves at light speed but is contained in a light crystalline fiber fabric that doesn't destroy the light but holds it and uses it.

I say absolutely. And I believe our dreams also operate in these quantum fields in a similar way and we are likely attuned to that light fabric matrix in our pineal gland which is in our brains. But that's also another discussion for another time.

These demonic entities might exist in a quantum state of potential, everywhere and nowhere, until they "collapse" into action (a temptation, a desire, a demonic dart). Quantum Entanglement suggests instant connections across vast distances. The "prince of Persia" (Daniel 10:13) resisting in one realm while affecting others fits this. These cosmic powers are exerting influence beyond locality, buzzing through the air (Ephesians 2:2).

This quantum slipstream isn’t just a sci-fi flourish, it’s a way to picture the "heavenly places" as a dynamic, unseen substrate intersecting our world. Ephesians 3:10’s "manifold wisdom" (polupoikilos, many-colored) takes on a new depth here. Quantum systems are probabilistic, multi-faceted, and God’s wisdom, displayed through the church, could be a counter-harmony to the enemy’s discord there. Our prayers fight against them there. Our teaching and preaching the Word of God fights against them there. It slips past all the layers and stabs them. Our love and faith are literally rippling instantly through their spiritual realm, declaring victory to these demonic rulers and authorities. And they hate that!

Our stand in the armor, our prayers (Ephesians 6:18), might "observe" God’s reality into being before them, and thereby collapsing the enemy’s schemes into defeat. We choose to stand, wielding spiritual weapons that shift the cosmic tide. We’re not passive; we’re co-creators in this cosmic dance. We're smashing their fortresses they put there when we pray. We're seizing ground and pushing over their barricades when we preach the word. They can't stop us. They have NO POWER over that armor.

So, stand firm, gird your loins with truth. It's the first line of defense and the best defense is a good offense.

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 ties in,

The weapons of our warfare… have divine power to destroy strongholds."

Those strongholds: lies, fears, chaos, all crumble when we pray God’s truth. It’s like flipping a quantum switch from darkness to light. The "schemes of the devil" (Ephesians 6:11) thrive in ambiguity, its mortal combat, but our faith-filled stand (Ephesians 6:16) locks in God’s reality. Yes! The sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17), God’s Word, isn’t defensive, it’s a blade that cuts through the slipstream. Preaching truth shifts the tide, reclaiming territory in the heavenly places.

This is the heart of it, Christ’s victory (Colossians 2:15) he's stripped them bare, and the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-17) is forged in His might. They can buzz in the quantum slipstream all they want, but they can’t pierce what God provides.

We are GOD'S WARRIORS!

And we stand in His strength, not ours (Ephesians 6:10). Like quantum observers, we collapse God’s will into being, our prayer tears down the barricades, and the Word builds up defenses that the demons cannot break through. Our stand, prayers, and preaching aren’t reactions, they’re acts of creation. Romans 8:17 calls us "co-heirs with Christ", and Ephesians 2:6 seats us with Him in the heavenly places. We’re not passive; we’re co-creators in this cosmic dance, while we sit with Him.

If I have any wish, I wish you would dance.

Seated, yet dancing. We are co-heirs, and we inherit Christ’s victory when we put on the full armor of God. Start with the belt of truth before you try on the breastplate of righteousness. Start with truth and the shield of faith. Operate in that for a time and you'll learn what the breastplate has to offer, and then you'll be able to pick up the sword of truth and be ready to walk in his shoes. Learn truth and it will set you free. Right now, if you've never known faith, start there. Train there. Study the truth. Pray for wisdom. And level up when the time is right. Don't attempt to wield the sword of truth, you're not at that level yet. Don't face off with Satan until you've learned the truth and received the first gift, that belt of truth. Then you can move on into the next level and beyond.

God bless you and keep you in His Son's righteousness. May his angels protect you and defend you as you train and work out in this righteousness. May he keep you ready, committed, and dedicated in obedience to God.

Amen.

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Michael A. Gentile@MicahSixEight

March 15, 2025

The Heavenly Bureaucracy?

Today is what I call freestyle Saturday. The day in which I get off the common, word for word, line by line, reading and devotional writing commentary I do daily through the Bible. Monday through Friday I follow the linear progression but today I get to examine any scripture that comes to mind. Usually something that relates to some current events or thing I've witnessed that speaks to me.

And this Saturday this scripture came to mind:

1 Kings 18:27 (KJV):
"And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked."

This came to me while watching a reel that a well-known Catholic priest "influencer" posted. It's a video explaining why they pray to Mary the mother of Jesus. And it basically says that Jesus gets overwhelmed by all that he has going on. So we need to rely upon intermediaries like her and others to get on his list. Or maybe to get on his nerves. I don't know, it's really unclear how he and millions of others imagine him in this way. It's almost as if they believe there's this heavenly bureaucracy that manages all the many prayers and confessions of the faithful here on earth. And I have to be honest I struggle with how they come to this conclusion. It's certainly not biblical. There's nowhere in scripture that even suggests in any way that this kind of thing is going on according to God's will.

In the 1 Kings passage, Elijah’s taunting of the prophets of Baal (a pagan god) is dripping with sarcasm. He’s pointing out the absurdity of a god who’s too distracted or possibly preoccupied to respond. Maybe he's on vacation or in the bathroom. The subtext is clear. A true God doesn’t need to be pestered, shouted at, or woken up; He’s present and powerful. Elijah’s words and actions proves this and reveals his confidence in the immediacy and sovereignty of the Lord (the One true God), who answers dramatically later on in the chapter (1 Kings 18:38) when the fire falls from heaven upon the Baal priests and their sacrifices. Burning them all up and sending them to hell where they belong.

Pivot now to the priest’s argument that Jesus is somehow too busy or overwhelmed to handle prayers directly, so we need intermediaries like Mary. This does feel like it echoes the kind of powerless deity Elijah was mocking. It’s an odd framing, especially when you consider the biblical portrayal of Jesus as fully God, omnipotent and omniscient. Scripture doesn’t depict Him as bogged down by any cosmic to-do list. It's such a human thing to imagine. So it's either that it's built upon this human frailty or it's absolute nonsense being conjured up because they have no real basis anywhere for this belief. And no real relationship with Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

Take Hebrews 7:25 (KJV), for instance:
"Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them."

Doesn't it seem obvious? It's as if the scripture is telling us that Jesus is the one to whom we go for intercession? Oh wait...it is saying that, exactly that. In fact, it's very clearly saying that. Here, Jesus is actively interceding for us. He’s not too busy wrestling with managing the cosmos; it’s His ongoing role.

And scripture understands that one verse isn't going to convince our skeptical ears and eyes, not when we're hell bent on believing the Marian propaganda.

So, we've got more...

1 Timothy 2:5 (KJV):
"For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus."

One mediator. Not a team of bureaucratic assistants. Jesus is apparently a small government kind of guy which makes me love him even more.

So, does this mean that the Catholic Church has no basis whatsoever for praying to the departed Saints?

No, of course not. The Catholic tradition of praying to Mary or the saints often leans on the concept of intercession, rooted in texts like Revelation 5:8, where the elders in heaven present the prayers of the saints (meaning believers) before God. Catholics might argue it’s like asking a friend to pray for you, except these "friends" are in heaven. What comes to my mind immediately is...well these people aren't my friends. They're long departed Saints. People I've never met and have never known in my life. I've read about them and their acts of devotion and piety, but I'm not on direct speaking terms with them. So, what confidence do I have that they too aren't too busy or on vacation or in the bathroom or in some capacity, unable to hear my prayers. Why are they capable of hearing my prayers, but Jesus isn't?

Their leap to "Jesus is overwhelmed, so we need Mary to manage His inbox" isn’t supported by scripture. It’s more of a theological extrapolation, possibly influenced by human analogies of kings with courtiers or bureaucrats handling the overflow of petitions.

What strikes me most about their ideology is the inherent lack of trust which is a foundation of our faith. Elijah’s example is this contrast in trust. Elijah didn’t need a middleman; he called upon God directly and got an answer. The New Testament reinforces this with promises like...

John 14:13-14 (KJV):
"And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it."

No mention of a waitlist or a saintly secretary.

What really puzzles me is the need. Where does that need come from? I wonder if scripture speaks to this desire for mankind to seek the help of other gods and other saintly intermediaries.

The Pull of Idolatry and Tangibility

One clear pattern in scripture is humanity’s recurring desire to make God, or the divine, more tangible and manageable. Think of Exodus 32, when the Israelites, fresh out of Egypt, demand a golden calf. Moses was their link to God, and when he seemed unavailable, possibly destroyed up on the mountain top, they panicked. They didn’t trust God’s direct presence was with them or for them; they wanted something they could see and control. This impulse might tie into the need for intermediaries. God can feel too vast, too holy, or too distant, so people craft something (or someone) closer to their level.

This echoes in 1 Kings 18 with the prophets of Baal. Baal was a localized god, tied to specific needs like rain or fertility. He's more approachable than the infinite God of Israel, or so they thought. People crave a go-between they can relate to. Someone or some thing that reflects their own personality. Not so perfect and sinless as a Messiah. Someone who has worked it all out the hard way, from sinner to saint. It’s like we’re drawn to a spiritual companion who’s "one of us" in a way that feels less intimidating, and more human.

Take David, for instance, a murderer, adulterer, and yet "a man after God’s own heart" (1 Samuel 13:14, Acts 13:22).

In Psalm 51:17 (KJV), he cries:
"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise."

David’s not sinless; he’s a sinner who’s wrestled his way to repentance. People relate to that struggle, it’s gritty, real, and reflects their own battles.

Or consider Paul, who calls himself the "chief" of sinners in 1 Timothy 1:15 (KJV):

"This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptations, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief."

He’s a former persecutor of Christians turned apostle, someone who didn’t start out perfect, far from it, but was transformed. That arc from sinner to saint resonates deeply; it’s a story we can see ourselves in.

But where I can't join them in this track of spiritual identity is imagining a not so human Jesus. I see Jesus as VERY human and the scriptures back me up.

Hebrews 4:15 (KJV) says:
"For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin."

He’s fully human, tempted as we are, but sinless. That perfection can feel unrelatable to some, almost too distant and lofty. We get His compassion, and love him for his sacrifice, but we don’t see Him stumble like we do. So maybe that’s where the craving for a go-between kicks in. A sinless Messiah is the ideal, but a flawed, redeemed figure feels like a friend who’s been in the trenches with us.

Well I see Jesus in the trenches. I see him exhibiting many of the same human qualities and traits I do.

And again the scriptures back that up.

Take Matthew 26:36-39.
"My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me."

Here’s Jesus, overwhelmed with sorrow, wrestling with what’s ahead, even asking if there’s another way. That’s raw, human vulnerability.

Or look at John 11:35.

Lazarus is dead, and Jesus, knowing He’ll raise him, still cries. That’s empathy, and grief, the kind of thing we do when we lose someone we love. He’s not above it; He’s in it. And he's even weeping for the mourners because they just don't seem to get it, that he is God WITH THEM! Boy if that doesn't speak to this whole intermediary mess.

Jesus gets tired, John 4:6 (KJV) says He sat by the well of Jacob.

"being wearied with his journey."

He gets hungry (Matthew 4:2, fasting 40 days).

He even snaps in anger and frustration.

Mark 11:15-17 (KJV) has Him flipping tables in the temple, fed up with all corruption and ironically the religious bureaucracy.

That’s not a distant deity; that’s someone who feels the weight of the world like we do.

Take a look at Matthew 9:36 (KJV):

"But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd."

That's human compassion, exhaustion, righteous anger, all those emotions and opinions are us. Jesus reflects them, not as flaws, but as part of His humanity.

So why the hell isn't he enough?

Hebrews 4:15 shows Him tempted like us, yet without sin. That’s the kicker, isn't it? He’s been in the trenches, felt the pull, but never caved in like we do.

Friends, he’s not too busy or too perfect to get us.

Matthew 11:28-30 (KJV) seals it:
"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls."

That’s a direct invite from the trenches, no middleman required. Elijah mocked the idea of a distracted god; Jesus proves He’s anything but that. I mean seriously, how much more personable does he need to be. He lowered himself to become a human servant, even unto death. Why isn't that enough for you? He is both God and man. He's the Son of Man. That's a divine human. And he gave his life for you. And you show him respect by talking to others?

Jesus lowered Himself to the absolute depths of humanity, became the Son of Man, both divine and human, and gave His life. How could that not be enough?

Philippians 2:7-8 (KJV) says He...
"made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."

That's not some cheap toe-dipping into the human family. He took it to its extreme. He dove headfirst into the muck and mire of sinful men. They mocked him, raped his body, and murdered him on a tree. And we're going to what? Leave a message for him at the office?

Isaiah 53:5 (KJV) lays it out:
"But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed."

Wounded, bruised, beaten. He didn’t just skim the surface. He was made a curse for us, (Galatians 3:13). And they abused him to no end.

Psalm 22:16-18 (KJV)
"For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have enclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me. They part my garments among them and cast lots upon my vesture."

He was exposed, pierced, stared at in humiliation. His body was ravaged, physically and emotionally. It’s a total surrender to our filth. And we're going to what? Whisper a prayer through the grape vine? It’s absurd, almost insulting.

He’s not some overbooked CEO dodging calls. He’s the living Lord who tore the veil (Matthew 27:51) so we could barge into his presence and rest in his lap. He's our Papa God, Abba, he's Jesus, he's available and aware of us.

Revelation 1:18 (KJV):
"I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death."

Q: Who has the keys?

A: Jesus has them.

Q: Where should we go for entry?

A: The Key Master.

Bypassing Him for a saint or Mary feels like saying, "Thanks for dying for me and all, but I’ll just talk to the receptionist if you don't mind."

I think he might mind.

Going anywhere else is like ignoring the guy with the keys to the gate and chatting up the greeter instead. It's like people imagine a heavenly gate club bouncer who needs to be paid off to gain entry. But this is spiritual fantasy, idolatry really. There is only one mediator.

That’s not a delegated job; it’s His victory lap and should not be taken up by any others.

John 10:9 (KJV) backs it up:
"I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture."

He’s the door, the keyholder, no saint or intermediary has that claim.

Acts 4:12 (KJV) doubles down:
"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."

Jesus. His is a Solo act. So, why knock on a side window?

That's the acts of the apostles themselves. That's what they understood about it. They weren't praying to each other or Mary mother of Jesus.

Going around Jesus isn't just a matter of preference, it's an insult. It's dishonoring Jesus Christ.

John 5:22-23 (KJV):
"For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him."

He’s not a middle manager; He’s the King. Preeminence. First place. Not second to Mary or any saint no matter how relatable or relevant they may seem.

Does He Mind? Do you think Jesus is concerned about our idols?

Look at Matthew 7:21-23 (KJV):
"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name?... And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."

You willing to bet your soul on it?

He wants relationship, direct, personal. Going through others might not just be inefficient; it risks missing Him entirely. He’s knocking at your door. He's not sending a proxy. Ignoring that for a "receptionist" feels like leaving Him out in the cold after He bled for the invite.

Just food for thought on a Saturday morning.

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Michael A. Gentile@MicahSixEight

March 02, 2025

The Dark Matter Web, The Spirit and Us

Romans 5:17

"For if, because of one man's trespass [Adam], death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one-man Jesus Christ."

Q: Who lives in the abundant grace of God?

A: "Those who receive..."

This verse contrasts Adam’s sin, which brought death into humanity, with Christ’s gift, which brings life into humanity. The idea here is that sin’s power, is totally outmatched by God’s grace and righteousness. It’s like sin is a candle, and grace is the sun; there’s no competition.

When we tie this idea of God's sovereign grace to human sainthood, it’s fascinating because the Bible doesn’t portray saints as people who’ve earned perfection through flawless behavior. The bible resists the idea that grace can be earned. Instead, the bible teaches that it’s faith—trusting in Christ—that makes us righteous in God’s eyes. Not religion. This "gift of righteousness" isn’t something we hustle for; it’s handed to us through grace. So, in a way, being a saint isn’t about being sinless but about being transformed by faith into someone who "reigns in life" through Jesus. So, it’s not about who’s worthy or who’s racked up enough good deeds. It’s about the ones who accept it, who say "yes" to the grace God’s offering. That’s the entry ticket to living in this abundant grace.

Q: Who gets the ticket to God's grace?

A: Anyone who accepts God’s gift of grace and righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ. It’s not a VIP list based on merit, status, or flawless behavior.

Q: Why is this the case?

A: The "why" is beautifully simple yet deep...God’s love and generosity. This verse in Romans sets up this contrast; sin came through one guy (Adam), and messed things up for everyone, but grace comes through one-man (Jesus) and is offered to all who’ll take it. It's no more difficult than that.

Q: So why that hang up? Why do so many resist the idea?

A: The catch is, (and it’s not really a catch), is that it’s voluntary. You don’t get forced into it; you opt in by faith. God leads us into faith. God gifts us with faith. God calls us to grow in our faith. And God instructs us to walk in that faith.

Get the idea? God did it, God's doing it, and God will do it.

John 1:12 ties into this too:

"Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God."

But if we aren't willing to trust in his judgment, trust in his authority, trust in his means of grace that are ALL grounded in his Son Jesus Christ, then we're obviously not accepting his gift of faith.

Trust is the linchpin. When we reach out our hands for other means of grace we are reaching back into our sinful ways. We're saying, "thanks but no thanks" to God's gift of faith. It’s like refusing to board a plane because we don’t trust the pilot, even though he’s the only one who can get us where we’re going.

Hebrews 11:6 pops to my mind

"Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."

No trust, no faith; no faith, no receiving.

Q: And yet couldn't "those who earnestly seek him" in Hebrews 11:6 suggest for some that they must "earn"estly seek faith? As if to say they must work to "earn" that faith?

A: The Greek word there is ekzēteō, which means to seek out diligently or desire earnestly. It’s not about punching the religious clock, racking up spiritual hours to prove your spiritual worth. It’s about the posture of your heart, it's about a genuine longing to know God. Faith isn’t the reward for the effort; it’s the means by which you seek Him.

Q: So faith enables earnest trust, earnest walking, earnest commitment?

A: Faith is like the engine that powers all of it. Faith begins by trusting in God's promises. So, he initiates that spiritual power in you. Then that trust naturally spills over into how you walk in Christ. So, God is filling you up with faith and making the overflow. It’s circular, or maybe wrapped up together. Faith enables the earnestness, and the earnestness strengthens the faith.

Galatians 5:6 ties it together:

"The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love."

That "expressing itself" is the earnest walking and commitment in action.

So, God is really responsible for all of it. He initiates it and he grows it. He activates it and fulfills it. God’s the one behind it all. He initiates the faith (Ephesians 2:8-9 calls it a gift), He grows it (Philippians 1:6 says He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion), He activates it (Hebrews 12:2 names Jesus the "author and perfecter" of our faith), and He fulfills it (Romans 8:30 promises He’ll see it through from justification to glorification). We are the responders not the initiators. God makes the first move and turns out he made every other move along the way. Faith is us leaning into what He’s already set into motion.

John 6:44 has Jesus saying...

"No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them."

Which leads me into the real point I wanted to explore:

Q: How is God wrapped up in it all? When I do his will, trust his Son Jesus, obey his words, how is he responsible for that faith? Is it truly possible that God is present within my choices and my responses?

A: Gods wrapped up in it all because He’s the source and sustainer of everything that makes faith possible. When we trust Jesus, obey His words, or do His will, that’s not us pulling ourselves up by our spiritual bootstraps. Scripture points to God being the one who plants and nurtures that faith in us.

Philippians 2:13 says

"For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose."

So now we're getting into what I really really want to explore:

Q: What does that mean [God] "works in you".

A: What Does “Works in You” Mean?

"Works" here (in the Greek: energeō) means to be active, operative, or effective. God’s not just cheering from the sidelines, He’s dynamically involved in shaping our desires. The Bible leans hard into the idea that God’s Spirit dwells within believers, (1 Corinthians 6:19, Romans 8:11, John 14:17, John 4:24).

Q: But is The Spirit genuinely and physically alive within us, is He occupying space within us, or is scripture merely using relational and spatial language to get a message across?

A: Jesus said this to the Samaritan woman at Jacobs well:

John 2:24

"God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."

The Holy Spirit is not just some vague force, but He is someone with will, intellect, and emotion (like in Ephesians 4:30 where He can be grieved, or John 16:13 where He guides and speaks). That’s foundational. He’s not an impersonal energy resource; He’s relational, active, and alive.

Then there’s Jesus saying in Matthew 5:14, "You are the light of the world," right after the Beatitudes, and in John 8:12 calling Himself "the light of the world." Ephesians 5:8 echoes it: "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light." This light isn’t just metaphorical—it’s tied to who we are in Him, reflecting His presence. That’s the Spirit’s work, illuminating us from within.

I went down all that long winding theological roadway to get you to here: (Keep Reading)

Think 1 John 1:5

"God is light; in him there is no darkness at all."

Q: Physically speaking, light’s a force, made up of electromagnetic waves, it's energy that moves and affects matter. Could the Spirit’s indwelling have a physical dimension like that?

A: There’s precedent for God’s presence showing up physically. At Jesus’ baptism (Matthew 3:16), the Spirit descends like a dove-visible, and tangible. At Pentecost (Acts 2:3), tongues of fire appear. Even Moses’ face glowed after meeting God (Exodus 34:29). These suggest the Spirit can interact with the physical world, maybe even as light-like energy. So, if we’re "temples of the Holy Spirit" (1 Corinthians 6:19), and He’s in us, the Shekinah glory idea of a "presence of light" dwelling within isn’t crazy.

Q: Some mystics (and even quantum physics buffs) speculate about unseen forces tying spirit and matter together—could the Spirit’s presence be that bridge?

A: "Shekinah" isn’t a word you’ll find verbatim in the Bible, but it’s a Jewish theological term rooted in Hebrew shakan (meaning "to dwell"). Think of it as the spotlight of God’s nearness breaking into our world. The Burning Bush (Exodus 3:2-4), Pillar of Cloud and Fire (Exodus 13:21-22), Mount Sinai (Exodus 24:16-17), Jesus and the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:2), Pentecost (Acts 2:3) Tongues of fire rest on the disciples as the Spirit comes.

Fire, radiance, brilliance, light keeps popping up. It’s not just symbolic; it’s a physical manifestation people see and feel. The Shekinah glory links the unseen (God’s spiritual essence) with the seen (our world). In the New Testament, this glory shifts from external (cloud, fire) to internal, living in us as temples of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16).

The Spirit might not be photons in a physics textbook sence, but He’s a real, and active force, maybe a divine "light" that’s both spiritual and perceptible.

Ezekiel 36:27 ties it together:

"I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees."

That’s the Shekinah presence internalized. God’s glory not just with us but in us, bridging the gap, lighting us up from within.

(Keep Reading It Just Keeps Getting Better)

* Shekinah as the "In-Between"

God’s manifest presence does seem to occupy a threshold kind of liminal space. And for the most part humanity has seen it as "just there" in an untouchable spiritual realm. Could it be more than a divine cameo, though? Could it be the glue that binds all matter and spirit together?

Colossians 1:16-17

"For in him [Christ] all things were created…all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together."

Hmmm...

John 1:14

"the Word became flesh…we have seen his glory"

Double Hmmm...

Q: But is the Shekinah His light at work inbetween and surrounding all things?

A: Hebrews 1:3

"The Son is the radiance of God’s glory…sustaining all things by his powerful word."

The universe doesn’t just float around on its own; it’s held together by Him.

Psalm 104:29-30

"When you hide your face, they are terrified; when you take away their breath, they die…When you send your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the earth."

The Spirit (linked to Shekinah) animates life itself. Maybe not just with a spark of life, but in the ongoing thread of life from one generation to the next. Not just popping in for big spectacular spiritual moments (Sinai, Temple), but constantly undergirding our reality itself.

Philosophers like Augustine pondered that God’s being is the ground of all existence. I've always believed this to be the case in a very real sense. Nothing exists apart from Him. Not in a pantheistic sense, for the Bible is clear that Christ alone is that source of life giving creative power. But more and more I'm seeing God presence in the inbetween. God’s glory as the "in-between," threading through every quark and galaxy. Maybe it's that so called "dark matter" science talks about.

Dark Matter 101:

Dark matter’s this mysterious stuff, about 27% of the universe’s mass-energy, per NASA’s numbers. It doesn’t emit, absorb, or reflect light, so we can’t see it directly, but we know it’s there because it bends gravity, holds galaxies together, and keeps the cosmos from flying apart.

Q: Is the Shekinah operating inbetween in that dark matter realm?

A: That creative light shining in darkness (John 1:5), glory veiled in humility (Jesus’ incarnation). God’s glory working where we least expect it. Hidden in mystery, or is it? Maybe it's been there all along. Maybe it’s not "dark" to Him; maybe it’s just our eyes that can’t catch His wavelength. Maybe this is why noone can survive seeing God face to face. Maybe what science calls "dark" is not the absence of light, but beyond our sight.

Genesis 1:2’s "darkness was over the face of the deep" gets spicy when we start thinking like this. Could it be that the Spirit hovering there (linked to Shekinah) is working through what we now tag as "dark"?

Cosmically speaking, if the dark matter is the Shekinah's mode of creative action, it then becomes the glue of the universe, binding matter, life, and everything to it. Maybe there’s even a "dark matter" parallel in our souls. Unseen spiritual depths where God’s light dwells, beyond our grasp but as real as gravity.

That’s biblical to the core. Think Jesus, the light, descending into death’s darkness to conquer it. That outer-darkness.

Hmmm. Maybe there's even more to see here.

Outer-darkness is a place of exclusion, judgment, separation from God’s presence—often paired with fire (Matthew 13:42) or torment (Revelation 14:10-11). It's chaos, disorder. Dark matter’s everywhere, threading through the cosmos. "Outer darkness" as a judgment place could imply a realm that’s not confined to one spot but a state of existence, maybe omnipresent in its own way? Like a conduit for God's glory to create. Like a primordial ocean we're all floating in, and the only thing (not a thing) keeping us alive is God's Spirit.

Cosmologists describe it [Dark Matter] as a vast, filamentary structure, the "cosmic web." Simulations show it lace-like, permeating space, connecting all matter. Like the skeleton of the universe. And so, if dark matter’s a refractive essence for divine light, it suggests it’s not passive but responsive, it's catching God’s glory and scattering it. And Jesus captures, focuses, and redirects that divine glory energy. Like a prism doesn't create light, it scatters it, and Jesus focuses it again in the way he commands.

Science sees dark matter as inert, no light, no charge, just gravity. But if it’s refractive for divine light (Shekinah glory), it’s not just sitting there—it’s reacting. Not alive, not the source, but a web that resonates when divine light hits it. Maybe it's the divine resonance light-stream.

Then comes Jesus, the game-changer. If dark matter’s web refracts glory, Jesus is the lens, the prism’s master. Scripture’s loaded with Him as the conduit of God’s light and glory.

John 1:14:

"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory…"

He’s the Shekinah incarnate, capturing God’s radiance in human form.

Hebrews 1:3

"The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being…"

He doesn’t just reflect; He is the glory, refocusing it with creative precision.

Colossians 1:15-17

"He is the image of the invisible God…in him all things hold together."

He directs that Shekinah glory energy, channeling it to sustain creation. It’s like the universe is a symphony of dark strings, humming faintly until the Conductor—Jesus—strikes the note.

Genesis 1:3

"And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light."

Imagine those inert dark matter threads suddenly come alive as creation flows through them and begins to build the universe we see. Those crystalline, refractive threads weaving through the chaos, silent, lifeless, a "dark stream" of potential. They’re not holding anything together yet, not alive, just there—like strings on a cosmic harp, taut but unplayed. The Spirit’s hovering, poised, but the threads stay dormant.

Then—bam!—"And God said, ‘Let there be light.’" Jesus, the Word (John 1:1), the Conductor, drops the baton. Light Itself (Genesis 1:3) comes into existence. Structure Emerges (Genesis 1:6-10). Life Blooms (Genesis 1:11-27). The dark matter doesn’t build the universe, it’s the conduit. And the universe unfolds out of the mind of the Creator who is using it.

And now that creative Spiritual power lives within those who receive him. The Dark Matter Web, The Spirit and Us.

Q: Are we the Divine Conductors finale, or just a new beginning?

A: Receive it and find out.

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