Contextual Review

I’m getting tired of the constant news that seems to be putting gas on the fire of fear. Everyone has to tell their view, and their side of the story. Narrowing the story down to the facts is basically what I want.

“Just the facts, m’am. Just the facts.”

So. Since many want to put up their slide and paint their picture, how do we get the facts?

For several days it’s been stated that the US is following Italy on number of COVID-19 cases and what it will mean to us. Well, reviewing the two worlds contextually shows that Italy is about the size of Arizona, and their population is smaller (62 million). Put all those people into into Arizona and you may see something similar in the incidence of the disease.

Contextual review. It’s like comparing apples to oranges. Yes, fruit, skin, round, seeds, sweet, nutritious, grows on a tree… But when you compare their insides you see the big differences. Their skins are different. They are no longer contextually the same. You may find it easier to compare an orange to a lemon, or an apple to a pear!

Go ahead. Compare your MAC to my Windows machine all day long. I will not be convinced no matter what your contextual review might say! Compare your Ford to my Dodge… Get it? Sometimes our minds are made up. Nothing will change our perspective.

Here’s My Thought Today

Every one of us is different. Unique. Our situations are often compared to someone else that other people know. There may be comparative similarities, but we all have a different story to tell. Our backstory, path, experience and result can be totally different. Why we got to where we are before we try to compare is so unique!

Consider this. Two thieves are hung on the cross beside Jesus. Can we compare them simply because of their death sentence? Or, do we understand their personality better because of the snippet of scripture we read.

“One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.””  
Luke 23:39-43 (ESV)

Contextual Review. Both had the opportunity to speak to Jesus equally. One accused. The other recognized their guilt. One demanded. One asked. One spoke to Jesus, the other failed to follow through.

The one thing I can say, that sort of puts all of us into the same contextual position… All of us have sinned. Each of us need Jesus. He’s the only solution. (Romans 3:23)