I confess. I read the comics every day. There’s not always something profound in them, especially not “Pearls before Swine,” but Stephan Pastis wrote a winner, published August 30, 2020.

Here’s the text:

Rat’s question for the guru: How do we rid ourselves of the pandemic that plagues us?

The guru’s answer:

• We must all read more. Not your Facebook news feed but good books that inform and enlighten.
• And pay for local journalism because if you don’t, it’ll go away.
• And strive to be informed, actually informed, instead of only seeking information that conforms to your world view.

Rat’s response: And this will end COVID-19?

The guru’s clarification: I thought we were talking about stupidity.

Rat’s conclusion: Apparently there’s more than one plague.

So many applications. For example, I am working through several books to try to better understand racial issues. I’m finding this book very disturbing: The Color of Compromise: The Truth about the American Church’s Complicity in Racism by Jemar Tisby. Disturbing because of the decisions made within various churches and denominations as well as silence in the face of atrocities committed against black people. It’s definitely a book that enlightens, informs, and is outside the way I used to see the world.

A more general application is, am I teachable? Jesus spoke to this.

You have been given a teachable heart to perceive the secret, hidden mysteries of God’s kingdom realm. But to those who don’t have a listening heart, my words are merely stories. Even though they have eyes, they are blind to the true meaning of what I say, and even though they listen, they won’t receive full revelation. (Luke 8.10, Passion Translation)

God calls us to not be stupid.

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge… (Hosea 4.6, ESV)

“Behold, the days are coming,” declares the Lord GOD, “when I will send a famine on the land—not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD. (Amos 8.11, ESV)

If you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. (Proverbs 2.1 – 5, ESV)

Sometimes we gloss over the decisions of everyday people as we look at the more spectacular life of Jesus. But a conversation with a friend on his difficulty finding time for both exercise and time with God was in the back of my mind as I read this short paragraph:

Soon afterward, Jesus began a ministry tour throughout the country, visiting cities and villages to announce the wonderful news of God’s kingdom realm. His twelve disciples traveled with him and also a number of women…Among the women were Susanna and Joanna, the wife of Chusa, who managed King Herod’s household. Many other women who supported Jesus’ ministry from their own personal finances also traveled with him. (Luke 8.1 – 3, Passion Translation)

“His twelve disciples traveled with him and also a number of women…” In order to travel with Jesus, one has to not do something else. To use one’s money to support Jesus’ ministry is not to use the money for something else. (This isn’t rocket science.) 

Life is filled with choices. Some of these women were wealthy and could have spent their time doing what wealthy women did in those days, probably sitting around being waited on. Instead, they’re on the road with Jesus with no Hilton or Marriott hotels waiting at the end of the day! 

I don’t know the solution for my friend. Dick Schultz, former president of the US Olympic Committee, former head of the NCAA, had a daily routine that included one hour of exercise and one hour time with God. Since he needed an hour to get ready for the day, he got out of bed three hours before his first meeting! That was Dick Schultz’ solution. Of course, if his first meeting was at 7, he had to get up at 4. That would mean he couldn’t stay up late to watch, say, a game on television.

I know of no way around sacrificial choices to do what’s important. 

Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. (Luke 9.23, 24, NIV)

Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice? …Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her. (Proverbs 8.1, 10, 11, NIV)

The story of Jesus having dinner with Simon the Pharisee (Luke 7.36 – 50) speaks to the difference between religious people and Jesus, and it’s a bit scary. Simon thinks he’s following God. Actually, he probably thinks he’s doing God a favor by being so separated, so holy. And in the process, he completely misses what God is about. 

In the neighborhood there was an immoral woman of the streets, known to all to be a prostitute… [She] knelt at the feet of Jesus in front of all the guests. Broken and weeping, she covered his feet with the tears that fell from her face. She kept crying and drying his feet with her long hair. Over and over she kissed Jesus’ feet… When Simon saw what was happening, he thought, “This man can’t be a true prophet. If he were really a prophet, he would know what kind of sinful woman is touching him.” (Luke 7.37 – 39, Passion Translation)

But Jesus is demonstrating what God is really like. 

Then Jesus said to the woman at his feet, “All your sins are forgiven.” (Luke 7.48, Passion Translation) 

Jesus mixes with “sinners,” lets them know their sins are forgiven, and tells them they are free to start fresh. 

Then Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith in me has given you life. Now you may leave and walk in the ways of peace.” (Luke 7.50, Passion Translation)

I was struck yesterday by Jesus’ description of John the Baptist:

After John’s messengers departed, Jesus spoke about John to the audience crowded around him, saying, “What kind of man did you expect to see out in the wilderness? Did you expect to see a man who would be easily influenced and shaken by the shifting opinions of others? Who did you really go there to see? Did you expect to see a man decked out in the splendid fashion of the day? They are the ones who live in the lap of luxury, embracing the values of this world. Or did you discover a true prophet out in the lonely wilderness? Yes, John was a legitimate prophet. Even more than that, he was the fulfillment of this Scripture: ‘See, I am sending my prophetic messenger who will go ahead of me and prepare hearts to receive me.’ Luke 7:24-27 (The Passion Translation)

I understand that John was a prophet, not a leader, but it’s hard not to contrast this description of John with that of political leaders today. What John wasn’t, many “leaders” are:

• Easily influenced and shaken by the shifting opinions of others
• Decked out in the splendid fashion of the day
• Living in the lap of luxury
• Embracing the values of this world

Downtown Beirut blew up because “leaders” failed to move 2,700 tons of ammonium nitrate, an explosive, from the downtown area, even though they had six years to do so. Where are leaders who can lead? Who know how to do something besides run for office? (I don’t want to get into a political discussion here – I’m talking about both parties in the U.S.)

It’s a matter for prayer:

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. (1 Timothy 2.1, 2, NIV)

Seth Godin, who has written eloquently and at length about how education might be improved, wrote a blog this week reminding us that there’s a difference between education and learning. Here’s a snippet:

Education is the hustle for a credential. It exchanges compliance for certification. An institution can educate you. Learning can’t be done to you. It is a choice and it requires active participation, not simple adherence to metrics. Seth Godin, August 24, 2020 (emphasis mine)

It’s a great point, in and of itself, and I’ll confess that I’ve taken A LOT of education courses purely for the credential. But the point I want to make today is, I think we can apply the same “credential” attitude to our spiritual disciplines. For example:

• Do we attend church just to “check the box” that we were there or to engage in worship and actually try to learn and apply truth from the sermon?
• Is our daily time with God another box to check or are we actively listening to hear what God is saying to us?
• Do we say the Lord’s prayer or pray it?

As for you, son of man, your people are talking together about you by the walls and at the doors of the houses, saying to each other, “Come and hear the message that has come from the LORD.” My people come to you, as they usually do, and sit before you to hear your words, but they do not put them into practice. Their mouths speak of love, but their hearts are greedy for unjust gain. Indeed, to them you are nothing more than one who sings love songs with a beautiful voice and plays an instrument well, for they hear your words but do not put them into practice. (Ezekiel 33.30 – 32, ESV)

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. (James 1.22, NIV)

I wrote yesterday about the Roman centurion who wouldn’t let Jesus come to his house. He understood grace way better than most religious people. He also understood Jesus’ power better than most.

[There was] a Roman military captain who had a beloved servant he valued highly, and the servant was sick to the point of death. When the captain heard that Jesus was in the city, he sent some respected Jewish elders to plead with him to come and heal his dying servant. So they came to Jesus and told him, “The Roman captain is a wonderful man. If anyone deserves to have a visit from you, it is him. Won’t you please come to his home and heal his servant? For he loves the Jewish people, and he even built our meeting hall for us.” Jesus started off with them, but on his way there, he was stopped by friends of the captain, who gave this message: “Master, don’t bother to come to me in person, for I am not good enough for you to enter my home. I’m not worthy enough to even come out to meet one like you. But if you would just release the manifestation of healing right where you are, I know that my young servant will be healed. (Luke 7.2 – 7, Passion Translation)

Jesus commended his faith:

When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” (Luke 7.9, NIV)

But what was the nature of his faith? It was that Jesus had POWER without the need for PROXIMITY. Proximity is a good thing. It is difficult to have community without it, for example. But sometimes, proximity isn’t possible. In that case, we have a third “P” – PRAYER. The formula might be:

PRAYER -> POWER with or without PROXIMITY

We have the opportunity to pray for people, essentially asking Jesus to bring his power to bear on a situation whether we can be there in person or not. As a friend of mine likes to say, “What would you pray for if you knew that the “prayer gun” was loaded?”

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. (Ephesians 6.18 – 20, NIV)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4.6, 7, NIV)

I’m struck by the story of the Roman centurion who wouldn’t let Jesus come to his house.

[There was] a Roman military captain who had a beloved servant he valued highly, and the servant was sick to the point of death. When the captain heard that Jesus was in the city, he sent some respected Jewish elders to plead with him to come and heal his dying servant. So they came to Jesus and told him, “The Roman captain is a wonderful man. If anyone deserves to have a visit from you, it is him. Won’t you please come to his home and heal his servant? For he loves the Jewish people, and he even built our meeting hall for us.” Jesus started off with them, but on his way there, he was stopped by friends of the captain, who gave this message: “Master, don’t bother to come to me in person, for I am not good enough for you to enter my home. I’m not worthy enough to even come out to meet one like you. But if you would just release the manifestation of healing right where you are, I know that my young servant will be healed. (Luke 7.2 – 7, Passion Translation)

Note the contrast. The Jewish elders argued on the basis of merit. He “deserves” it. “He loves the Jewish people, and he even built our meeting hall for us.” The centurion considered himself unworthy. 

I’m not sure that most Jewish believers even began to understand grace even after Peter articulated the concept clearly in Acts 15. Do we?

No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that WE are saved, just as they are.” (Acts 15.11, NIV, emphasis mine)

A friend of mine shared with me “three ways to look at the church.” He said that some people see the church as a hospital where they can come to be healed of life’s spiritual or physical issues. Others see it as a private club, a dispenser of goods and services for them and their family. My friend sees it as a barracks, a place where soldiers live, not permanently, but while they are training to be sent into battle. He would argue that the barracks image comes closer to the church’s mission as described in Ephesians 4:

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (Ephesians 4.11 – 13, NIV)

As an equipping station, barracks works.

But as I was thinking of writing this blog, the image Jesus himself used comes to mind. What about battering ram!?

Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16.16 – 18, ESV, emphasis mine)

Jesus is clear: the church is a battering ram, breaking down the gates of hell. Not with violence but, as I’ve written before, with deeds of love and mercy, along with proclamation of the gospel.

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. (Luke 4.18, 19, ESV)

I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. (Philippians 1.12 – 14, ESV)

I was struck by the phrase “deep and secure foundation” from Jesus’ parable of the wise and foolish builders as recorded in Luke 6:

Let me describe the one who truly follows me and does what I say. He is like a man who chooses the right place to build a house and then lays a deep and secure foundation. (Luke 6.47, 48, Passion Translation)

Here are some preliminary thoughts:

• When we’re making disciples, the objective is someone “who truly follows Jesus and does what he says.”
• The key is a “deep and secure foundation.”
• Jesus is that foundation! Paul writes that we are “Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone.” (Ephesians 2.19, ESV)

So the key is to connect people to Jesus. That’s why I push daily time with God so hard. People need to be connected to Jesus – not to me, not to my church, not to some eloquent Bible teacher or writer, but to Jesus. 

And we’re not connected to Jesus for the purpose of learning facts about him but for the purpose of “doing what he says.” 

Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them. (John 14.21, NIV)

My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge… I…delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is. So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness… For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. (Colossians 2.2 – 10, NIV)

I have written before about the lack of civility in communication, especially on social media. Therefore, it’s refreshing when someone tries to do their part in spreading good cheer. Here’s an example on NextDoor from last night. It made me laugh out loud then and again this morning.

I don’t know Ryan, but I appreciate his ministry.

A cheerful disposition is good for your health; gloom and doom leave you bone-tired. (Proverbs 17.22, MSG)

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! (Philippians 4.4, NKJV)