I was talking with my young friend Quinton Williams, who now lives in California. Quinton is a junior in high school, and usually, we talk about mathematics. Although right before he moved from Colorado Springs to Sacramento, I gave him a copy of my latest book Everyone on the Wall.

Out of the clear blue a few days ago, Quinton told me he had read the book and shared some of the things he had gotten out of it, including the message in Part 4: Everyone a Disciple-maker. He was fascinated by the idea of one person helping another helping another. “This would start a chain reaction.” Yes!

And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. (2 Timothy 2.2, NIV)

But then we started talking about leadership, and I recommended he read the Gospel of Mark and look for examples or principles involving Jesus’ leadership. He made this profound observation (which he did NOT get from my book!):

Jesus wasn’t looking for change in the moment; he was setting the foundation for change to come long-term. – Quinton Williams, high school junior, March 2021.

I couldn’t agree more. The Pharisees, about whom I wrote yesterday, were more interested in specific behaviors in the moment. They were interested in the externals. I’ll write more about that tomorrow.

Jesus, on the other hand, was about exactly what Quinton had observed: setting the foundation for long-term change. The word is…transformation.

Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?” “Twelve,” they replied. “And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?” They answered, “Seven.” He said to them, “Do you still not understand?” (Mark 8.17 – 21, NIV)

And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4.19, ESV)