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)

Yesterday I wrote about a friend welcoming some free advice. Today I’m pleased to offer another story about a positive response to what could have been a negative situation.

Tom, a friend of mine from out-of-state, had a “chance” encounter at a rural Colorado hotel with another friend who is on part-time staff with a Christian organization. I’ll call him Joe. Tom described Joe as “interesting because parts of his personality were pleasant; at other times he appeared to be rude and demanding.” I pressed for details and passed them on to Joe’s team leader, who said he would talk with Joe about the importance of a Jesus-follower being “on-duty 24/7 even when you’re in the mountains with your grandsons.”

A little while later I received a call from Joe thanking me for passing along Tom’s observations and to everyone for “helping him stay between the ditches.”

The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise. Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence. The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor. Proverbs 15.31 – 33, ESV)

It’s refreshing when someone responds biblically!

My long-time friend Bob inquired into my health the other day, and I asked how he was doing. He responded with a long story of how he and his wife are caring for her sister from out of state who was involved in an auto accident. The details aren’t relevant here, but Bob said they were hoping they could get the sister re-certified to drive so she could return home.

Never afraid to offer unwanted advice, I wrote something like, “It’s none of my business, but is it realistic to try to get someone driving who’s already had a number of recent accidents?” I suggested that between her friends and the number of delivery options available these days, maybe she wouldn’t have to be able to drive to move back home.

Most people would have said something like, “You’re right. It is none of your business.” But not Bob. Here’s what he wrote:

You make some good points about delivery services.  We’ll have to look into that-plus Uber and Lyft for taking her to the doctors, etc.  Your ideas are always welcome-you’re a brother as well as a friend so you need not ever be concerned about something being your business or not.  That’s not an issue to me–you can always feel free to speak into my life with your thoughts, ideas, concerns, etc!

Bob is a wise man; I’m glad to be his brother and friend.

A wise man listens to advice. (Proverbs 12.15, ESV)

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. (Proverbs 27.17, NIV)

The more wise counsel you follow, the better your chances. (Proverbs 11.14, MSG)

It’s amazing how one’s perspective changes over time.

My friend Ray, 70 years old, life-long athlete, fellow disciple-maker, and I were discussing my knee surgery (from which I’m continuing to recover). Ray’s doctor said his knees appear OK for now with this caveat: “If it hurts when you do something, don’t do that anymore!” So Ray has backed off running in favor of walking and cycling.

The doc’s advice made perfect sense, and I practice it myself. Except I immediately thought of my conversation with a doctor back in 1981. I had hurt my knee playing soccer in 1979, and two years later, it wasn’t back to full strength. I thought it needed some surgical intervention. One orthopedist told me essentially the same thing Ray’s doctor told him: “Look, Bob. If it hurts to play basketball, don’t play basketball anymore.” My immediate response was, “Doc, I’m 34 years old, I have three sons, there’s no reason for me to stop playing basketball or anything else I want to do. I want my knee fixed!”

What’s the difference? I’m nearly 40 years older, that’s what! We all used to think, “That won’t happen to me!” But it has. As Ray said, the Bible speaks to that in a few places:

Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, “I find no pleasure in them”— …when the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men stoop, when the grinders cease because they are few, and those looking through the windows grow dim; …when the almond tree blossoms and the grasshopper drags itself along… (Ecclesiastes 12.1 – 5, NIV)

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. (2 Corinthians 4.16, NIV)