In the midst of the roar, as a spiritual leader, I know it's part of my duty to lead my ministry and help others gain fruitful, kingdom-building, kingdom-preserving perspective on such situations. Over the weekend, I chose to let my words be few and my heart be wide open to God's leadership--hoping to find a word or perspective that rose above the usual clamor.
Although admittedly cliche (I wore a bracelet with these letters on my wrist for 6 years), I was led to one simple question: if Jesus were a pastor of a church today, how would HE respond (W.hat W.ould J.esus D.o)? Although I'm not pretending to know exactly what words Jesus would use, a firm, unbiased grasp on how Jesus responded to similar controversies during His walk on earth gives us a helpful insight into what His response would look like. This is what has been revealed to me:
If Jesus Were a Pastor of a Church Today, How Would He Respond?
Jesus would oppose and speak against the legalists and closed-minded of us in our communities who have fallen so deeply into fear and so deeply in love with maintaining the law of God that we have begun worshiping the law instead of God. He would warn us about how far off from the kingdom we are and implore us to seek Him and the law of the Spirit. Matthew 23:27-28 (whitewashed tombs), Matthew 15:12-14 (blind leading the blind), Matthew 23:23-24 (law opposed to mercy).
Jesus would also deeply caution those of us who believe we don't need to change, who want to hear and tell each other we are fine just the way we are. He'd warn us that many of the things we are doing truly are threatening our relationships with God and destroying the very fabric of what holds us together as individuals, families, and communities of worthy character--even when we don't see the deeper, long-lasting affects of seemingly harmless choices. John 4:7-31 (woman at the well), John 8:1-11 (woman in adultery), Matthew 19:16-24 (rich man wanting salvation), John 5:1-15 (lame man).
Jesus wouldn't choose a side and build up everyone on it while tearing down the other side until those on it changed. Instead, Jesus would call out every one of us, inside and outside of the church, challenging all of us not to think we have it all figured out, are completely on the right path, or are the only persons without sin or blemishes (Matthew 7:13-14, Matthew 7:3-6). He'd call each of us to a higher way of being and believing that rises far above our side, cause, agenda, convictions, or political parties to which we claim our allegiance and identity (Mark 3:1-6).
Jesus would be a huge proponent and leader of extravagant and unconditional love of others, but he wouldn't hand out band-aid love just to cover up our pain and discomfort, just to help us feel better about ourselves. Nor would he encourage us to hand out band-aid love to sooth our own discomforts or fears. He'd also remind us that loving others is second to first loving God (Mark 12:28-34), and he'd challenge us to learn exactly what that means. He'd welcome everyone into his presence and ministry, yet hold each of us accountable to our lives, reminding us that not one part of God's word has grown irrelevant and that no one's off the hook (Mark 13:31, Matthew 5:17-20), challenging us to look deeper when the words do seem outdated. He'd profess daily that the true direction for our lives lies hidden not in the leadership of any pastor (Mark 10:17-18), talk-show host (Matthew 24:10-11, 24), athlete, self-help guru, or politician, but instead in the way of the Spirit that leads and gives words to chaos (John 3:5-12, Luke 12:11-12).
Jesus wouldn't step out and create a coup of the super-righteous, He wouldn't start building an army or a separate nation for purists, he wouldn't encourage His followers to disengage or shun non-followers or dissenters, nor would he call on heaven to destroy those who opposed his conviction that we must honor God before our own personal desires (Luke 9:51-56, Matthew 26:50-54, Matthew 13:24-30). Instead, He'd reach out to those far different or far away. He'd challenge his congregation to reach out to their enemies (Matthew 5:43-48). He'd pour his entire life and encourage those around him to pour their entire lives into to leading people to rise above their fears and stubbornness and reach toward God as their highest pursuit. He'd give everything for this pursuit, even to the point of his own persecution and death. And to those of us whose hearts remain hardened, Jesus would weep for us, wishing it could be different, wishing we could seek in Him the peace we're desperately trying to find, and mourning the fate many of us have chosen for ourselves (Matthew 23:37, Luke 19:39-44).
Sometimes it hurts and is scary following Jesus. Yet, Jesus is the one upon whom I choose to lay my life and lead my ministry.
More to come!
Jason <><
Jesus wouldn't step out and create a coup of the super-righteous, He wouldn't start building an army or a separate nation for purists, he wouldn't encourage His followers to disengage or shun non-followers or dissenters, nor would he call on heaven to destroy those who opposed his conviction that we must honor God before our own personal desires (Luke 9:51-56, Matthew 26:50-54, Matthew 13:24-30). Instead, He'd reach out to those far different or far away. He'd challenge his congregation to reach out to their enemies (Matthew 5:43-48). He'd pour his entire life and encourage those around him to pour their entire lives into to leading people to rise above their fears and stubbornness and reach toward God as their highest pursuit. He'd give everything for this pursuit, even to the point of his own persecution and death. And to those of us whose hearts remain hardened, Jesus would weep for us, wishing it could be different, wishing we could seek in Him the peace we're desperately trying to find, and mourning the fate many of us have chosen for ourselves (Matthew 23:37, Luke 19:39-44).
Sometimes it hurts and is scary following Jesus. Yet, Jesus is the one upon whom I choose to lay my life and lead my ministry.
More to come!
Jason <><
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