Simply Follow

Tim Hansel wrote in “Eating Problems for Breakfast” an interesting summation letter to Jesus if He was to launch a church as an enterprise today. Here is his take, in it’s entirety…

To: Jesus, Son of Joseph
Woodcrafter’s Carpenter Shop
Nazareth 25922

From: Jordan Management Consultants

Dear Sir:

Thank you for submitting the resumes of the twelve men you have picked for managerial positions in your new organization. All of them have now taken our battery of tests; and we have not only run the results through our computer, but also arranged personal interviews for each of them with our psychologist and vocational aptitude consultant.

The profiles of all tests are included, and you will want to study each of them carefully.

As part of our service, we make some general comments for your guidance, much as an auditor will include some general statements. This is given as a result of staff consultation, and comes without any additional fee.

It is the staff opinion that most of your nominees are lacking in background, education and vocational aptitude for the type of enterprise you are undertaking. They do not have the team concept. We would recommend that you continue your search for persons of experience in managerial ability and proven capability.

Simon Peter is emotionally unstable and given to fits of temper. Andrew has absolutely no qualities of leadership. The two brothers, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, place personal interest above company loyalty. Thomas demonstrates a questioning attitude that would tend to undermine morale. We feel that it is our duty to tell you that Matthew had been blacklisted by the Greater Jerusalem Better Business Bureau; James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus definitely have radical leanings, and they both registered a high score on the manic-depressive scale.

One of the candidates, however, shows great potential. He is a man of ability and resourcefulness, meets people well, has a keen business mind, and has contacts in high places. He is highly motivated, ambitious, and responsible. We recommend Judas Iscariot as your controller and right-hand man. All of the other profiles are self-explanatory.

We wish you every success in your new venture.

Sincerely,

Jordan Management Consultants

The world can’t see it. They either can’t or don’t want to. The scripture says that their eyes have been blinded by Satan “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” (2 Corinthians 4.4). Then we have John 12.37-43— “37 But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him: 38 That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? 39 Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, 40 He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. 41 These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him. 42 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: 43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.”

Here Jesus states that there are those who cannot see and cannot hear. But the text goes on to say that some did, but wouldn’t step out in faith to proclaim Him and follow. Why?… fear! They lacked the courage to stand up in the midst of the gang they hung around with. Secondly, they were afraid of the positional loss they had achieved in their life (being put out of the synagogue). In other words, they believed, but they weren’t radical enough. No wonder not many followed. No wonder many today also give lip-service, but don’t actually follow. 

Discipleship really isn’t that complicated. Every one that is a disciple of Christ is to follow Jesus. Pretty simple! Those disciples are then to reach those who aren’t. The rub is ‘how’. Simply put— your discipleship begins with you being Jesus’ disciple. Now that you are, the next phase is bringing others along with you. 

We begin by giving them the gospel, then proceed to teach them what Jesus has taught us. In between that, they need to be baptized into a church to belong and covenant with. This is all spelled out in what we call the “Great Commission”— found at the end of Matthew chapter 28. Fulfilling this Commission Jesus gave us, should be the desire of all churches. A great church is one which glorifies Jesus by obeying Jesus’ commission. We have a mission. We have a calling. We are to first: step up; then step out. It’s just not that complicated. 

By every indication of the New Testament, discipleship belongs to the local church. Here, with these 12 misfits, is where Jesus made a thing. It is an assembly of saints, blood bought, and baptized together in unity of the Spirit. That is the crowd He has chosen. Tim Hansel was correct in his summation letter— those 12 were not qualified. By the way— neither are you! Jesus though: comes along, touches a person, moves in their life, they become His follower, which is to say His obeyer, then we see some amazing things from ordinary people that actively pursue an extraordinary God. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of a church like that? Easy— the carnal, wicked, self-absorbed, prideful, closed ears and eyes, faker. Or, as John 12 just indicated, those simply too afraid to be radical. 

I’m encouraged every time I read the Gospels and see who Jesus chose. He shares with us a longing to include the ones who couldn’t possibly get the glory. He looks for those who do not fit the mold. Authentic disciples who simply want to follow Him. These are church folk who do not just simply ‘believe in’ Him, but also obey Him. These simple men living simple lives with simple friends… was a church. May God convict us for being more than we are. We are from the dirt and to the dirt we will return. Our souls are precious though… and the souls still waiting to hear the glorious Gospel. It is our job, our calling, our destiny. May the Lord speak these truths deep into your soul today. We must lay aside the complications and simply follow. This alone would be radical today. So be it. Let’s be radical!

God give us the courage to be a simple follower and cleave to your mission faithfully until the end.