“What if our strategy to win the world was to “play” people into the kingdom of God? What if we invited people over to our home and, instead of telling them about our joy, lived it by playing with them? What if we could hear laughter in a church as well as “amens”? A friend of mine is a member of a church who toyed with making their motto “The Church That Knows How to Play.” I think he’s onto something.” (Mike Yaconelli, Dangerous Wonder; The Adventure of Childlike Faith, p78-79)

Jesus said “Do to others what you would want them to do to you.” (Luke 6:31)

The Golden Rule. Jesus was making this statement toward the end of his “Sermon on the Plain” (Luke 6:17 – 26) which includes not only blessings but woes as well.

We are really good at establishing rules for different aspects of our lives. Our work places have rules. Driving on the road has rules. Even entering a store right now in Pandemic America has a new set of rules. I have been thinking of all of the rules that we have, and it made me consider the Golden Rule — but from a different perspective. Instead of saying “Do to others what you would want them to do to you”, we now are confronted with “Don’t do to others what you do not like done to yourself.” This forces us to imagine what causes us the most pain, or fear, and then form our behavior toward others accordingly.

No one likes to dwell continually on the experiences of life that cause us the most pain, or fear, but knowing what we are afraid of, or what brings to mind the most pain can help us avoid doing the same to others. The command to “do unto others” is not just a “happy” way to try to be nice to people, it is a challenge to us to understand what brings the most fear and pain, and then avoid doing this to those we encounter every day.  

It is always good to be nice to others, but it is a higher calling to know our own pain, and then never inflict that pain on another. It is a higher calling, but with the help of the Holy Spirit, it will help us live into the higher calling of faith.

Pastor Dave

“Jesus went about among the villages teaching. And he called to him the twelve, and began to send them out two by two…” Mark 6:6-7

“And as he sat at dinner in Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were also sitting with Jesus and his disciples—for there were many who followed him. When the scribes of the Pharisees saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, they said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” When Jesus heard this, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.” Mark 2:15-17

Discipleship in the early church was a mix of learning and doing — once a disciple was sent out to teach what their mentor had taught them they were then called Apostles.

Jesus not only asked his disciples to learn from him, but he wanted them to think, and to act, and to step out of their comfort zones. Being a disciple has not changed in 2000+ years. Jesus still asks you and me to follow in his ways of discipleship.

We read the account of the calling of Levi, or Matthew the Tax Collector and we marvel at his willingness to leave everything and to follow Jesus. As such, it is not enough just to learn from the teacher — we are to “follow” the teacher, Jesus. When we become Apostles, or the “sent out ones” (for that is what an Apostle is) then Jesus expects us to put his teaching into ministry – into doing. You see, it is not enough to love, we need to do loving acts. And it is not enough to pray for help, we need to “be” the prayer, to be the hands and feet of Christ in helping the needy.

Here is what Martin Luther has to say on the matter in his writing “Concerning Christian Liberty”:

“I first lay down these two propositions, concerning spiritual liberty and servitude: A Christian man is the most free lord of all, and subject to none; a Christian man is the most dutiful servant of all, and subject to every one.

You see, as Christians, there is a higher calling when we become a “follower” — higher than just our knowledge, or our length of membership in a church. It is our responsibility and our accountability to our Christian brothers and sisters and to all others in being disciples for Jesus. As Paul says, “Knowledge puffs us up, but love builds up.” (1 Cor. 8:1)

We are called to live within the limitations imposed by love — and that love compels us to “go and do”. Every day you and I have the opportunity to “share in the way of Jesus Christ” in our discipleship. It is our Christian responsibility. What will you do today to “share in the way” of being a disciple?

Pastor Dave