:: in.a.mirror.dimly ::

I have a theory that while many people claim they like Jesus, this “liking” is typically only as deep as becoming a fan on Facebook. And when it comes down to it, whether or not I like Jesus is irrelevant.

Jesus isn’t interested in fans or in acquiring admirers.

After his Resurrection, Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love me more than these [his fellow disciples]?” Jesus wanted to know if Peter was fully committed to him with all of his heart. Even when Peter voiced his love with a weaker term of affection, Jesus made it clear that loving God with all of your heart, mind, soul, and strength was not a light matter.

In one of the parables about the wedding banquet, the King sends his servant out to invite the guests to the banquet, but they refuse the invitation because they are busy.

We receive a similar warning from the parable about the seeds and the soil. Some seeds are crowded and choked by worries and the cares of this world.

When warning his disciples about the coming destruction of Jerusalem in Luke 21, Jesus tells them, “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life.”

There are a lot of reasons why Jesus’ band of followers dwindled from huge crowds listening to his sermons, to an enthusiastic crowd waving palm branches, to a few disciples standing by the cross and then praying in the upper room.

In large and small ways, distractions prevented many from following Jesus. Some never took interest in Jesus in the first place due to distractions, while others followed Jesus but couldn’t commit themselves to him when the cost became too steep.

Whether or not any of them liked Jesus didn’t really matter. What mattered was whether they were distracted by the cares of this world or committed to the priorities of God. Those who chose to ignore Jesus and those who followed him both fell into similar traps in different ways when distractions prevented them from loving Jesus.

There are many sins and problems we face, but they typically start or become worse when distractions keep us from Jesus. Anyone can check a box on survey saying, “I like Jesus,” but returning the sacrificial, all or nothing love of Jesus changes how we work, pray, rest, act, and speak.

In Acts 1:4 Jesus asked his disciples to not leave Jerusalem until they received the Spirit. John prophesied that Jesus would baptize them in the Holy Spirit, and before they set out to do the work of the Kingdom, they would need this empowering baptism.

Though they were looking for the restoration of Israel as a Kingdom, Jesus pointed them back to the coming Holy Spirit. The Spirit would empower them to be witnesses whether close to home or far abroad.

Don’t Leave…

The words of Jesus stop me in my tracks. How many times have I tried to do something for God and His Kingdom without first waiting for the empowering of the Holy Spirit? I think I’ve tried to do a lot of well-intentioned ministry out of my own strength and wisdom.

In our American culture that focuses on planning and doing, it’s jarring to read that Jesus told his disciples to sit and wait. Waiting can be one of the most important parts of our ministry.

It’s like that episode of Seinfeld about a show that is about nothing—the work of ministry begins by doing nothing. We are seeking the filling, empowering, and guidance of the Spirit before we step forward.

That doesn’t mean we do nothing all of the time; waiting can be exploratory. Waiting may look fairly proactive in some circumstances since we’ll need the Spirit to confirm our tentative first steps.

However, can you imagine what the early church would have looked like if the disciples ran out of Jerusalem without the Holy Spirit? They would have created some chaotic, ill-conceived mishmash of the teachings of Jesus and of the expectations of Israel’s restoration as a Kingdom. No one would have thought about preaching the Gospel to the Gentiles for sure.

Waiting on God’s Spirit

What does waiting for the Spirit’s power look like? Do you need to sit in the presence of the Lord to wait for his leading? Do you need to talk with some friends about where you sense he’s leading? Do you need to try something new, while prayerfully asking God for guidance?

We know that waiting for the Spirit’s empowering is important. We oftentimes don’t know what it looks like. However, as we step forward in ministry, we should aim to make sure there’s no mistake that it has been God’s power at work in and among us.

Continuing my meditations on the book of Romans…

After providing instructions on Christian conduct and asking the Romans to commit to build one another up, Paul continues to instruct the Romans on living in Christian love and unity. Though love and unity are generated by the power of the Holy Spirit through Christ, Paul makes it clear that the Romans have an important role to play.

Christ bore the insults directed to God, much like David in the Psalm quoted, and laid down his life for others. The Romans who have clear consciences and can live by faith without extra limitations in unimportant matters should seek the best for their neighbors and build them up. the goal isn’t winning the argument but remaining confident and selfless, encouraging one another.

There is a balance between God’s work and the Romans’ calling to accept one another. Only God can help them to endure and to remain united with one mind and voice. And much like Christ’s obedience to do God’s work, they are to be servants among one another. In the unifying of Jew and Gentile there are lessons to learn about blessing others above themselves.

After so many strong words in this letter, Paul shares his hope in God and his hope that the goodness of God at work in the Romans will help them live holy lives together. Paul only speaks of Christ’s work and his calling in Christ, aiming to fulfill his duty to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles. It is by God’s power that he has spread this message far and wide.

However, in fulfilling his spiritual ministry with words, signs, and wonders, Paul also desires to carry material blessings from Gentiles to the Jews in Jerusalem, even if it puts him in harm’s way. he asks them to join in prayer for his safety and for an audience that will gladly receive the Gentile churches’ gifts.