Follow Me
August 29, 2010
by Alan Cornett
The first words Jesus speaks directly in the Gospel of Mark is “follow me” as He promises to make Simon and Andrew fishers of men (Mark 1:17). In the last words Jesus speaks in John’s Gospel, Jesus again says to Simon Peter, the man who had denied the Lord three times: “You follow me!” (John 21:22) From the beginning of His earthly ministry until the end, Jesus sought followers.
The very idea of “disciple” is one who follows a teacher. Jesus would give this simple command to follow Him to men as diverse as Matthew Levi (Matthew 9:9) and Philip (John 1:43). Not all would respond to His call. One who was called with the words “follow me” begged leave to bury his father, but his delay proved he was not ready (Luke 9:59-60). To the Rich Young Ruler Jesus said “sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”(Matthew 19:21) The young man went away sorrowful.
Jesus did not hide the fact that to follow Him meant difficulty. If you want to “follow Me,” Jesus said it would require one to “deny himself and take up his cross.” (Matthew 16:24) Those who heard Jesus understood all too well what taking up a cross entailed. Taking up a cross meant total commitment. There was no turning back. But Jesus made it clear that the one who refuses to take up that cross “is not worthy of Me.” (Matthew 10:38)
What was the difference between those who responded to the call and those who did not? Jesus said that those who would not hear were not His sheep: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27) The ones who follow are the ones who recognize Jesus as the Master, as the Teacher, and know they need His guidance. That requires denial of self, whether it is adherence to material possessions like the Rich Young Ruler or placing a priority on earthly relationships as the man who desired to bury his father.
Those who choose to follow Jesus have made that one way commitment. Where He goes we desire to go. Imagine Peter’s surprise, then, when on the night of His betrayal he asked the Lord where He was going. “Jesus answered him, ‘Where I am going you cannot follow me now.’” (John 13:36) That seems so deflating! Having made the commitment to follow, we want the benefits of that journey. But the benefits do not come immediately, but they will come: “You will follow afterward,” Jesus reassured.
Following Jesus means making a one way commitment; it results in eventually arriving where He has gone—heaven itself. But in the meantime we follow Him in His teachings, in His character, in His trials. To do so demonstrates we are a disciple, a follower, one of His sheep.
Not Knowing That You’re Not Known
July 28, 2010
by Alan Cornett
Most of us remember the catchy theme to the old sitcom, “Where Everybody Knows Your Name.” It appeals to a basic desire of man. Aristotle tells us that “man is a social animal.” God said “It is not good that the man should be alone,” and made for him a companion. (Genesis 2:18) We like to be known, we like to remembered. That desire is fulfilled in part through our fellowship with Christians in local churches. But as wonderful as that blessing is, God offers us much more.
One of the great promises that Jesus gives us is that there is a place for us, a place where we are known. “In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” (John 14:2-3) We ought to take comfort in that, be encouraged to go there. Sometimes we feel like we may not fit in or belong anywhere, that no one really cares who we are or remembers us. Jesus assures us for those that are His that will never be the case. It if it were not so He would have told us.
But the place that He has prepared is specifically for those who are His, who have identified themselves with Him. Those who are His have no need for concern; we have assurance of His reward, of our place, to be remembered by name. Yet Jesus also warns us not to be self-deluded into thinking we have a place when we may not: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’” (Matthew 7:21-23)
What we find is a tragic scene, one that will be played out over and over again at judgment. Some knew who Jesus was, even called Him Lord. Beyond that they even “worked” in His name. Religious things were done, perhaps with the very best of intentions. But the things done were done in the name of Jesus only in the mind of the doer. Truly to do something in the name of Jesus is to do it according to the revealed will of the Father in heaven. Even if what we do is “good” by our standards, or human standards, or even religious standards, it may simply be an act of lawlessness as far as God is concerned. Proverbs warns, “There is a way that seems right to a man,/but its end is the way to death.” (Proverbs 14:12) The one on judgment thought he was known for all his good works, but finds out—too late—that the Master never knew him at all.
But while there is great danger when we follow our own path, confusing it for the Way of Christ, there is great hope for each of us who is willing to stand firm in the will of God. “The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.” (Revelation 3:5)
Does Jesus know your name?
Janitors Wanted
May 16, 2010
by Ron Ramage
Several years ago I heard a story about a bible college professor who had an exam at the end of the semester which would count as one fifth of the students overall grade. When everyone was seated, and the professor had told them to turn over their test and start, the students were very surprised to find only one question on the entire exam. The question was simple. What is the name of the school janitor?
The concept was simple as well. How many of these students had taken the time to stop and thank the person who picked up their trash and cleaned up after them day after day, week after week? How many had cared enough to even ask their name?
Most of us don’t aspire to be a janitor. It often involves working alone, cleaning up after others and getting things setup and ready for the next work day when it starts all over again. There is little in the way of job recognition and always someone higher up who supervises what you do. Not very glamorous is it? But, doesn’t that sound just like the type of servant God wants us all to be?
In 1 Peter 5:5-6 it says to “gird yourselves with humility, to serve one another: for God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.”
According to Webster, the definition of humble is: “not proud or haughty; not arrogant or assertive; reflecting, expressing, or offered in a spirit of deference or submission”. The question for all of us is how do we become more humble?
Most of us would like to think that we are willing to subject ourselves to God, the elders, our spouses, or our Christian family. But do we really? How exactly do we exhibit that spirit of submission to others? Do others see us as someone who is humble, or someone who is arrogant and assertive?
We live in a society where self is very important. The world appreciates those who assert themselves, take charge, and set themselves apart from everyone else. If you don’t get the first word in, then you may never get a chance to voice your opinion. Don’t let people tell you what to do either, for that is a sign of weakness. And, do not stop and pick up someone else’s trash, for that is beneath someone of your stature. Unfortunately, that kind of thinking is the opposite of being humble and more importantly, in direct opposition to what God wants us to be.
In reality a lot of us probably humble ourselves at times and under certain situations, especially if we recognize that someone else may have more experience or knowledge. Where we often fall short is when you think you are the one with all the answers or the one who thinks they have a better way of doing things, or the one who thinks there are others lower than you who will take care of it. When that happens we have a choice: Do we humble ourselves, or do we let that inner self take over?
Of course the ultimate example was shown by Christ. Christ was already in heaven, the son of God, and yet allowed himself to be sent to earth where he grew to be a man who learned a trade as a common carpenter. During his ministry he was willing to teach anyone who would listen and he taught using plain and common language and examples. He was willingly to go and visit those who were diseased, lame and possessed and have compassion on them. He was willing to wash feet and dine with sinners. When it was time, he allowed himself to die such a cruel death while knowing not only that he was innocent, but that he could have stopped it. To top it all off, he all of this because his father asked him to. Talk about being humble!
If we would just look we can all find more ways to humble ourselves and to serve one another. More importantly, if we look we may find that what God wants… is more janitors.
Clearing Out the Dead Wood
April 25, 2010
by Alan Cornett
One of the great things about our yard is that it has a lot of trees. I’ve discovered one of the frustrating things about our yard is that it has a lot of trees.
A tree crew descended on my yard this week to remove two of those trees. One passed from this life last summer, an Ash the victim disease. It looked strong and hearty, a good twenty feet tall. Another tree in the yard still looked very much alive, but with only a tenuous connection to the ground. Root rot had caused it to lean over toward my shed, which was saved only by the electrical box (!) that held the it up. Both trees have a future as firewood.
Some people have spiritual lives like those trees. A lifetime of spiritual focus has given them genuine growth. They seem to be towering figures of Christianity. But then something happens, a temptation, a life change. Last spring the Ash tree seemed fine at first. New leaves started, but then froze in immaturity. What the tree had done dozens of times before it was now unable to accomplish. It couldn’t push through, it gave up and it died. Had you looked at it the prior year, or five years ago, no one would have thought such a thing would happen. How many Christians can you recall thinking the same about? How many Christians have disappeared from God’s service—no longer living for the Lord—who you saw as living, thriving, active only last year, two years ago, five years ago? What happened? Can it happen to you?
The second tree seemed to be facing spring quite brightly. The leaves were coming out strong and green. They seemed unaware of any problem; however, the only reason there was any connection to the ground was because the tree was partially propped up by that electrical box. Not only that, but the tree had become a real danger. My storage shed (and pocketbook!) would suffer serious damage when that tree fell. We let the connection to our source of sustenance and strength decay and rot often without noticing it. We go on, oblivious to our impending fall, unaware that others have propped us up, unaware that we may do serious damage to others because of our lack of spiritual health. To glimpse at us everything seems fine, but in reality we are about to land with a thud.
Of the barren fig tree in the parable, Jesus said that the tree needed to be fertilized so that it might begin to yield fruit or else “Why should it use up the ground?” (Luke 13:6-9) We have to be aware of the health of our connection to our source of sustenance, Jesus. (John 15:5) We cannot rest on past spiritual accomplishments. We must stand for Christ until the end (Revelation 2:10). If we do not keep our spiritual focus and seek constant nourishment from the Lord we may be surprised one day to find ourselves no longer living for him.
And like the end the trees in my yard, our eternal future will not be what we desire. “Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire (Luke 3:9).”
Picking Up Yardage
February 7, 2010
by Alan Cornett
More avocadoes are used over the weekend of the Super Bowl than any other time of the year. It’s a sensible choice—what better thing to have than guacamole as you watch your favorite team try to win the biggest game of the year?
We all love to see the big plays: kickoffs or interceptions returned for a touchdown, perhaps. But while they are exciting, that’s not the norm. Football games can be slow. In fact, a recent study showed that the average NFL football game had all of 11 minutes of action—for the whole game! It’s even worse when compared to the forty five minutes of advertising that were aired during last year’s Super Bowl.
Those big plays only happen as a result of practice, and very often as a result of an even plodding approach to moving the football. When you see a spectacular pass downfield or a runner cut through a massive hole in the defense you think, “Now why don’t they do that every time?” But there are likely plays upon plays that didn’t go anywhere that set up the situation to make the big play possible.
Sometimes our spiritual progress can be a bit like that. We all long for the big play—a sudden, new insight into a passage, making a contact to share the gospel, a sense of contentment in our lives. But we’ll never have that new insight without being a regular student of the Bible. The Bereans searched the Scripture daily (Acts 17:11) More people will show no interest in the gospel than will be eager to hear, but with persistence someone will listen. Paul was mocked at Athens, but some were eager to hear (Acts 17:32). We all deal with a lot of stress, sometimes leading to outright worry. While we all desire contentment and the “peace that passes understanding” it’s not automatic. It can be ours, but we have to be consistent in our prayer and trust. Paul even said he “learned” to be content (Philippians 4:4-13). We can learn, too, but not without running a lot of plays that don’t seem to go anywhere.
Progress is always slower than we like. We all want what we want…yesterday. But the mature football team knows that you can’t hurry, you can’t rush, you can’t achieve in moments what takes a series of plays, a quarter or an entire game to accomplish. Sometimes a team can get quickly behind, things go wrong and the inclination is to panic. But the wise team sticks to the game plan, runs the next play, even if that particular play picks up little yardage.
Satan may be trying to cause panic in your life to throw you off your spiritual game. There’s no doubt he’s trying to stop you from gaining spiritual yardage. But if you trust in God you’ll know that what you need to do is run the next play. God has drawn up the perfect way to advance to Him. Trusting in His guidance will guarantee your spiritual success.
Let It Snow
January 9, 2010
by Alan Cornett
If you’re like me, you’re probably tired of shoveling snow. We had three consecutive days of snow last month. Returning from a trip there was snow again. Two days later there was more snow. Shoveling and more shoveling.
Like all of nature, snow is under the control of God. Elihu well said of God, “For to the snow he says, ‘Fall on the earth.” (Job 37:6) The Lord Himself spoke “of the storehouses of the snow” (Job 38:22). Snow fulfills His word and is commanded to praise the Lord (Psalm 148:7-8).
Despite the shoveling, there is great beauty in snow, the way it blankets the earth in white, everything beneath it hidden from site. And each subsequent snow shower hides what went on before. The car tracks, the footsteps (and driveways!) are hidden as if no one had been there before.
Scripture aptly uses snow as a symbol of purity. Jeremiah laments the loss of the purity of the princes of Judah: “Her princes were purer than snow, whiter than milk,” but “Now their face is blacker than soot; they are not recognized in the streets.” (Lamentations 4:7-8). In turning from faithfulness to God they had soiled themselves and the glory of the position God had given them. Job, recognizing that purity is unobtainable on his own, says, even “If I wash myself with snow and cleanse my hands with lye.” (Job 9:30)
It is no surprise, then, that Scripture points to snow as a powerful illustration of our forgiveness before God. David, faced with the reality of his sin with Bathsheba, cries for mercy before God. He writes, “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow….Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.” (Psalm 51:7,9) God calls us to recognize His wonderful mercy and forgiveness when He says, “Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow….”(Isaiah 1:18a).
No matter how ugly the landscape, snow will turn it smooth, white, beautiful. God’s mercy and forgiveness has the same powerful impact on our own spiritual landscape. Ugly and marred by sin though we are, God can cover over our guilt as thought it had never been there. But, like David, we must recognize our sin and seek mercy from Him. As the Lord continues in Isaiah, our sins can be white as snow “if you are willing and obedient” (Isaiah 1:19). And in receiving that spiritual snow we ourselves can be transformed into a reflection of our Savior who has garments and hair “white as snow” (Daniel 7:9, Revelation 1:14).
Let it snow!