Purveyors of Light

"All right, stone her. But let those who have never sinned throw the first stones!" Jesus could not have rankled religous leaders any worse than with His perceived laissez-faire approach to people who sinned. Try to place yourself among the onlookers as the Rabbi took time from His busy schedule to defend a woman caught in adultery - then releasing her without a word of condemnation.

On another occasion a woman interrupted Jesus' teaching, poured perfume on His feet and then wiped them with her hair - an act bursting with all kinds of inappropriate connotations. From a purely religious perspective, how could any God-fearing person not question such behavior? The scriptures are replete with examples of Jesus accepting sinners: tax collectors, prostitutes, Samaritans, and the like. The dregs of society were comfortable with Jesus, and most confounding, Jesus was comfortable with them - he did not attempt to curse their darkness

On occasion, I'll try to navigate through my dark garage after I close the overhead door. I know where the cars are and I know where each item in the garage is located, yet I invariably bang into something or trip as I make my way across the room. I could become angry and curse or destroy the items that cause me injury, still the darkness would leave me vulnerable to nasty bumps and pain.

One thing about darkness, whether spiritual or natural, it's not a condition that can be corrected by darkness removal. The only antidote for darkness is light.

Jesus' ministry reveals that the remedy for mankind's darkness is not found in cursing, managing, or extracting it. The remedy for darkness is spiritual light. Jesus, as the light creator, knew its incredible effects upon both the natural and spiritual realms of existence. People stumbling, tripping, and injuring themselves are best served by light.

Consequently, Jesus spent time with the woman at the well, stooped to help the adulteress, and ate with the crooked tax-collectors. His focus was not in removing obstacles that tripped them, but in shining light into their lives so they could clearly see the path for their journey.

Our message to the world should echo the words of Jesus as he released the woman from her stoning: "Neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more." (John 8:1-12)

It's All About Me!

"Hey John, you know that preacher we met at lunch yesterday, he's starting to minister just like you. In fact, he's got his whole ministry team baptizing people. His meetings are starting to draw some pretty big crowds, perhaps we should rethink how we do ministry. This whole traveling on foot thing we're doing -- it's yesterday, man -- we need to move faster and speak to more people. How about we start raising money to travel by horseback - imagine how many more towns we could visit, how many more people could hear you speak."

.

At one time or another all Christian leaders wrestle with the issue brought by John the Baptist's staff -- self-preservation. Someone will emerge from obscurity and begin to move the spotlight. He may not preach better, but he is a new voice and it is distracting folk - the attention is no longer on us. When this happened to John, he made an unlikely decision about his ministry future.

.

John's life provides a portrait of a man with incredible spiritual depth and strength. He understood the role God had given him, and he understood God's plan was bigger than a single individual. In other words, it wasn't all about him. He may have been an unsophisticated and simple man, but he was a spiritual giant on the inside. He proved to be a powerful and captivating preacher; he single-handedly changed the spiritual landscape of his country, but he knew it was not all about him. He was comfortable in his skin and secure in who he was. He didn't have to push others down in order to look taller.

.

As we read about John's ministry transition, it's easy to take the ministry competition incident for granted. We assume it was natural for him, but my observation of human nature tells me otherwise. The Bible is filled with Godly men who didn't properly discern the seasons of God. Too often we hear of ministers whose image becomes tarnished in their later years. As men and women grow older, they sometimes wage an ego-driven war to maintain their power and prestige.

.

I recently read about the last years of famed Azusa Street pastor, William Seymour. In 1909 the revival at his Azusa Street church had waned, with only a hundred or so people attending the weekly meetings. While traveling to minister, Seymour invited Evangelist Charles Durham to fill the pulpit during his time away. As Durham ministered, many were healed and baptised in the Holy Spirit. Thousands of people began pouring back into the church each week. When Seymour heard about the meetings he rushed back to Los Angeles and promptly pad-locked the door so Durham couldn't preach. Durham moved his meetings to another site, and Seymour was left with a scant 20 people.

.

The remaining years of Seymour's life were reduced to welcoming tourists to his Apostolic Faith Mission, the site of the Azusa Street revival. His ministry entailed little more than telling visitors about how things used to be.

.

John the Baptist's words to his staff speak volumes to leaders today: "He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less." It seems we all have a choice to make in the area of self-preservation. We can fight to maintain our small niche of power and prestige, or we can discern the seasons of God, diligently lifting others to their place for tomorrow. In so doing, God can continue to bless us while accomplishing His plans for the coming season. (John 3:30)

Fig Tree Experiences

It seems almost incidental.... Jesus meets a young man and they have a brief discussion about a private moment in his life. When Philip introduced Nathanael, Jesus said, " I could see you under the fig tree before Philip found you."

The temptation is to hurriedly read past the exchange and discover the more compelling outcome with Jesus. But the brief conversation calls out to us. Though it is hidden, we sense a profound moment. The reader is drawn back to search for clues as to what may have happened to Nathanael under that fig tree. But we are not allowed to know - it's private. God provides no details and we are left to wonder about the disciple's personal life.

We don't know whether it was the "experience" under the tree or the "revelation" given by Jesus that impacted Nathanial so profoundly. But, we can easily detect a major shift in how Nathanial perceived this new Rabbi. What happened under the tree? Was it a prayer Nathanial had prayed? Was it a passionate request asked of God? Was it an "under the fig tree" business decision?. Perhaps it was moment of rededication, maybe a life dominating sin finally overcome.

During His lifetime, Jesus called and enabled men and women for leadership roles - he continues raising up leaders today. Whether those called attain or experience all that God has prepared may very well hinge on those "fig tree" experiences -- monumental private moments about which no one else will ever know.

In my life, the most decisive moments have been ones few people know about. The irony carries the lesson well: what occurs in privacy under the fig tree, may very well define the call and scope of our ministry in public. Fig tree experiences determine whether leaders will achieve their destiny and lead, or join the rank and file - content to follow? (John 1:45-51)

Who's Drinking the Wine

In his gospel, John clearly states the purpose for the biography; he wrote it so readers would believe that Jesus is the Messiah, and in believing, gain new life. To fully appreciate John's story we should pay careful attention to the message Christ's actions communicate. Aside from proof that Jesus could do miracles, how do the "signs" recorded by John instruct us about His mission and spiritual kingdom?

The Gospel of John tells of the day when Mary, Jesus, and some of the disciples attended a marriage ceremony in Galilee. The festivities were well into the week-long event when things suddenly came to a screeching halt. To the host's surprise, all the wine had been consumed, and some of the folks were unhappy and ready to pack things up and leave.

Those of you with any level of experience in long celebrations understand the importance of wine at a party. We may cringe a bit to think that Jesus was part of such an environment, but we need to remember that Jesus lived before the modern American fundamentalist movement. Jesus seems to be a comfortable participant in his culture, knowing that his kingdom was not of meat and drink.

You know the story... Jesus saved the day for the bride and groom. Through his miraculous intervention, about 150 gallons of water were turned into wine, ensuring that the celebration would continue with all the frivolity the host intended.

But this story isn't simply about Jesus turning water into wine. While it may show concern and commitment to the people of His community, John included this miracle for its prophetic and figurative implications. The life and ministry of Jesus was about spiritual wine... about serving humanity a libation far more intoxicating than fermented grapes.

Through this miracle we see the true mission of Jesus portrayed. As He instructs the servants to fill stone pots with water, we can appreciate an underlying message. It is a metaphor that points to the coming birth of His church; Ordinary vessels filled with supernatural drink. The miracle directs our attention to our divine mission -- His people serving those downcast and sad, those poor in spirit. The new wine is much better than the old, for all who drink of it will gain a new kind of life.

The wine of His making is not for spiritual self-indulgence, nor to fuel spiritual egos; it is not for displaying in elaborate man-made wine racks. His new wine is to be ladled into our communities. It is to be refreshment and remedy for all those folks looking for that good stiff drink; it is to help and heal the needy -- enlarging the kingdom of God on earth.

Well, if that's the case, let's plan a big party. Let the celebration begin! (John 2:1-12)