If you missed the first two posts in this series, I encourage you to catch up on them at the links below:
Part 1
Part 2
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Fire service, no doubt, has changed. If you have read anything I have posted, you know that change is a common theme. For many years, firemen literally fought fires. That is what they did. At some point in history, people figured out that firefighters would take on additional roles if the citizens desired. So, a whole new fire service was born. Firefighters now respond to high angle rescue, vehicle rescue, structural and urban rescue, medical services, hazardous materials incidents, and much more. Yet, while the world expects so much from these men and women, some fire departments are being tragically left behind; consequently, towns are left without adequate care according to national standards.
We could argue and never reach conclusion as to why this occurred, but the bottom line is that it just did. Honestly, the rapid change, for some, must be like a sonic boom, where a jet blows by at or above the speed of sound, leaves a deafening thunder-like clap, then leaves the crowd staring into the blue sky wondering what just happened. Sometime after a sonic boom, the crowd begins to disperse and few stop to think about what just transpired. In fire service, that deafening sonic boom is the sound of the entire world changing. The lull after the sonic boom is simply the sound of being left in the dust. I am believing more and more that, for so many fire departments, responders are simply lacking the perspective of how radical the change in fire service has been.
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Temple worship had become despicable in God's eyes. Many wondered if God would ever speak to them again as he had to the prophets of old. An upper echelon of rich men seemed to rule the faith communities like a class of religious "good ol boys." There were faint cries of a so-called Messiah, but many argued whether that was even the case. Then some crazy guy wearing fur and living in the desert starts stirring people up about a coming Savior. The tide had just turned. Then, a Savior was born and leaders began to take notice of a young boy, born in a stable in Bethlehem. Others ignored the signs.
Approximately 30 years go by... then, a man takes a group of misfits and outcasts and turns them into a group of leaders. Sonic... BOOM. For the next few years, this man named Jesus gained so much traction that Jewish leaders everywhere were plotting and devising methods by which they might kill this man.
Two thousand years later, we attend a Sunday morning event which pays homage to this man and his life, death, and consequent resurrection. Something has GOT to be missing. What did I skip in this story? What was so radical in that 30+ year period in time where we now worship Jesus in a building on Sunday instead of listening to the teachers of the law speak at the temple?
I believe, sadly, the truth is that we have failed to grasp how radical the story of Jesus is. Furthermore, I think we have failed to respond with the same radical movement. Here are a few examples.
Pre-Jesus: Those who believe in God gathered to worship in temples.
Now: We gather on Sundays at an event we call Worship.
Pre-Jesus: Jewish leaders intermingled with politicians and popular political movements.
Now: Christian leaders often are quoted attempting to beat others politically rather than win them over for the Kingdom of God.
Pre-Jesus: Status Quo.
Now: Same ol', Same ol'
Pre-Jesus: Rabbis and other men are the scholars and are respected as having greater value in the story of God.
Now: What do we say to the laymen when just a handful of "talented" men stand on a stage and talk at the crowds?
Pre-Jesus: Sick and homeless are left outside the temple.
Now: I pass homeless men on my way to Church wearing clean clothes in my clean car... stopping off for coffee on my way.
Pre-Jesus: Intelligent people sit around and argue about doctrine.
Now: Hmmm...
I get almost sick sometime when I try to pinpoint which character in the Jesus story best fits me. More often than not, especially if it relates to doctrine and methodology, I look more like the ones that Jesus called the "brood of vipers." Ouch.
We all know there is far too much church-bashing that happens among people of my generation. I sincerely hope that this posting has a tone that is much removed from those who simply want church to look and feel their way. That's just simply ineffective and counterproductive. I simply desire to pose a question. What image of Jesus is most needed in this day and age? Is it the gentle sound of temple worshippers... or do we need a SONIC BOOM?
If you answered the latter, like me, then you might be wondering a few things:
Where is the Jesus that turned over tables in anger at the commercialization of God?
Where is the Jesus that screamed the seven woes in desperation at God's followers?
Where is the Jesus who broke all the rules if only to help one crippled woman? And a shriveled hand?
Where is the Jesus who knew that listening to the Words of the Father could cost him his life?
If you have been following with me the last few weeks, you know that I have been struggling with the Jesus I read about in Mark when compared to the Jesus I grew up knowing. Could these two men possibly be one in the same?
Brothers and sisters, the point is this: Before we must take on a fresh viewpoint on our Mission in this life, we must take a serious look at the man whom we are to imitate. That man was a radical. Are we radicals?
Much like the sonic boom described above, there is a crowd hearing the words of Jesus. That crowd is called the Church. The words and story of Jesus are a radical, immediate shift from the way things were to the way it shall be. Will you be the one staring in the wild blue yonder and get left in the dust? Or will you embrace the shift to a new radical lifestyle and take part in the Kingdom?
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Need further reading on this topic? I have been working through the book below. I encourage you to join in with me.
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