In my most recent sitting with some good friends the discussion came around to having difficulty with "really getting into the Bible." We all identified with the one person who admitted of nodding off while reading. In other words, how reading the Bible affects the reader. I was inquisitive as to how they read the Bible and the answer was what I expected. "Silently." I shared that my experience of reading out loud has led me of a visualization in mind as to the beauty, glory of the battle, power of the written word pulling me into the story. Thinking back to my childhood, some of my most memorable moments were in Sunday School when Mrs. Welton made a Bible story come alive by retelling it in her own words. Another was when Grandmother would capture my attention by dramatically reading an incident from the life of Jesus or an Old Testament hero (o' yes - in the King James Version). In both cases, my imagination involved me in the story. Bettyann claims I have an over active imagination, most of the time. But to this day a carefully crafted story communicates far more to me, reading out loud than reading it silently. One of my favorite ways of involving myself in reading the Gospels or for that matter, the Epistles, Revelation along with books of the Old Testament is by listening thru a Bible app. Hearing the written words seem to wash over me and sweep me up into another time and another place. My imagination fully engaged, I seem to be able to hear the story, placing myself in the author's narrative more than if I had simply read the story for myself.
I had not given it much thought before our conversation the other day; but thinking about reading, especially the Gospel narratives, in this same way; reading them aloud in order to hear the narrative flow and to be swept up into the world of the first century. I'm finding this most easy to do with the parables of Jesus. It is helpful to me in my retelling of God's story.
I had not given it much thought before our conversation the other day; but thinking about reading, especially the Gospel narratives, in this same way; reading them aloud in order to hear the narrative flow and to be swept up into the world of the first century. I'm finding this most easy to do with the parables of Jesus. It is helpful to me in my retelling of God's story.
They both trod along the dusty streets of ancient Jerusalem: one as an outcast and traitor and the other as a would-be hero. One used his position to cheat and extort his own people. The other carried a dagger under his cloak to swiftly exact vengeance on agents of government extortion. Neither man would have hoped to meet the other. Yet, a Stranger from a backwater town would bring the two of them together. In fact, this most unlikely pair would not only meet, but serve alongside each other. All that had previously defined them would give way to a new understanding and a new path of life.
On that most unexpected day, Matthew was collecting taxes from the people. He made sure to extract more than what was necessary to fill his coffers with unlawful profits. The Stranger who came by the tax office that day looked like any other man, so it likely came as quite a shock to Matthew when the Stranger called out to him, "Follow me." No one from among the people of Israel would even desire to speak with Matthew—yet this Stranger called after him and invited him to follow. To where, he did not know, but His welcoming invitation was irresistible. That very night, Matthew invited the Stranger to his home for dinner and they reclined at the same table. Even to Matthew, it would have been a radical sight. Seated among the most despised members of society, didn't the Stranger know how deeply this bunch was hated? How was it that He had come to Matthew's house, a man hated in all Israel for being a sellout to the Roman government? Yet, here was this intriguing Stranger eating and drinking with outsiders and sellouts.( my recollection from Mark 2:13-17)
The day that Simon the Zealot was approached would be no less surprising. The Zealots sought any and all means to overthrow their Roman oppressors. As revolutionaries, Simon's political affiliates hated all that Matthew's kind represented. For Simon, Matthew was nothing but a colluder with those who sought to oppress the people of Israel. Yet this Stranger from Nazareth called both of these men to His side. "Follow me," He asked. So along with a group of fisherman—Simon Peter, the sons of Zebedee, James and John—and this wretched tax collector, Simon the Zealot was invited to follow this Stranger who gathered a most unexpected group of followers.(my recollection from Mark 3:13-19)
Why would anyone call such an eclectic collection of people to become his followers? What kind of leader brings together people who for all practical purposes are at opposing ends of the spectrum with regards to their views of the world?
The man was Jesus of Nazareth. And his call to "follow" has upended all my expectations, as theirs, replaced all previous affiliations of which I remain struggling with, and is continuing to transform my view of the world. I've seen this unlikely group follow Jesus beyond their personal expectations and goals, as well as their expectations of Him as our leader. The nature of His teachings and His form of radical hospitality has caused me to continually call upon His Grace to walk closer to His side. Jesus called Matthew as well as Simon and me; sellouts and revolutionaries alike. And the power of Christ's message is displayed in the fact that a tax collector authored one of the four gospels, and the Zealot most likely gave his life, not as a revolutionary hero, but as a martyr for the gospel.( Many later church traditions suggest that Simon joined Jude in apostolic ministry. Later tradition suggests that Simon was martyred by being sawn in two.) What lies ahead for me? Will I suffer little, hard, long? He has it determined!Jesus proclaimed good news good enough to bring together a tax collector, a zealot, a nondescript fella from entirely opposing camps, the poor and the rich, the outcast and the sellouts. Indeed, He declared that anyone who does the will of God is His brother and sister and mother. The good news has been also given to a former blasphemer, persecutor, and violent aggressor. But this is not what I remember the apostle Paul for either. I remember him for his efforts to take the good news throughout the Roman world.
This gospel story, I've experienced, has a way of reaching out and adopting into the this family of Jesus a most unlikely group of characters. Jesus, to this day, continues to call them to follow him—together—as the gospel goes forth into the utmost parts of the earth.
This gospel story, I've experienced, has a way of reaching out and adopting into the this family of Jesus a most unlikely group of characters. Jesus, to this day, continues to call them to follow him—together—as the gospel goes forth into the utmost parts of the earth.
This, then, is both the challenge and the opportunity of entering into the gospel narrative. As I have placed myself in the narrative, I hear an invitation broad enough, wide enough, and good enough to include even me; it also reaches out and welcomes those I might not expect and bids me to serve alongside. It challenges me to leave my preconceptions behind, as the door to the kingdom of God swings open to fellow sinners who will become saints. And it ushers us in a community of new allegiances, a body only God could create and a story too good and too true.
Thank You, Father, Son and Holy Spirit!
Thank You, Father, Son and Holy Spirit!
