ONE-DAY-AT-A-TIME DISCIPLESHIP

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  (Matthew 28:19-20 NIV)

Discipleship means living one day at a time as though Jesus were near: near in time, near in place, the witness of our motives, our speech, our behavior. As indeed He is.

-- Brennan Manning


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DESCRIBING JESUS

Years ago during a routine confirmation class, I asked a dozen ninth graders to watch a video version of Jesus cleansing the temple. His face flushed with anger, Jesus proceeded to thrash moneyboxes, tables, and pigeon cages. Then I told my 15-year-olds to describe Jesus in five words. They rattled off the usual answers: "Jesus is loving, caring, gentle, nice, sweet, kind..." After a few minutes of sharing, Aaron, who is normally the quietest kid in the class, couldn't stand it anymore. "Hey, you guys," he blurted out, "are you describing Jesus Christ or Barney?"

-- Matthew Woodley


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A COMMUNITY OF CELEBRATION

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’  But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.”  (Luke 15:20-24 NIV)

When we as failers fail and then come to our senses, we should be eager to return home to our Christian community because we know what to expect.

We do not expect a chorus of “I told you so’s.” We do not expect a group of accusers and theology monitors. We do not expect to jump through hoops to prove we’re repentant. No. We expect a party.

That is what Christians do with failers. We are irresponsible just like Jesus. We do more than instruct, we surprise. We do more than pray, we party. We do more that correct, we dance. And we do more than love, we celebrate.

Just like Jesus. 

-- Michael Yaconelli in “Reckless Grace,” Discipleship Journal, No. 109


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