One of my favorite ministry experiences over the years has been conversations with collegeish-aged young adults. For several years we had a dozen or so young folks in our living room where we wrestled with scripture, our theologies, and the implications for daily life. After a hiatus of about six years, that opportunity has resurfaced for us.
One of the reasons I love hanging out with this age of young people is to watch them become critical thinkers – willing to wrestle with and ask questions people my age are less inclined to address. I remember several years ago a young woman asked a most compelling question to consider. I don’t entirely remember the context, but the question went something like this: “Do we love Jesus or do we love the concept of Jesus?”
As I’ve periodically pondered this thought over the past several years, it seems the question can be restated in another way. Are we truly interested in being Christ-followers or are we more enamored with the concept of being a Christ-follower?
I fell in love with my wife, Barb, 48 years ago. We couldn’t wait to be married (and those that know us, know that story!). To be honest, I was probably as much captivated by the concept of being married to her as I was in love with her. As with any newlyweds, the first year was filled with its share of ups and downs. That first year I learned this was the real deal; that I needed to figure out how to love and be loved. A concept of being married wasn’t going to get me very far.
By definition, concept suggests an abstract idea or a general notion.
Hmmm…a general notion wouldn’t have gotten me very far unless I put some wheels to it. A general notion of marriage wouldn’t have sufficed. It has taken intentionality and determination to learn how to love and care for Barb well.
I’m reminded of the Israelites as they wandered the desert for 40 years with the concept of the Promised Land on the horizon. When push came to shove and it was time to cross the Jordan River to take the land, God spoke these words to Joshua, their leader: Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. (Joshua 1:6). God told Joshua several times to be strong and courageous. Poking around in the Hebrew, I discovered that this phrase is laced with intentionality and determination. God knew the concept of a Promised Land alone wasn’t going to get them across the river.
I watch Band of Brothers at least once a year. The D-Day invasion was one of the most remarkable events in modern history. The invasion concept was a couple of years in the making. On June 6, 1944, Allied troops numbering 156,000 had to set their concept of the invasion aside and put the wheels in motion. They needed to be strong and courageous, invading enemy territory with intentionality and determination. Something that always amazes me as I watch movies or read books about the D-Day Invasion is the numerous mishaps that occurred throughout the operation. The concept actually failed the troops in many ways, yet through intentionality and determination, the operation was a success, though at great cost.
Reading through the Gospel of Matthew recently, I saw glimpses of what we are talking about. An example:
Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” Another disciple said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.” (Matthew 8:19-22)
Jesus wasn’t being rude. I suspect the teachers of the law were more interested in the concept of the law than its demands (i.e., love your neighbor, love your enemy, don’t retaliate, etc.). Jesus, the fulfillment of the law, was “saying let’s go do it.”
Few chose to follow. They might have been more enamored with the concept of following than actually doing it. In his book, The Divine Conspiracy, Dallas Willard suggests that we have made discipleship/following Jesus optional:
“A disciple is a person who has decided that the most important thing in their life is to learn how to do what Jesus said to do.”
More than a concept. Discipleship and follower-ship only happen with intentionality and determination. Or as the Apostle Paul told the Philippian Christians regarding his own follower-ship…
[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly]... (Philippians 3:10, AMPC)
This was Paul’s determined purpose as he wrote from captivity in Rome, approaching 60 years of age and likely aware that he was nearing the end of his life.
More than a concept!
Practical Theology Today 