Musing – Evangelism or Discipleship? What Did Jesus Do?

Hebraic Musing – Evangelism or Discipleship?  What Did Jesus Do?

Let’s start with what Jesus told us to do (in red letters).  "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations… “ Matt 28:18-19 NIV

We recently found that we “Christ followers” don’t always relate to people in the way Jesus did.  Remember WWJD?   He connected with people, through relationships and friendships.  I cannot help but recall Jesus’ classic encounter with the Samaritan women at the well in John 4.  Observations:
- He was not in a church or a synagogue.  In fact, He was where He normally would not go, Samaria!
- He met her where she was at.  She was at work.
- She anticipated condemnation - “How can you ask me for a drink?" Jews didn’t associate with Samaritans.
- He told her she was about to get a “Gift of God”!
- He promised her a unique gift – “Whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst” ?!?!
- Then He inquired into her background.  AND He was willing to take time to listen to her response.
- She openly described her life and acknowledged her sinful past.
- He filled in the blanks with factual understanding of her past.
- She respected Jesus – “Sir, I can see that you are a prophet.”  And then she asked questions.
- And she believed Him.  AND she began to tell others.

What a wonderful example of taking time to build a relationship and win a disciple.  BUT what was the reaction of the other disciples in John 4:27?  “Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman.” Much less, a Samaritan Woman!!!  Have you ever had a fellow church member express surprise that you were witnessing to a sinner outside of church, and/or in a “sinful” place?  (In my early Christian years, I can recall many successful witnessing session while flying 1^st class on Friday nights and relationships built in cocktail lounges with colleagues.  Non-traditional environment but enormously successful!  Being Careful!) 

Did Jesus follow the criteria suggested by David Kinnaman* for facilitating a non-believer’s mutual respect?   1. Listen to me; 2. Don’t label me; 3. Don’t be so smart; 4. Put yourself in my place; 5. Be genuine; 6. Be my friend with no other motives.   These sound like good discipleship techniques requiring the Holy Spirit’s help.

How did Jesus apply those criteria for building respect and mutual esteem in Luke 19 when He encountered Zacchaeus, a sinful tax collector?
- Jesus invited himself to Zacchaeus’ home.  Note that Jesus did not invite Zacchaeus to the synagogue!
- Zach was pleased and came down immediately.
- The people did not understand!  They muttered "He has gone to be the guest of a 'sinner.'"  Vs.7
- Zach acknowledged he was a sinner and voluntarily promised a restoration plan.
- And Jesus immediately declared (red letters) "Today salvation has come to this house,…”  Vs. 9

Do I sense a common thread – taking time to listen to people and meeting them where they are at?  Finding out what has happened in the other person’s life that took them down their path.  All of this involves loving your neighbor?  Should we be Telling or Listening?  Should we Evangelize or Disciple?

Points to ponder

What would happen if we loved our neighbors, instead of insisting on being “morality police”?

Did Jesus scold people?  (only the Pharisees who should have known better)

Notice that Jesus listened and engaged in discipleship even before they knew who He was?

Although it takes MY time to listen, who gave me time in the first place?

Do we have the patience to listen, understand and build relationships?
Or (sarcastically) is our witnessing more like “Speed Dating”?

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                               November 27, 2018  

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”   Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

*  Quotes & Inspiration gleaned from UNCHRISTIAN, by David Kinnaman, 2007;  253 pages

Musing – According to the Lord, no leftovers at Thanksgiving!

Hebraic Musing – According to the Lord, no leftovers at Thanksgiving!

Could the original Thanksgiving be compared with the fellowship offering of thanksgiving prescribed in Leviticus?  “‘The meat of their fellowship offering of thanksgiving must be eaten on the day it is offered; they must leave none of it till morning.’” — Leviticus 7:15  Why or how should it all be consumed the same day?  Why did the Lord say “No leftovers”?

According to my friends at International Fellowship of Christians and Jews – There is something very unique about the thanksgiving offering – all of it had to be consumed by sunset on that day.  In fact, it was impossible for those bringing the thanksgiving offering to finish all the food by themselves in the required time.  So why did God mandate it this way?

Sages explain that the impossible requirements were quite intentional.  God wanted the worshipper to be unable to complete the task on his own so that he would invite others to join him.  Those bringing the offering would be forced to share their meal with others, who inevitably would ask why.  This would give worshippers the opportunity to share their story and gratitude with others.  And that’s precisely the point of the offering; to express genuine, heartfelt gratitude to God.  In this way, the offering would be complete.

The importance of thanking God for our blessings, especially in the presence of others, is something that will certainly never change.  For good reason, too – not only is it pleasing to God, but it also does wonders for us. Gratitude has the power to completely change our outlook on life – from one of pessimism to optimism, from sadness to joy.

Saying “thank you” to God isn’t just a gift we give to Him; it’s the greatest gift we can give to ourselves!

Thanksgiving comes only once a year on the calendar, but Judaism says, why wait until then?  Whenever something great happens in life – like the birth of a child or a healing – people are encouraged to host a meal of thanksgiving.  Some families make it a habit to share what they are thankful for around the family table every Friday night on Shabbat.  In this way we carry out the tradition of the thanksgiving offering; it is part of our past and it will be part of our future, so it should be part of our present as well.

Reminds me of one of my many favorite songs:
♫  Give thanks with a grateful heart, Give thanks to the Holy One.
Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son.
And now let the weak say, "I am strong."  Let the poor say, "I am rich
Because of what the Lord has done for us"  Give thanks… ♫

Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, a renowned Jewish theologian, who once said, “It is gratefulness which makes the soul great.”  Would you agree with him?

Points to ponder

How can your traditional Thanksgiving Dinner be a “Moment Closest to Christ”?

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                           November 20, 2018  

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”   Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

Note –  From “The Original Thanksgiving” email – HolyLandMoments@bless.ifcj.org Nov.18, 2018

Musing – What are UnChristian things Christians are known for?

Hebraic Musing – What are UnChristian things Christians are known for?

David Kinnaman published the results of extensive research with the Barna Group in his book “Unchristian”.*  The results of his survey make me cringe (with introspection I realize these truths).  We know that church attendance is declining in America and the biggest challenge is reaching the younger generations.  So, if we can identify the UnChristian things we Christians are known for, can we start becoming more Christian?  Do we Christians today represent what Jesus had intended? 

What are we Christians known for?  Based on research “We have become famous for what we oppose rather than what we are for.”   How is present day Christianity perceived by Young Outsiders? **  Answer – Anti-homosexual, judgmental, hypocritical; and to a lesser degree – old-fashioned, too into politics, out of touch with reality, insensitive to others, not accepting of other faiths.  “But they have good values and principles.”

How many times have you been told that churches are full of hypocrites?  Unfortunately, they are right.  Lifestyles and perspectives of church-goers are not much different than those of people around us – No fruit, no holy living.  A majority of younger born-again adults believe gambling, co-habitation, sexual fantasies are morally acceptable.  They are living out their Christian faith with enormous moral laxity.  Meanwhile, Young People are searching for authenticity, but they find more transparent and authentic people outside the church.  Are we like the Pharisees?  “They tie up heavy loads and put them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.” Matt 23:4  NIV    

Young Outsiders feel they know what we want before any words are uttered.  “Christians are insincere and concerned only with converting others.”  They know we want people to “Get Saved”.  (This is a big one for me personally.  My children and wife were telling me for years that I needed to “get saved”.  My response, “I’m not drowning, what do I need a life jacket for”.  This buzz-worded advice from my loving family fell on deaf ears for ten years!)  Outsiders typically have a lot of experience and background with the Christian faith – “Been there, done that”; and familiarity breeds contempt.  Surveys show that 65% of young adults have already made or assert a commitment to Jesus Christ at some point in their life!

Surveys show Christians are perceived by Young People as prideful and quick to find fault in others; they quickly see through this.  (While drafting this, I listened to a disciplee share his morbid past with me.  I asked if he had ever shared that information with any other Christians.  He quickly answered “No, they are too judgmental!”)   Introspective survey – Here is an “agree or disagree” statement -- “Christian churches accept and love people unconditionally regardless of how they look or what they do.”  Interesting results – Pastors agreed 76%; Christians and Churchgoers agreed about 45%;  but Outsiders agreed only 20%.  OUCH!

Solutions – What can we do as Christ-followers?  Maybe we should respond to people the way Jesus did?  He connected with people by developing relationships.  Are Christians poor listeners or self-centered?  Do we try to evangelize like “Speed Dating”?  Merely repeating what the Bible teaches is not considered valid or compelling evidence for most Young Outsiders.  When they come into our church they do not want to be scolded.  They need and require our help & empathy.  

Young people will not listen to us until they respect us.  Here are their suggested criteria for gaining respect and mutual esteem:   1. Listen to me; 2. Don’t label me; 3. Don’t be so smart; 4. Put yourself in my place; 5. Be genuine; 6. Be my friend with no other motives.  (When I first read this I said “Ouch” to myself.   I am finding this musing to be the most difficult ever to draft?)

Points to ponder

Sit in Starbucks and look around.  What do those people think of you as a Christian?

Are we Christians known for our love for our neighbor, or are we known as morality police?
We have Churches on every corner but the hurting people are on the outside.

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                               November 13, 2018  

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”   Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

*  These comments and paraphrases were gleaned from UNCHRISTIAN, by David Kinnaman, 2007;  253 pages

**  These perceptions come from surveys, conversations and firsthand experiences with Christians.

David Kinnaman - “My prayer is that this research will help to confirm things in your mind and soul
     so that your efforts with and concern for young outsiders will grow.”

Musing – Why Should We Seek to See the Good in Everyone?

Hebraic Musing – Why Should We Seek to See the Good in Everyone?

The world is a big place, over 300-million square miles of oceans and continents.  Not only is the world a large place, it is complex and filled with different species, plant life, and tiny organisms.  And there are a multitude of cultures, languages, political systems, and ideologies.  Thousands of years of history have contributed to the world we know today.  Therefore, can any one person, living in one particular time and place for only a relatively few years really understand the workings of the world?  Are we fit to judge anyone, discerning and understanding the reasons for their behavior(s)?

The answer in Ecclesiastes 8:17 could be paraphrased “No way!”    “No one can comprehend what goes on under the sun. Despite all his efforts to search it out, man cannot discover its meaning. Even if a wise man claims he knows, he cannot really comprehend it.” NIV    We are not in a position to truly and fully understand our world with our very limited knowledge; so we are not really fully equipped to make clear judgments.

Some Jewish sages teach that in a similar way every individual is a world unto himself.  We each have unique characteristics and personality traits, strengths and weaknesses, beliefs, dreams, backgrounds and fears.  Furthermore, each of us has a unique experiential history that has made us who we are today. 

So is anyone really qualified to judge the behavior of another person?  Can any of us at any given time and place possibly possess enough knowledge about another person to make an accurate assessment?  The answer, of course, is no.  Just as we lack knowledge of our world, we can never fully comprehend another individual.  

We are definitely unqualified to judge whether they are condemned to hell, or not.  However, while we need to be careful judging anyone else’s behavior, we can choose what we see.  We can focus on the negative, or we can focus on the good. 

Moses had to make that choice on Mount Nebo as he looked westward and surveyed all the land beyond the Jordan river.  He asked God “Let me go over and see the good land beyond the Jordan…” Deut. 3:25 NIV   The sages ask:  Why did Moses say he wanted to see the land?  Surely if he went into it, he would automatically see it.  They explain that Moses wasn’t simply asking to visit the land – he was asking to see the good in the land.  There is good and bad in everything, and we all have to constantly pray to see the good — in our world, in our lives, and in the people around us.

I am reminded of a highly respected and successful chief executive I worked for years ago.  He had the exceptional ability to place people in positions which utilized their unique and strongest attributes.  He and the organization were highly successful.  He focused on identifying and building on a person’s strengths.

Let that be our prayer today —that we will see the good in everyone we meet.  Consider the words from an ancient Jewish prayer that is said to be on the wall of Rachel’s Tomb in Bethlehem: “May it be Your will, God, that I not find faults in anyone.  Through Your mercy, may I always merit to judge others favorably; may You bestow upon me the intelligence to understand how to search for and find redeeming factors, strengths, and virtues, in my fellow man, at all times.” Amen

Points to ponder

Why do we find it too easy to criticize, or think critically?

Why is “catch them doing good” called “positive parenting”?

How do you feel when people acknowledge the good in you?
And then, why do we feel unworthy when told how good we are?

How will seeing good in others help us evangelize the world?

♫  Good Christian Men, Rejoice with heart and soul and voice….♫

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                                  November 6, 2018

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”   Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

Note – Excerpted and annotated for clarification from “See the Good in Everyone” by IFCJ of Aug.31, 2018