One of Us: The Heart of the Matter, Part 16 (Our Response)
"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us." (John 1:14 NIV)
I have been to many praise and worship services where teenagers abound, but none
have had a bigger impact than those where the worship leader leaves the stage
and starts walking or dancing amidst the youth. You can literally hear the roar
of these youngsters as they welcome him.
This happened twice while we were at Kingdom Bound this year. The first time, we
were enjoying a concert by the worship group named Chasen, who clearly declared
that they weren't here to sing, but to lead people to Jesus. At the end of the
concert the lead singer came down from his platform and started walking in the
midst of the crowd, all the while, taping the audience for a podcast. Never had
I heard such a loud cheering!
That same night Tobymac did the same thing, and to the dismay of security
agents, he walked amidst a crowd of more than 6000 people, singing about
losing our way.
Both worship leaders were welcomed with a roar. The audience was fascinated with
the fact that these lead singers were willing to come close to them. They were
indeed one of us!
Heaven was differently perceived as well when the Highest among them came to be
one of us, leaving everything behind to lead a life a misery that ended up in a
horrific death, so that we, who didn't know heaven, could experience His
resurrection life for eternity.
"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us." (John 1:14 NIV)
"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very
nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made
himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human
likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became
obedient to death - even death on a cross!" (Phil 2:5-8 NIV)
And because the One had come to us, He became one of us. And though many turned
their backs on Him, His message was heard! Had He not come, we would all still
be wallowing in our self-pity with no hope in sight!
Still many have not heard the message from the One who came from heaven to be
one of us. They are still living is despair. It is true that many of them will
continue to live unperturbed lives, even if they hear the message. However a few
will capture the importance of the message, and they are the ones whose lives
will change from despair to utter hope, exactly what we experienced when we met
the humble Son of God.
The problem is, who will respond to their needs? Who will answer the call from
the One who came from heaven to show us the way?
"Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go
for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" (Isa 6:8 NIV)
I wish we were all as brazen as Isaiah who didn't hesitate to answer the call.
After all, we've ALL been called to go and share the message.
"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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."
(Matt 28:18-20 NIV)
Notice that the text doesn't say that we have to leave our neighbourhood in
order to answer His call, neither does it say that we should all become
missionaries in foreign countries. All it says is to go wherever we are and
share the message of hope with others.
The problem is, many of us don't understand what "go" means and neither do we
know how to share "the message". Too often our mouth babbles meaningless
religious terms that no one understands, and instead of bringing people to
Jesus, we cause them to shy away from us! Is it possible it's because we might
not have totally embraced the message ourselves, or that we don't completely
rely on the One who is with us "always, to the very end of the age"?
"Do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given
what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father
speaking through you." (Matt 10:19-20 NIV)
Sharing the message is really an act of worship, our response to the One who
came to reach out to us. As He did it for us, we want to do it for those who are
hopeless. They are that important in His eyes.
"Please help me!"
How will we answer this call?
Rob Chaffart