Luke 22:24-34
I recently read some articles by Christians whose primary objective was to change the world. In these impressive articles they had borrowed from the best of sociology to demonstrate that the world has not been, nor would it ever be, changed by good ideology and sincerity. The world is changed rather by the elite of society – the cultural icons whose ideas find their way into the main stream, effecting group thought and ultimately the behavior that shapes the world. I found the articles intellectually compelling. At another level, I found them troubling.
Their point, I believe, was that the “piety” and “prayers” of believers have not changed the world yet and they have been given two millennium for this experiment which has yet yielded very marginal results. It wasn’t said outright but it implied that continuing on this course might be a form of insanity.
Another stream within the church which also aspirires to change the world has made the same observation; that those atop seven particular arenas of human affairs are the “mind-molders” – those who ultimately shape the world. It is implied within both of these streams that if Christians want to change the world, they need to set their sites on the summit and begin there ascent. I am not in disagreement but I am troubled because of something I have not heard in the dialogue.
“..let him who is greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as the servant…..I (Jesus) am among you as the one who serves.”
This passage teaches that those with aspirations to climb, even at low altitude may already hampered by the unclear thinking that normally occurs in the thinner air at the top.
“And there arose also a dispute among them as to which one of them was regarded to be the greatest.”
I can almost hear the rebuttal of the world-changers, “But we have a mandate to climb. We won’t succumb to the same pettiness as Jesus’ disciples”. Really?
Peter was giving some similar rebuttal to Jesus as He was trying to speak to him about his case of “low” altitude delusion and the vested interest Satan had in Peter’s demise. Peter’s attitude of heart was, “I can do this!”;
“Lord with You I am ready to go to both prison and to death!” Really?
We know what happened next. Peter had to be broken before he could lead. He had to discover that he had grossly misjudged himself. Can you imagine the painful awakening that began for Peter when the cock crowed three times? This was Peter’s lowest point and it was the starting place of both Peter’s revival and his ascent to the highest places of leadership in the early church.
I am not really sure which stream I am in these days but as I watch the currents swirling around me (often flowing without consideration of brokenness) I wonder if they are not dreaming that water flows uphill. Can one really lead without being broken? What are the losses within the body of Christ and to the Kingdom of God created by leaders who are unbroken?
One last question. Where in the scriptures did Jesus give us a mandate to change the world? Ok, I suppose it is implied in the original garden mandate to take dominion over the earth. But, does that original mandate today equate to setting our individual and corpoarete sights on the summits of these various mountains of influence? WWJD?
Well…I feel confident God is going to work this out somehow without my scaling the K2 of the Business Mountain. I don’t believe the point of this passage, or the scriptures, is about changing the world (at least not directly). It is about the building of God’s kingdom by those who have (and will) stand by Him in His trials who I suspect will be broken in the process – equipping them to serve then ascend.
“You are those who have stood by Me in My trials; and just as My Father has granted Me a kingdom, I grant you (the kingdom).”
There are “little-t” truths and “BIG-T” TRUTHS. Changing the world falls into the “little t” category for me. It’s real. It’s vital. It’s a worthy aspiration. However, I believe the Kingdom of God is THE “BIG-T” TRUTH. In its eternal nature it is like a vast mountain range that dwarfs the Seven Mountains of Society. One day God’s kingdom’s humble broken leaders will hike on past the high places of the earth’s movers and shakers into an eternal Kingdom. From that lofty place they will ultimately rule and judge this world (see vs 30) with love and wisdom. Then we will see the world changed in earnest. So, whether you are a world-changer or a kingdom-builder, grab a copy of Hind’s Feet on High Places, Hannah Hurnard’s trail guide to the summit. And in regards to “piety” and “prayer”, remember Satan has requested permission to sift us; so…….don’t abandon “prayer”.
Father, the winds of Your Spirit are blowing. Even though we don’t see very clearly where they are taking us, we do know that we are to gird ourselves as You did, to love and serve our neighbor. Help us to connect with the needs of those around us. Help us take our next steps downward that we may ascend. Amen.