Today, I am wondering about the risks of following Jesus.
Dan Kimball says, in his book, The Emerging Church,
that Leslie Newbigin [after 38 years as a missionary in India] found that
ministry in England was now “much harder than anything I met in India. The cold
contempt for the gospel is harder to face than opposition” (68).
In the recent past, one could argue that it was easy to
identify with Christ and with his Church. Such days are gone. It has become a
risk.
II Corinthians 2-7 is an account of how difficult it was
for Paul. He offers several accounts of the dangers he faced. He had “jumped
the shark,” in the minds of many people. The phrase comes from “Happy Days,”
the episode in which Fonzie literally got on water skies and “jumped the
shark.” It was one of my favorite shows – until that moment. They had gone too
far for me. Paul was willing to go that far, discredited in the minds of many,
including his fellow Jews, in order to identify with Christ.
Some people who are part of Hollywood identify themselves
openly as followers of Christ. It can end a career. This time is not for people
who want “Christianity lite.”
What I find a bit disturbing, however, is that the
challenge Paul faced was with the good people of the churches meeting in
Corinth. Here is how expresses the challenge from them.
We have
spoken frankly to you Corinthians; our heart is wide open to you. 12
There is no restriction in our affections, but only in yours. 13 In
return-- I speak as to children-- open wide your hearts also. (II Corinthians
6:11-13)
Paul has opened his heart to them. That was his risk with
them. They have not returned the favor. The letter indicates that many of them,
in fact, have closed their hearts to him. Sadly, churches have been all too
good at shooting their own wounded workers. Yes, one can entail a risk in
uniting with a community of faith.
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