A Donkey Ride

Have you ever had a moment in retrospect where you were amazed? You were thinking about an event and you couldn’t believe you got to be a part of it. I’ve thought about that ordinary donkey that Jesus rode into Jerusalem in 33 AD. What a lucky donkey! Didn’t have a clue the Son of God was on his back.

But thinking about Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, there are some things we can take away from John’s account during this week called Passion Week. Passion week is simply the last week of Jesus on earth before his crucifixion. Our narrative today comes from John 12:12-19.

We rediscover that Jesus is more appealing than religion. The crowds rush out of Jerusalem to greet Jesus on the road with palm branches and shouting, “Hosanna!” which means “Lord, save us now”. The Jewish people had been celebrating Passover for, well, centuries. It had turned into an obligation and a ritual. Every year, the people took the same pathways to Jerusalem. They told the same stories, said the same prayers, ate the same food with the same people. Then Jesus appeared and gave everyone a fresh perspective on who God was and how much He loved his people.

We notice some differences between Jesus and the stale religion of the day. Religion emphasizes the outward and how things look while Jesus focuses on the heart. Jesus highlights this in his confrontation with the religious leaders of his day in Matthew 23.

Religion is often about what you can’t do; Jesus is about what you can do. One often hears the “rules” listed from religion while Jesus says, “Come as you are. You don’t need to be perfect. I’ll make you perfect.”

Religion puts up barriers; Jesus tears down barriers. We see this as Jesus rides that donkey to the Temple. When he enters, he sees all the courtyards, literally barriers, with signs telling people where they can worship. In the Gentile courtyard, money changers and merchants have set up shop. They are indifferent to the Gentiles trying to worship so Jesus overturns the tables and drives out the merchants exclaiming, “My Father’s house is a place of worship for all people.”

Religion says you need to work your way to God. Check the boxes and toe the line or God will not accept you. Jesus simply says, “I am the way. Come and follow me.”

There are also four different groups of people greeting Jesus as he rides toward Jerusalem. Word reaches the Passover visitors’ ears that Jesus is coming. Everyone pours out of Jerusalem to see him. So many, in fact, the Pharisees say, “The whole world is following him.”

The first group are the disciples. They have been following Jesus for three and a half years. They truly believe that Jesus is who he says. The second group are those who were present when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. A third group are those who simply heard about Jesus raising Lazarus. And the final group are the Pharisees. We can find ourselves in one of these groups.

Are you someone who has seen what Jesus does but doesn’t really follow him because you have your own agenda and schedule? Are you someone who has heard a few things about Jesus but are really unsure if you believe any of it? Are you someone who is keeping a tally of wrong doing and more interested in telling people they are wrong rather than offering love and grace? OR are you a disciple…a follower of Jesus? Are you someone who desires to get as close to the Savior as you can no matter where that leads?

We all have the opportunity to respond to Jesus this week. The question is, how will you respond to the Lamb of God who comes to take away your sin? Most of us have narrowed down Jesus to put him in one of three categories. He is either a liar, lunatic, or Lord. This week some 2000 years ago, Jesus rode a donkey into Jerusalem to give his life for you. My hope is you will claim him as Lord and celebrate the gift of life he’s given you that we claim this week. Blessings on your journey.

Freely Overcoming Difficulty

Life typically comes at us a hundred miles an hour. We make preparations but many times, it doesn’t pan out like we had planned. Some of us are working through family issues, a difficult marriage or prodigal kids. Some of us have extended illnesses or trying to overcome cancer. Others have a tremendous amount of stress in your work environment or financial issues. Some of us suffered the loss of someone dear you thought would be around for a while longer. Hardship is a part of life but you don’t have to walk through it alone.

Paul tells us in Galatians 6 that God gives us a spirit of power and strength, not one of timidity. Paul is animate that when we say “yes” to Jesus as our Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit lives within us and then through the power of Jesus and the Holy Spirit, we can overcome anything life throws our way. Indeed, we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength.

First in Galatians 6, Paul reminds us that in Jesus, we’ll never walk alone. Verses 1, 2, and 6, he gives us some of the “one another” reminders. In fact, there are 59 times in the New Testament where followers of Jesus are reminded that we are in this thing called life, together! We are reminded that we bear each other’s burdens. No one in Christ ever needs to struggle alone. We have the Holy Spirit but also each other as the family of God.

Other writers remind us to accept one another, love one another, serve one another, bear with each other, be patient with each other, forgive one another, pray for one another and honor each other. Over and over we are reminded when you say “yes” to Jesus, you are adopted into the family of God and treated as family.

Secondly, Paul reminds us in Galatians 6 that with the Holy Spirit living within us, we’ll have an “I won’t quit” attitude in life. The world will never stops giving it to you in bad and difficult ways. There will be days you will want to give up, throw in the towel, and walk away. That’s what the enemy wants you to do.

When I was in basic military training in the 80s, I got off the bus and thought, “What have I done?” Drill instructors were yelling at me constantly. We had to do all kinds of PT and training. Up early every morning. More yelling. Our drill instructor told us in the dorm, here’s a brass bell. If you can’t handle it, just ring the bell and I’ll get you out of here.

For those of us who want to change the world for Jesus, we cannot ring the bell. Things will get difficult from time to time but that’s when we remember we have family in Jesus that will help carry our burden.

Finally, Paul reminds us when you live into the Gospel, the fear of humans shrink and glorying God grows. You begin to discover that you really don’t care what others might say about you or do to you. What matters is the Gospel story and helping others in the world see that there is a better way. Paul says that he was crucified to the world and the world no longer cares about him either. So should it be for all of us who follow Jesus.

Paul finishes by saying, “What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation.” So that’s my prayer for you. Follow Jesus closely. So closely, the dust of your rabbi settles upon you. Allow the Holy Spirit to work in your life. Difficulties will come. That’s a promise Jesus told us while he was on earth. But he went on to say, have no fear, though, for I have overcome the world. Blessings on your journey.

Freedom and Fruit

In the early ‘90s, I sang with a country music group called Crystal River. We did a monthly 2-hour music show. There were 8 of us and our group numbers together required us to dance during each number. Well, this guy had two left feet and it was hard for me to learn to keep in step with everyone. I did it with lots of practice but it took great effort on my part.

Paul tells us in Galatians 5:25 to “keep in step with the Spirit.” Chapter 5 is all about Paul contrasting several things as he reminds followers of Christ to walk in the Spirit and be led by the Spirit of God.

Paul consistently tells us it is not about how much work you do but it’s the work of Jesus on the cross that makes us right with God. He says in verse 6, “What counts is faith expressing itself through love”. Paul knows a false gospel has been introduced to the church. It’s a gospel that says you need Jesus but you also have the keep the Law. In other words, Jesus is important but keep checking boxes and doing things or God will never be happy with you.

All through Galatians 5, Paul tells us what the real gospel is all about. It’s about what Jesus has done, not about what you do that makes you right with God. He reminds us that the Spirit is greater than the flesh. I often think about the persecution the early followers experienced. The battle that must have gone on internally was no doubt incredibly tense. Most of them had to decide to follow Jesus and die or cave to the fleshly desire to live and walk away from Jesus.

See, our flesh is concerned with performance and presentation. The Law of the flesh says that we want to be seen, honored, respected, and admired. We selfishly pursue those things that will give credit to our sinful nature. We live in this performance-based world and we tend to carry that mentality into our spiritual life.

But the Spirit is concerned with changing our hearts. The Spirit of God wants to move us from hate to love, from a depressed state to one of joy; from chaos to peaceful living, from a non-compassionate spirit to one of kindness; from corrupt living to living the goodness of God; from being untrustworthy to being faithful; from having a heart full of anger to having one of gentleness; from having a short temper to being a person of patience; from being nomadic to being self-controlled.

Paul boils down how to know if you’re keeping in step with flesh or with the Spirit. He lists how we live into our fleshly desires by giving us 15 different ways of living that are not of God. He says, if it’s evident your life has in it “sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties…”, you are living into your fleshly desires. Paul goes on to say if the above represents your life, you will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

But then reminds us that we are called to live like Jesus by listing the fruit of the Spirit which are “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” Paul says we should live this way in abundance every day. It’s then we look like Jesus and are in step with the Spirit.

If you’re brave, you’ll ask someone you love and respect how your life looks. Does it look like your following a selfish path or one that your characteristics look more like the Jesus way? My hope is you’re brave enough to incorporate the fruit of the Spirit in your life…that you are keeping in step with the Spirit. With freedom in Christ, you have all the tools you need to become more like our savior everyday. You no longer have to abide by the desire of the flesh. Embrace Jesus and keep in step with the Spirit. Blessings on your journey.

Living by Faith

I am a huge fan of Google maps. It gets me were I want to go. My dad, however, doesn’t like using the digital maps app. He is old school and using bridges, fallen trees, and stone walls as observation points to get where he’s going. Paul in Galatians is helping us find our way to God. He doesn’t want to chance anything so he keeps reminding us that Jesus is the only thing to make us right with God. Don’t get lost and don’t be confused by vague or wrong directions. Jesus is the only way to be made right with God.

So many people in the world love to pair other things with Jesus, stating it’s that combination that gets you to heaven. Adding anything to Jesus though is false doctrine. Jesus plus nothing equals everything. So it makes me ask the question, “What makes legalism fascinating to people?

One. Legalism appeals to the flesh. I feel better about myself when I do something and don’t leave it up to someone else. Some folks have a mental condition called OCD. OCD is a mental health condition characterized by intrusive, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions) that people feel driven to perform to reduce anxiety. So when I do something about my salvation, I feel really good about what I have done. I have less anxiety and less dependence on others.

Two. Legalism appeals to the senses. We have a chemical in our brain called dopamine. When we do something good, it releases and we “feel good.” You see this happen when you hold your spouse’s hand or give them a kiss. When you graduate from college or build a shed in your backyard. When we accomplish things, dopamine is released and we feel good about what’s going on in our life.

So, in our spiritual walk, when I do something that’s connected to my salvation, I feel good about what I have done, dopamine is released and creates a feeling of accomplishment. Many times in my spiritual walk, I do things, believing that’s part of my salvation journey. I’m adding to my “good works” and in doing so I believe I’m creating an avenue to get to God. But Paul is reminding us in Galatians, there is nothing you can do to make you right with God. Jesus did that for us and in him we find our righteousness.

Look. There are only two religions in the world: human achievement and divine accomplishment. Every single religion in the world falls under human achievement except for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Human religion says, “Work your way.” Divine accomplishment says, “I am the Way.”

See, Christ has rescued us from the world, sin, the Law. In Galatians 3:13, Paul uses this Greek word, “exagorazo” which means “out of the marketplace.” The imaginary Paul is using is so common in his day. You were a slave, chained and bound…you were not free. But then Jesus showed up at the slave block in the marketplace and bought you. In doing so, we took the key, unchained you and set you free. He didn’t use money but bought you with his blood.

Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:21, “For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.” It’s in Christ that we have been made free. So, don’t add too God’s perfect plan in Christ by adding a checklist of things you have to do to be right with God. Jesus is the only thing we need to be perfect and right. In Jesus, you find real freedom. Blessings on the journey.

Courage Under Fire

You’ve confronted someone when things didn’t look right, right? And I know you have been confronted as well. Humans rarely enjoy conflict and those that do need therapy.

In Galatians 2, Paul tells of a moment when he confronted Peter about his church leadership, reminding him he was not living up to how Jesus called us to follow him. Both Paul and Peter, leaders in the first century church, had come to realize that the Gospel of Jesus was for everyone, not just the Jews. So, in Jerusalem, Peter had begun eating with Gentiles, sitting at their table and living life with them.

But other Jewish Christians called Judaizers believed not only did you need Jesus for salvation, you also had to keep following the Jewish Law (Torah). So these guys put a lot of pressure on Peter and Peter pulled away from the Gentile believers. Peter’s move away created chaos and confusion in the early church. So, Paul called him on it, reminding him that the Gospel was for everyone and the Law no longer controlled the lives of people following Jesus. Peter recognized his mistake and made the necessary corrections to quell the confusion.

This interaction leads us to a question: How do you respond as a follower of Jesus when someone calls you out on something? I mean, whether we are in the wrong or not, we are called to be different than the world. Our response to people who have questions about our actions is a clear indicator of what we believe about Jesus and our discipleship.

Paul reminds us in Ephesians 4:1-3, “I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.” And then he says in Romans 12:16, “Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!” So, even when it’s hurtful, always respond as Jesus would.

My wife is a public school teacher. She was questioning a 4th grade boy about his activity and he shut down. All he would say is, “If you have any questions, ask my mom.” He just repeated this script taught to him by his single mother. So, my wife reached out for a parent meeting. The young mom came into the meeting with condescending looks and words that were mean-spirited. My wife, ever professional, sat just listening. About 4-5 minutes into the meeting, the angry helicopter mom was not getting the same indignant reaction from my wife so she asked, “Why are you acting like that?” Meaning, why are you smiling and listening and not coming back at me.

Well, it’s because my wife is a follower of Jesus. She has listened well to how we are called to act, even when the world is angry and mean. Her response is a clear indication of what she believes. And it should be that way for us as well. Sometimes, it’s exhausting living in a self-centered world while trying to follow the Savior. But it will be worth it. Hang in there. The Spirit will energize you and hold you up. Let your light shine. Blessings on the journey.

No Other Gospel

You’ve had moments when you heard two different stories. My wife says that about me all the time. She knows the way we experienced it and the way I tell it. Hey, don’t let the facts get in the way of telling a good story I say.

Paul’s letter the the Galatian churches is him setting the story straight. Paul had preached the true Gospel message to the folks in towns across Galatia, setting up house churches in the towns he visited. They believed in Jesus as salvation and the way back to God the Father. However, Jewish Christians called Judaizers, were literally traveling behind Paul and preaching a different Gospel to these same churches. These false teachers were saying you need Jesus but you also have to continue keeping the Law or obeying the Jewish rule system if you want to be right with God.

Getting the Gospel right is a big deal. It’s important. As a matter of fact, our very lives depend on us getting the Gospel right and when the church does get it right, a couple of things happen.

One, people begin to experience the saving power of Jesus Christ. Jesus will change how you neighbor, raise your kids, interact with your spouse, how you interact with folks in your school and workplace…he’ll change you! Honestly, Jesus changes everything! Once you know Jesus, the power of Jesus comes into your life and you have new purpose and direction.

Secondly, God is gloried, not you and me. Everything becomes about raising up the Name of Jesus in your daily life and pointing others toward him.

So we ask Paul, what is the Gospel?

The Gospel is the good news that Jesus died for us and rose from the dead so that through faith in him, we can be made right with God and enjoy life with him forever.

And as a follower of Jesus, he wants you to tell the good news through your actions and words. There’s a great story in Mark 5 where Jesus and the disciples cross the Sea of Galilee and land on shore at the spot where a cemetery is located. As the pile out of the boat, a demon-possessed man runs down the slope out of the cemetery towards them. He is bleeding, screaming, naked, has broken chains around his wrists and is clearly crazy.

Once in front of Jesus, the man asked, “Why are you interfering with us?” (it’s the demons talking). They demand that Jesus not send them out of the area but put them in the pigs, which Jesus does. The pigs rush down the hill and into the water. All of them drown so the local townspeople are not happy and ask Jesus to leave their area.

As Jesus and the disciples start getting back in the boat, the once demon-possessed man is standing by the boat, clothed and in his right mind. He wants to go with Jesus, the person that totally saved him and changed his life forever. But Jesus says he needs the man to stay on this side of the Sea of Galilee.

Interestingly, in Mark 7, Jesus and the disciples go over once again to the Gentile side of the Sea, where the demon-possessed man had been before. But now, Jesus and his disciples are welcomed by the people and invited to stay and do ministry. Why? Well, it’s because the man whose life was changed radically by Jesus went into the Decopolis and told everyone the good news about Jesus. They were ready and waiting.

See, in our lives as well, Jesus calls us, right where we live and work to share the Good News about Jesus, the man who can and will change your life forever. So, begin looking for those opportunities to share how Jesus has changed your life, revealing how Jesus can change their lives as well. Blessings on the journey.

Speak Boldly

The times when our kids speak out can be embarrassing. Once while standing near a man with an artificial limb, our youngest son asked him if he was a robot. Innocent I know but still. I feel sometimes we, as followers of Jesus, are a little embarrassed to talk about Jesus.

We’ll say things like, “I’ll just let my life be my witness.” While that’s an important part of following Jesus, our spoken words about His greatness are equally important. See, our behavior is born out of belief. We speak boldly about what we believe deeply. Case in point…

Peter and John are on the way to the Temple in Jerusalem in Acts 3 when they stop and heal a crippled beggar. Once he’s on his feet, they all three go into the Temple and a crowd gathers because they recognize the man who has been begging for years but he’s on his feet. Peter uses this opportunity to share the story of Jesus. He vocalizes the importance of knowing Jesus. It creates such a commotion, Peter and John are arrested and placed in jail overnight.

The next morning, the authorities begin to question Peter and John and admonish them to never speak in the Name of Jesus again. But Peter replies, “We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard.”

As we live out and tell of the greatness of Jesus, there are four things I want to encourage you to do. Because I believe so deeply in Jesus, I can’t help but speak boldly to myself. Isaiah said in Isaiah 61:1, that “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me and I have a message to tell.” You have the Spirit of God within you so use his strength to share the story of Jesus. Remind yourself that you are a “preacher” and didn’t know it.

Because I believe so deeply in Jesus, I can’t help but encourage you. We should be the most encouraging people on the planet. We have an incredible life in Jesus. He blessed us in so many ways. So be an encourager of people. Paul says in Galatians to not give up doing good. Everyday, look for ways you can share Jesus and encourage people on their journey.

Because I believe so deeply in Jesus, I can’t help but lovingly correct you. There are times that I believe God’s mandate so strongly that I must come along side and speak boldly. But speak the truth in love. Don’t be a jerk about it. Matthew 18 is where Jesus gives us the formula for helping people live a better life. Go one on one first. If that doesn’t work, then take a friend with you. If there is still no difference, take your observation to the shepherds at your church. Our goal is to encourage folks to come home, not “be right” and condescending.

Finally, because I believe so deeply, I can’t help but lead you toward Christ. That should be everyone of our goals. Peter and John knew that when they said they could not stop telling about what they know concerning Jesus. My guess would be if you don’t speak boldly, maybe it’s because you don’t believe deeply.

Use every opportunity to speak life into the people that cross your path everyday. I believe we have those chances everyday but make decisions to move past them. May the Holy Spirit give you courage to speak for and about Jesus. May your life be a light on the hill for those searching for a better way. May God guide your steps each time you leave the house. Blessings on the journey.

Be the Light.

My two sons and I were in Boy Scouts together when we lived in Kansas City. I was the troop chaplain and an assistant Scout master. One of the trips we took was to south Missouri to go caving. Once the tents were set up, we donned our hard hats, head lamps and gloves and journeyed into the darkness. Our lights were absolutely necessary in order to see our way around once inside. Without light, we couldn’t see the hand in front of our face. Having light showed us the path to walk. Without, we’d plunge into the water or down the slippery rocks. With the light, everything was illuminated.

Jesus calls us to be certain things as his disciples and followers. He does so at the front end of the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:13-16. Jesus says, “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”

Jesus’ audience knew the value of salt. Behind the sun and water, it was a most important commodity to survival. Some scholars believe that early Roman army personnel in remote posts were paid with salt. The Latin word, Salarium (salt money), is where we get our English word, “Salary”. You’ve heard the phrase, “He isn’t worth his salt.”

Today, a salt of the earth person is a really good person. Jesus is saying, “You were a bad person because of sin who has been transformed by a good God so now you will be an influencer for Jesus.” See salt preserves and purifies. Salt living also creates thirst. A dark world sees your life and Jesus and craves the good life you have. Salt living melts hard hearts. Like salt on top of ice while making ice cream, salt living melts difficult hearts.

Jesus is saying you can be that influencer who effects people who’ve been hurt by the world or religion or others.

But Jesus also calls us to let our light shine for others. In Jesus’ day, small clay pitchers were filled with oil then lit at the mouth of that pitcher to create a lamp. If it was windy, you might put a wicker basket over it so the flame would not be snuffed out. Inside the house though, you’d had several lamps around without any baskets over them so the whole house would be well lit.

Jesus is telling us disciples, don’t hide your light. Be light for a dark world. Don’t cover up your light as a follower. Let your light shine so that others living in darkness know where to go…where to step.

So in your office space, be the kind of employee who has great work ethic and who’s the kind of coworker others trust and go to for leadership. In your home, be the kind of house on your block that all the kids come to…the house all the other parents respect and trust with their kids. In your family, be the spiritual leader who is showing your kids how to pray and daily being in God’s Word. At your church, don’t just be a consumer, be a follower who is actively involved in serving others. In your neighborhood, be the neighbor is offering to help where ever you can.

Jesus called us to be salt and light. This world is full of darkness and so many are exhausted and tired of groping around in the darkness. Help others see the light of Jesus and the better way of living that is available to everyone who follows him. Blessings on your journey.

I am God's Masterpiece

I have had the privilege of visiting the Louvre in Paris, France. The museum is full of incredible pieces of art and at the end of the tour, you’ll be swimming because of so much visual stimulation. One of the pieces in the museum is the famous Mona Lisa by DeVinci. Currently, it’s worth $770 million. But did you know, God has designated you as worth more than that? God says you’re different, unique, priceless. You are created by the ultimate artist, God, to bring him glory and honor in your life.

The Apostle Paul tells us in Ephesians 2:1-10, that each of us were living in darkness and sin before we proclaimed Jesus as our King and Savior. In Christ, we are brand new, clean, found righteous and in good standing with God. And our right-standing with God has nothing to do with what we’ve done…everything to do with what Jesus did. We are not saved by our good works but saved for good works.

Ultimately, you were created for the Master’s purpose. The Psalmist tells us in Psalm 139 that God knew our story and all our days before one of them came to be. In all of history, you were the perfect person to be born right now to give God glory through your life.

I have used tools before incorrectly. For example, I’m up on a ladder with a cordless drill and I see a nail sticking out, I’ve incorrectly used the handle of the drill to hammer the nail in. That’s not what a drill is used for. In our life, sometimes we don’t know our purpose so we incorrectly use it by filling it with inappropriate sexual relationships or drugs and alcohol or being a workaholic. But you don’t ask the thing what’s its purpose is, you ask the one who created it. So, God reminds us that we exist to bring God glory and honor in our life.

God also reminds us through the Apostle Peter that we have everything we need to do everything God wants you to do (2 Peter 1:3). With you talents and giftedness, your life experience, your relationships, you have all the pieces need to get in sync with God’s purposes for you.

Finally, God uses everything in your life to bring about his purposes. Paul tells us in Romans 8:28, “…we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” “Everything” includes the good things and not so good things. It includes the things you wanted to happen and the things you never wanted to happen. In Christ, God works in all things to bring about his purposes if we remain in Christ and live to glorify him.

You may be saying, “I’m not good enough” but remember, He’s already said you’re a masterpiece. You may be saying, “I don’t like myself”. Then let God remake you. He’s the potter, you are the clay. You’re a masterpiece of God…his crowning love and joy. Once you know who you are, you’ll know exactly what to do. Blessings on the journey.

I am an Ambassador

At the White House, adjacent to the West Wing sits the Eisenhower EOB (Executive Office Building). In that building sits a chair. It’s the same chair the Ambassador from Japan sat in as he dictated a 14-part message about the breakdown of negotiations between Japan and America. At that very moment, Pearl Harbor was being bombed. He was the highest ranking representative from Japan and spoke for the emperor.

The Apostle Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 5, that we have a message from Christ. In deed, we are the message from Christ. The message is that in Christ, we are brand new. Through Christ, we have been reconciled back to God. Reconciliation means “restored to the Divine”…to take what’s broken spiritually and make it right. So, as followers and believers, we are ambassadors for Christ sent from Heaven to earth to proclaim this message. And when you know who you are, you’ll know what to do.

As an ambassador, you are not elected by people but chosen and appointed by God. See, it doesn’t matter what other people might think of you. God has chosen you, So many times, we let what others think of us dictate how engaged we are with presenting the message of Jesus. Our high school/university friends say, “I know who you are…I’ve seen the things you have done and said. You want to be a follower of Jesus?!” And the laughing begins.

But Jesus himself said in John 15, “You did not choose me. I chose you.” Even with our mess ups and poor life choices, Jesus still picked us to represent him on earth. We are called to be the message of Jesus to those around us.

Remember all the issues the Saul (who became the apostle Paul) did early in life? He was an up and coming Pharisee in Jerusalem. But in Acts, he was going to tear the church down. We are introduced to him as he holds the coats of the men who stoned Stephen to death in Acts. Then he’s on the way to Damascus to arrest other Jesus-followers when Jesus appears to him. Jesus tells him to go ahead to Damascus and wait for a guy named Ananias who will teach him, heal him and baptize him. Jesus tells Ananias, “I’ve chosen Paul (despite his previous actions) to be my spokesman.” And that’s exactly what he’s done for us…called us to follow and be an ambassador for him.

Equally, you never represent yourself but you always represent God. Knowing everything he was going to endure for our sake—humiliation, beating, crucifixion—Jesus said in John 6:38, “It is not my will but the will of the one who sent me.”

Jesus has sent you to be his ambassador. That’s a call to get out of your comfort zone and embrace those around you with the message of reconciliation. How many times have you been in the break room at work, or talking with your next door neighbor, or discussing something with the cashier at Wal-Mart and sensed something was not right? That’s the insight of the Holy Spirit reminding you in the moment to ask a question, pray over someone, put an arm around someone and remind them, Jesus is present and with them.

For those of us a little shy and unsure, remember what Paul said in Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” We are empowered by the very same power that raised Jesus from the dead so go on…be brave…know you’ve been called to be an ambassador for Jesus Christ. You represent the King of kings and Lord of lords. Blessings on your journey.