JP11: “MOVE WITH A PURPOSE!”: HOW WE GAIN CERTAINTY IN AN UNCERTAIN WORLD

A gym coach recently shouted a familiar military phrase, “Move with a purpose!” and I joked, “Where am I?”.  Her spirited encouragement sparked some nostalgia and I was reminded of a related expression.

The term “half-stepping” is a way to describe low quality effort.  Instead of being “all in'' a half-stepper never takes a full stride.  I wonder if it was my half-stepping effort that inspired the coach's “Move with a purpose!”  

As we settle in for the longer term impacts from months of social distancing, quarantines, mask mandates, extreme schedules, and profound loss how can we move forward in full stride? What if there were some transcendent principles to prepare us for any uncertain future?

As we look ahead to a new normal, Jesus’ talk with the Galileans helps us build a resilient perspective and move with a purpose through any test.

Following his baptism and temptation in the wilderness, Jesus launches his three year campaign to rescue humanity in Galilee. The apostle Mark describes Jesus’ kickoff message like this:

...Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.  And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”  And immediately they left their nets and followed him.  And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets.  And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him. Mark 1:14-20

Jesus moved with a purpose toward the Sea of Galilee.  The “time is fulfilled” to share his timeless and transforming message!  Like today, there were many false messages of hope in the days of Jesus and Mark is eager that we not miss the life changing good news according to Jesus.

What is the good news according to Jesus?  

1) The time is fulfilled: The coming of Jesus from heaven to earth is part of God’s plan to rescue us.  His timing is perfect.

2) The Kingdom of God is at hand: The coming of God’s Kingdom to earth was formally started when Jesus came down to earth from heaven to initiate redemption for all mankind.

3) Repent (of sin): Acknowledge that we are loved sinners, turn away from our sin, and turn to Jesus for forgiveness and reconciliation with God the Father.

4) Believe (in Christ’s death and resurrection): Jesus’ offer of forgiveness is to those who believe and go full stride into the Jesus way.

5) Follow: The command is to follow Jesus alone.  Sometimes we dilute this command to follow Jesus when we are known more for our stance with regard to a political platform, social agenda, or personal opinions than Jesus himself.  By elevating ourselves we risk trading eternal rewards that flow from a humble heart for temporary, earthly glories.

6) I will make you fishers of men:  Becoming a fisher of men is a result of Christ following.  Jesus is saying that following him involves making people our priority in every context of life.  And, Jesus says that he will show us how that works in our neighborhoods, workplaces, sports teams, and every place where we connect with people.  He provides us with the very real capacity to love people who aren’t like us and with the space we need to invite others into our lives.  One could say that if we’re not fishing, we’re not following Jesus.

The good news according to Jesus makes real a completely new possibility for all of humanity.  

His message was so inviting that fishermen stopped what they had been doing their whole lives - on, the, spot.  There was no hesitation, getting things in order, or long goodbyes.  One minute they were casting nets.  The next minute they left it all behind.  They moved with a purpose.

What was so amazing about this news?  

Hundreds of years of messianic prophecy were fulfilled in the coming of Jesus! He was initiating the sovereign reign of God on earth, that will be fully consummated when Jesus returns to establish his 1,000 year reign.

People close to Jesus were watching, waiting, and ready to respond.  Jesus clarifies how we respond with these words, “Repent...believe...follow”.  We can join God’s Kingdom now by repenting of sin, believing in Jesus Christ as the Messiah, and following Jesus as Lord of our lives.

Hearing Jesus’ invitation, Mark makes this stunning observation about the way Simon and his brother Andrew responded, “immediately they left their nets and followed him.”  About James and his brother John he says, “they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.”  What could account for their radical response?

Fishing was how these men provided for their families and themselves.  They left it all behind to follow Jesus and become fishers of men.  They didn’t consider the consequences, they just left it all behind.  I wonder how I would have responded in that moment.  Would I have been a half-stepper?

We see what following meant to Jesus, Mark, Simon, Andrew, James, and John.  As we reflect on their responses, allow me to make an observation.  

There is no form of Jesus following where He is the window dressing to the plans we have to build our own kingdoms.  

I don’t mean this to sound preachy or harsh.   When Jesus said to follow him, he meant laying down our own way in exchange for observing his commands with swift obedience.  

Jesus clarifies confusion around this topic by saying,

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!”  (Matthew 7:21–23)

People believed that they merited right standing with God and entrance to heaven through religious practices rather than a relationship.   Jesus is saying that a life of half-stepping his commands has eternal consequences.  Let us consecrate ourselves by God’s grace to never settle for temporary, lesser, earthly kingdoms.  

The news that Jesus shared and his invitation are no less incredible today than they were back then.  We get to live under the sovereign rule of God the very moment we repent, believe, and follow Jesus.   Our future is then determined by God’s certain and awesome plan for our lives, not disease, gas shortages, social unrest or any other cultural or personal challenge.  

Today is our day.  The time is fulfilled for certainty to replace uncertainty.  Jesus invites us to repent, believe, and follow.  When we see each other in heaven, let us remember that Jesus gave us the invitation of a lifetime to join his coming Kingdom and to let him make us fishers of men.  A sure and certain invitation that we moved with a purpose to follow!

How We Gain Certainty In An Uncertain World:

Realize that Jesus ushered in God’s Kingdom on earth.  We can join God’s Kingdom now when we…

Repent. Acknowledge that we are loved sinners, turn away from our sin, and turn to Jesus for forgiveness and reconciliation with God the Father.  

Believe (in Christ’s death and resurrection): Jesus’ offer of forgiveness is to those who believe and go “all-in” for the Jesus way.

Follow Jesus alone.

Fish for men. Allow Jesus to lead you in loving your neighbors, friends, and coworkers and learn how to lovingly share the reason for the hope and certainty that you have.  Thankfully, we don’t have to fish alone.

We need each other to follow faithfully.  I’m thankful for the friends and coaches who hold me accountable, push me to move with a purpose, and avoid the sleepy drone of half-step Jesus following.

Reach out to us here for more information on ways you can begin to pattern after Jesus and make your life count for all of eternity.