We live in a messed up world of performance, “man-up” exhaustion, and men who can’t seem to “get it right”.
Jesus talked much about being servants and what it means to lay down our life, to give ourselves to each other in the presence of his Father and the other kids of the Kingdom for the sheer joy of it. His promise is that Jesus, His Father, and the Wonder Working Holy Spirit will make us alive. I’m in! 100% in!
But what I’m not good with is how much of what Jesus said gets turned into another life-draining formula or performance. I want to hear “well done, good and faithful servant” as much as the next brother, but I’m not good with being an empty shell of a guy to get there. I guess I’m tired of being manipulated.
After Jesus taught his disciples about being servants and just before he gave them the most magnificent personal example of it, he said: “No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.” (Jn 15:15-17 ESV).
So why is the primary matrix by which most Christians understand our relationship with God – Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit – that of Servant? Could it be, in our brokenness, it is easier to accept an identity as servant prodigals returning from the swill and the sty than it is to accept ourselves as sons of our Father? Could it be, like the prodigal, we do not believe our Father is really good, so good he will receive us again into the celebration of His life, His love, and His unending affection for us?
The challenge for men who follow Jesus Christ in the 21st century is NOT how to be better servants or more efficient and effective result-producing Christians. It is, in fact, whether we will let Jesus and His Father with the lovely Spirit of God who still breathes on the face of the deep make creation new – whether we will let THAT God make friends of us because he actually enjoys our presence as sons.
A son, a friend of Jesus, who because his identity is secure can lay down his life in service to the world, his family, the church and his brothers! Of that man we will say, “Oh how he loved us!”
by Wes Yoder, author of Bond of Brothers – Connecting with Other Men beyond Work, Weather and Sports.
4 Comments
Amen! I to am tired of being manipulated—even zapped with a cattle prod…ouch!
Jesus said “follow me!”
It is worthy of note that even ancient Greeks viewed true leadership as the ability to “turn the soul of a person to a noble purpose”. In fact one of the great military leaders Xenophon (430-354 BC) said “It is highly indicative of good leadership when people obey someone without coercion”. The leadership precepts of Xenophon and Jesus are virtually seamless. They both expected that followers could encounter danger, personal sacrifice, and even death—simply by following them. However, coercion or any hint of manipulating followers or exploiting their emotions to gain their loyalty or to simply complete an objective would be antithetical to their thinking.
So again I say Amen! Paul said to “imitate” (mimeomai) him as he imitated Christ. What we seem to have a deficiency of then, is “Christ followers” who are able to turn our souls toward a noble purpose. Well said Wes!
We are sons & friends if we receive him Jesus properly.God judges the hearts.Their are those who try to reform Jesus or try to manipulate him for themselves individually as well as in other sphers,to mislead others.The triune God is one always& forever.Always & forever.
Rightly dividing the Word of Truth is a biblical phrase & a book I recommend for anyone who is an honest seeker.It outlines various aspects of Christianity for a true understanding of God,& what is not of God in basics form.
If anyone manipulates you,it is because they have mislead you,or you don’t know better,or you’re just letting them for some reason.i have been most manipulated when I was living a compromising or lukewarm life as a believer & is my experience.