Radical ministry
by Pastor Stephen Abraham
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‘Another disciple said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father”. But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead”’ (Matthew 8:21,22).
When I was training to be a pastor, I was super blessed to go on a two-week Holy Land archaeological tour run by Dr Peter and Helen Lockwood. I’m not exaggerating when I say it was life-changing!
We visited so many archaeological sites all over Israel showing the history, geography and even climate science that underlies so many biblical accounts.
Just as an aside, I prefer not to use the phrase ‘Bible stories’. New Atheists like to use that phrase synonymously with ‘fairytales’. What we read in Scripture isn’t a bedtime story. These are historical accounts of real people and places in history!
We visited an archaeological dig that modern scholars regard as the Apostle Peter’s house in Capernaum (feel free to google that one!). This was one of the bases of Jesus’ ministry, and over the decades, it went from a simple home to an early house-church to large worship centre! On our tour, we also went across Lake Galilee by boat. We ate fish caught from the lake!
There are so many times in my ministry I have referred to all I learnt from those two weeks. But something was missing that I didn’t see. I didn’t see healings; I didn’t see demons exorcised. I had a warm bed to sleep in every night, and I came home to loved ones waiting for me!
None of what we did on that trip was as radical as Jesus’ earthly ministry: miracles of healing and exorcism! Being in an itinerant ministry and not having a bed to sleep in! Following Jesus and not being able to even bury your father.
In Matthew, Jesus’ ministry begins with amazing teaching in chapters 5 to 7. It was radical teaching for the time – extreme and even offensive to those hearing it. It was urgent, uncompromising and challenging. And in Matthew’s gospel, that pace and urgency rarely abates; the way Jesus lived was no less radical. As we read through Matthew, we learn that being a follower of Jesus involves self-denial, service, suffering, persecution, and perhaps even death.
As someone who lives in the wealthiest country in our region of the globe, it makes me call into question how I live as a disciple of Jesus. Could I live like that? Is that how uncompromising my life should be as a follower of Jesus?
And I think that that is exactly what Matthew’s gospel wants us to do – to question how seriously we take our faith. Now, not all of us are called to drop everything and be an itinerant preacher. But we can drop everything and financially support those who do. We can visit the sick or start a new ministry. We can replace that overseas holiday with a mission trip.
Matthew’s account reminds us of the seriousness of our baptised life. Following Jesus means letting go of the comforts of this world – home, wealth or even family. Remember that with material things, at the end of your life, you can’t take it with you! But there is something you can go with: others you’ve ministered to with the life-changing love of Jesus!
Being a disciple is radical, life-changing stuff. Amen, Jesus! Lead the way.
Lord Jesus, your earthly ministry was so uncompromising and powerful. As you taught your disciples, teach me. Challenge me. Help me take stock of my life. Reveal to me where you would have me serve. Lead me to new paths of discipleship. Call me, Lord Jesus. I am ready to follow. Amen.
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