Scripture
32The teacher of religious law replied, “Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth by saying that there is only one God and no other…34Realizing how much the man understood, Jesus said to him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” And after that, no one dared to ask him any more questions. Mark 12:32,34
Observation
In contrast to the other religious leaders who were there to “trap Jesus into saying something for which he could be arrested”, verse 28 introduces us to a nameless teacher of religious law who was spiritually open to Jesus. “One of the teachers of religious law was standing there listening to the debate. He realized that Jesus had answered well, so he asked, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” Jesus engages him, sees his hunger for truth and his willingness to learn even though he is a teacher. Jesus meets him right at the border of doubt and belief, religion and relationship, life and death, the kingdom of this world and the Kingdom of God.
Application
It would be easy to look at the low numbers in the American church and get discouraged. Yet, Barna research is revealing that there is a new spiritual openness in this generation.
-3 out of 4 Americans are spiritually open
-44% say they’re more open to God today than they were before the Pandemic.
-60% of Millennials and Gen Z are open
-84% of Americans are open to the possibility that God exists.
After 25,000 interviews in 26 countries and 14 different languages Barna named this “The Open Generation.” Like the teacher of religious law who was having a sincere conversation with Jesus and was “not far from the Kingdom of God” these stats reveal we have a generation living on the border. This is where we are called to set up camp, but it’s not comfortable. It would be much easier to stay with what we know and who we know. It would be much easier to stay with those who are like us and like us. It would be much easier to dwell among those who have the same political positions we do. In fact, our politics are one of the primary reasons the “spiritually open” don’t go to church to have spiritual conversations. Barna found 51% of U.S. teens and adults completely agree with the statement “I prefer to distance myself from the politics of the Church.” Instead of trying to convince others to vote my way in the kingdoms of this world, I should be telling them about the Kingdom of my God. Jesus was able to meet people on both sides of the political spectrum and in fact made them His disciples- Matthew worked for the government and Simon the Zealot wanted to tear it all down. Jesus met them both at the border of their belief and called them to follow Him, seeing life from a different perspective. Who wants to have a conversation with someone who makes it clear they hate you and everything you stand for? Yet, this is largely what Christians are known for- what we are against than what we are for.
Prayer
Lord, I spent this morning in the Sheriff’s department making myself available to those who were there for talk or prayer. I’m not sure how long it’s going to take for them to trust and open up, but I’m setting up camp at this borderland. The level of degradation and depravity these deputies see day in and day out is no doubt bringing up questions about life, death and everything in between. I want to be there for them as much as I can be. Thank you for the reminder that people aren’t projects and that I can’t push people over the border from doubt to belief. Jesus, You didn’t do it with this religious leader and I can’t force someone to choose You. I just need to make myself available for these borderland conversations and trust You to do the rest. Give me patience for these conversations.
Comments