Readings for today: 2 Kings 22-23, 2 Chronicles 33-34
“This is the way.” When Star Wars fans hear this phrase, they immediately think of the Mandalorian. When Christians hear this phrase, they most likely think of Jesus. In John 14:6, Jesus says, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father but through Me.” Throughout the Gospels, Jesus makes it clear that He isn’t just preaching to the head or to the heart but to the whole person. He is offering not just another ethical system or abstract philosophy or a different take on theology. What He is offering is a radical shift in how “live, move, and have our being” in this world. This is nothing new by the way. It’s actually been God’s plan all along. Ever since He delivered them out of slavery in Egypt, God has set His people apart. He calls them to a different way of believing, a different way of feeling, a different way of acting, and ultimately, a different way of living.
Consider what we just read today about King Josiah. Here’s a man who loves God with all His heart but he is the descendent of many rulers in Israel who wanted to live just like the nations around them. This is why we see so many different altars to so many different gods in the different towns, villages, and cities of Judah. They have compromised their faith. They have syncretized their belief systems with those of the pagan tribes and nations around them. It wasn’t that they stopped worshipping Yahweh, they simply layered in the worship of additional gods and goddesses along the way. In so doing, they lost their distinctiveness. They lost their exceptionalism. They broke faith with the covenant their ancestors had once made. Even at a young age, Josiah discerns the truth. He sees their divided hearts. He understands the judgment that is coming. And he does everything humanly possible to turn the tide. To bring God’s people back to true worship and a right relationship with Him. Tragically, it’s not enough.
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with many different churches, many of which were struggling for survival. I’ve had the privilege of working with many different pastors, many of whom were discouraged and defeated. I’ve had the privilege of working with many different lay leaders, many of whom were anxious and afraid and worried about the future. All of them believe in the Truth of Jesus. All of them have tasted the Life of Jesus. Most of them, however, do not follow the Way of Jesus. They do not trust His ways over their own ways. His thoughts over their own thoughts. His wisdom over their own wisdom. They believe the Way Jesus went about His ministry is obsolete. Irrelevant in today’s world. Instead, they seek guidance from the current cultural trends. They seek comfort in the traditions of their past. They seek to adopt the best business and organizational leadership models of the world. Sadly, the results speak for themselves. Almost 40% of pastors expressing a desire to quit ministry. A significant percentage of church leaders crashing and burning due to moral failure. 80% - by some estimates - of churches plateaued and/or declining. A significant number of churches paralyzed by conflict or the inability to manage complex change. Church attendance dropping each year at an alarming rate. The rapid rise of the “nones” and/or the “deconstruction” movement due to the prevalence of abuse (spiritually, relationally, sexually, etc.), disappointment, discouragement, frustration, and a host of other factors. Without a doubt, the church in the West is experiencing significant decline across the board and most of it is due - in my estimation - to the fact that we continue to take the Way of Jesus seriously enough to orient our entire budget, programming, worship, and mission accordingly.
Imagine what could happen if pastors understood their primary role as discipling their elders. Their “12” as it were. Imagine if board meetings were oriented around prayer and the study of God’s Word and the intentional seeking of the will of God. Imagine a church’s life built around mutual sacrifice rather than catering to generational and/or cultural preferences. Imagine a church creative enough to mine the depth and breadth of the Christian tradition for any number of spiritual practices to help people grow in their relationship with Christ. Imagine a church who sought Christ with their whole heart, mind, and strength. This is what our world so desperately needs and it is what God promises to honor if we will simply submit our ways to Him.
Readings for tomorrow: None