Jesus admirers versus Jesus followers: Part 1

Lately I've noticed that the majority of Christians are Jesus admirers rather than Jesus followers. From the very beginning this was the case.

On Sunday we will read from Mark 10:35-45. In this episode, Jesus has just finished his third seminar on the cross, he says, "I'm going to die a brutal death on the cross." James and John, "That's nice. We've been meanign to ask you something. Could you do something for us?" Outrageous!

That's like someone saying to me, "I'm entering hospice. The doctors say I have less than a week to live." Me, "Sorry to hear about that. Too bad. But before that happens, if it's not too much trouble, could you do me a favor?"

James and John covet the places of honor at the "glory banquet", sitting to the right and left of Jesus the "superstar". Irony. Soon Jesus will be stapled to a tree, anything but a superstar. To his right and to his left, two other pathetic losers hammered onto splintered planks." No wonder Jesus says, "You don't know what you're asking. You don't get it!" Duh!

What we have here is this: James and John admire Jesus, but they're not yet following Jesus. Mark's Gospel invites us to transformation from Jesus admiring to Jesus following. Consider the contrast between the two.

Jesus admirers: give away their left overs (= what they don't really want).
Jesus followers: give away their first fruits (= their very best).

Jesus admirers: run from trouble.
Jesus followers: work through trouble.

Jesus admirers: hard hearts (=harsh towards others), soft feet (= avoid serving when they might get hurt)
Jesus followers: soft hearts (= tender towards others), hard feet (= tough, willing to serve under brutal conditions)

Jesus admirers: complain that the church isn't perfect.
Jesus followers: don't expect the church to be perfect and love it anyway.

Enough for now. More to come.

Peace,

Duh-sciple Tim
[who is still on the journey from admiring to following]