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Welcome Back! Today, we’ll be looking at the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke to see how Jesus handled the capacity issues all aggressive disciple-makers will encounter.

So let’s dive in.

(Click here to get a copy of the Gospel Sync document) 

Matthew 8:28–34, Mark 5:1–20, Luke 8:26–39

When they sailed to the other side of the sea of Galilee, they arrived in the region of the Gerasenes (Gadarenes). As soon as Jesus got out of the boat and stepped ashore, He was met by two men with unclean spirits. These demon-possessed men came from the town. These men had been living in the tombs and had not worn clothing or lived in a house for a long time. Many times it had seized them, though they were often bound with chains and shackles. They had broken the chains and shattered the shackles and they could no longer be restrained and the demon drove them into solitary places. They were so violent, no one with the strength could subdue them or pass that way. Night and day in the tombs and in the mountains they kept crying out and cutting themselves with stones.

When they saw Jesus from a distance, they ran and fell on their knees before Him. And one shouted in a loud voice, “What do You want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? “Have You come here to torture us before the appointed time?” I beg You before God not to torture us!” For Jesus had already declared and commanded the unclean spirit, “Come out of these men, you unclean spirit!”

Jesus asked, “What is your name?” He replied, “My name is Legion, for we are many” (because many demons had gone into them). And the demons begged Jesus repeatedly not to send them out of that region or order them to go into the Abyss.

In the distance on a nearby hillside a large herd of pigs was feeding. So the demons begged Jesus, “If You drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs so that we may enter them.” He gave them permission and said “Go!” So the unclean spirits came out of the men and went into the pigs, and the whole herd (about two thousand) rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the waters.

When those tending the pigs saw what had happened, they ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, including the account of the demon-possessed men. So the whole town went out to meet Jesus and to see what had happened.

When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons sitting at Jesus’ feet, clothed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. Meanwhile, those who had seen it described what had happened to the demon-possessed men and how they had been healed and also to the pigs. Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes begged Jesus to depart from them, because great fear had taken hold of them. So He got into the boat and started back.

But as He was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed by the demons begged to go with Jesus. But Jesus would not allow him, but He sent him away, saying, “Go home to your own people,” He said, “and tell them how much the Lord God has done for you, and what mercy He has shown you.” So the man went away and began to proclaim throughout all Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And everyone was amazed.

My Thoughts 

There are several directions I’d love to head with this story. One is the difference we see in the Gospels between one or two demoniacs. Here’s a link to a good article on that. Or another is the overwhelming authority Jesus has over Satan and his minions. Here’s another article. But, what I would rather do is address a very common phenomena that all aggressive disciple-makers will eventually encounter but no one talks about; Jesus did not let the demoniac follow Him.

Wait!? What!? Jesus didn’t let a guy who was begging to be His disciple follow Him!? I thought we are supposed to disciple everyone we lead to Christ? In fact I’ve heard people say they quit sharing the gospel because they had so many people they were discipling, they couldn’t even take on one more. Discipling everyone you share the gospel with can become a capacity issue.

And that’s probably one of the reasons Jesus sent the man away to share his testimony with his family and friends; there was no room in the boat. After Jesus chose twelve, twelve it was. Not thirteen or fourteen. It was twelve for the duration of His ministry. Yes, we see the 70 (Luke 10:1) and the 500 (1 Corinthians 15:6) and even 5000 (John 6:1-14) but the twelve were His focus as the leadership cadre for the future. Jesus didn’t let sentiment or pastoral compassion get in the way of a strategic investment in a few. And remember, nobody loves people like Jesus. So we can’t say this selection of a few was mean or unloving. These men were given to Jesus by the Father (John 17:3) for the sake of concentrated leadership development in order to multiply His disciples and advance His kingdom.

And if we stay at it and persevere in sharing the gospel and follow up with those we lead to Christ, or recruit existing believers who are hungry for discipleship, we’ll eventually run into the same capacity problem. Do we stop sharing the gospel? No way! Jesus didn’t. He led a guy into the kingdom as He breathed His last on the cross. No, but we do need to know what our limits are for intentional relational follow-up in order to maintain our potency with the few God has given us to disciple and not sink the boat while we are at it. 

When our boat is full, we need to adopt a “catch and release” evangelism plan like Jesus did. “Catch and Release” refers to what fishermen do when they catch a fish and for various reasons they release it back in the water. For us as “Fishers of Men” we may catch a fish and for various reasons release them to the Holy Spirit. Keep sharing the gospel but if your boat is full don’t feel guilty about not discipling everyone you see.

My Story

I’ve told the story about how Deb and I recently led some young soldiers to Christ when we were sharing the gospel at Fort Sam Houston. We did some basic follow-up with the guys but very quickly realized we had bit off more than we could chew. We have a church in our home, a couple of online churches and are discipling a dozen people both locally and globally. We were maxed out! 

When the soldiers graduated from the combat medics course, they were reassigned to various Army posts around the country. We did our best to connect them with other disciple-makers at the location they were being stationed and then let them go. Had our “boat” not been full, we would probably have started a Zoom Church with them. But we recognized we were beyond our capacity and decided to practice “catch and release” evangelism. It took a lot of discipline because we had grown to love the four medics dearly, but for the sake of all the other leaders we were investing in, we had to let them go. 

Jesus has got them. We fully anticipate hearing the great things the Lord has done with them and through them, either in this life or the next. And as we speak, Deb and I are headed back to Fort Sam to share the gospel with some more soldiers. 🙂

Our Action Plan

Now we’ll look at some ideas on how to help us as disciple-makers keep sharing the gospel even though our boats are full.

• Do an in depth study of why and how Jesus selected the 12 with those you are discipling
• Do an in depth study of why and how the Apostle Paul selected his few future leaders
• Answer the question; “How do you help the many but train a few?”

Jesus modeled a strategic approach to evangelism and discipleship, focusing intensively on a select few while still sharing the gospel widely. As disciple-makers, we can follow His example by continuing to share the good news boldly, while recognizing our capacity limits and entrusting new believers to God’s care when our “boat” is full.

Index for all posts in the Gospel Sync Series

Evangelismo de Atrapar y Liberar – #83

¡Bienvenido! Hoy, veremos los Evangelios de Mateo, Marcos y Lucas para ver cómo Jesús manejó los problemas de capacidad que encontrarán todos los hacedores de discípulos agresivos.

Así que comencemos

Mateo 8:28–34, Marcos 5:1–20, Lucas 8:26–39

Vinieron al otro lado del mar, a la región de los gadarenos. Y cuando salió él de la barca, en seguida vino a su encuentro, de los sepulcros, un hombre con un espíritu inmundo,  que tenía su morada en los sepulcros, y nadie podía atarle, ni aun con cadenas.  Porque muchas veces había sido atado con grillos y cadenas, mas las cadenas habían sido hechas pedazos por él, y desmenuzados los grillos; y nadie le podía dominar.  Y siempre, de día y de noche, andaba dando voces en los montes y en los sepulcros, e hiriéndose con piedras.

Cuando vio, pues, a Jesús de lejos, corrió, y se arrodilló ante él.  Y clamando a gran voz, dijo: ¿Qué tienes conmigo, Jesús, Hijo del Dios Altísimo? Te conjuro por Dios que no me atormentes.  Porque le decía: Sal de este hombre, espíritu inmundo. 

Y le preguntó: ¿Cómo te llamas? Y respondió diciendo: Legión me llamo; porque somos muchos.  Y le rogaba mucho que no los enviase fuera de aquella región.  Estaba allí cerca del monte un gran hato de cerdos paciendo.  Y le rogaron todos los demonios, diciendo: Envíanos a los cerdos para que entremos en ellos.  Y luego Jesús les dio permiso. Y saliendo aquellos espíritus inmundos, entraron en los cerdos, los cuales eran como dos mil; y el hato se precipitó en el mar por un despeñadero, y en el mar se ahogaron.

Cuando los que cuidaban a los cerdos vieron lo que había sucedido, huyeron y lo informaron en la ciudad y el campo, incluido el relato de los hombres poseídos por demonios. Así que toda la ciudad salió al encuentro de Jesús y a ver lo que había sucedido.

Vienen a Jesús, y ven al que había sido atormentado del demonio, y que había tenido la legión, sentado, vestido y en su juicio cabal; y tuvieron miedo. Y les contaron los que lo habían visto, cómo le había acontecido al que había tenido el demonio, y lo de los cerdos.  Y comenzaron a rogarle que se fuera de sus contornos.

Al entrar él en la barca, el que había estado endemoniado le rogaba que le dejase estar con él.  Mas Jesús no se lo permitió, sino que le dijo: Vete a tu casa, a los tuyos, y cuéntales cuán grandes cosas el Señor ha hecho contigo, y cómo ha tenido misericordia de ti.  Y se fue, y comenzó a publicar en Decápolis cuán grandes cosas había hecho Jesús con él; y todos se maravillaban.

Mis Pensamientos 

Hay varias direcciones que me encantaría tomar con esta historia. Una es la diferencia que vemos en los Evangelios entre uno o dos endemoniados. Aquí hay un enlace a un buen artículo sobre eso. Otra es la abrumadora autoridad que Jesús tiene sobre Satanás y sus secuaces. Aquí hay otro artículo. Pero lo que preferiría hacer es abordar un fenómeno muy común que todos los hacedores de discípulos agresivos eventualmente encontrarán, pero del que nadie habla; Jesús no permitió que el endemoniado lo siguiera.

¿¡Espera!? ¿¡Qué!? ¿¡Jesús no permitió que un tipo que rogaba ser su discípulo lo siguiera!? ¿Pensé que se suponía que debíamos discipular a todos los que conducimos a Cristo? De hecho, he escuchado a personas decir que dejaron de compartir el evangelio porque tenían tantas personas a las que estaban discipulando, que ni siquiera podían aceptar una más. Discipular a todas las personas con las que compartes el Evangelio puede convertirse en un problema de capacidad.

Y esa es probablemente una de las razones por las que Jesús envió al hombre a compartir su testimonio con su familia y amigos; no había espacio en el bote. Después de que Jesús eligió doce, fueron doce. No trece o catorce. Fueron doce durante la duración de su ministerio. Sí, vemos los 70 (Lucas 10:1) y los 500 (1 Corintios 15:6) e incluso los 5000 (Juan 6:1-14), pero los doce eran Su enfoque como un cuadro de liderazgo para el futuro. Jesús no permitió que el sentimiento o la compasión pastoral se interpusieran en el camino de una inversión estratégica en unos pocos. Y recuerda, nadie ama a las personas como Jesús. Así que no podemos decir que esta selección de unos pocos fuera mala o poco amorosa. Estos hombres fueron entregados a Jesús por el Padre (Juan 17:3) con el fin de concentrar el desarrollo del liderazgo con el fin de multiplicar a sus discípulos y hacer avanzar su reino.

Y si nos mantenemos firmes y perseveramos en compartir el evangelio y hacemos un seguimiento de aquellos a quienes guiamos a Cristo, o reclutamos creyentes existentes que están hambrientos de discipulado, eventualmente nos encontraremos con el mismo problema de capacidad. ¿Dejamos de compartir el evangelio? ¡No es posible! Jesús no lo hizo. Él guió a un hombre al reino mientras exhalaba su último aliento en la cruz. No, pero sí necesitamos saber cuáles son nuestros límites para el seguimiento relacional intencional con el fin de mantener nuestra potencia con los pocos que Dios nos ha dado para discipular y no hundir el barco mientras estamos en ello.

Cuando nuestro barco está lleno, debemos adoptar un plan de evangelismo de “atrapar y liberar” como lo hizo Jesús. “Atrapar y Liberar” se refiere a lo que hacen los pescadores cuando capturan un pez y por diversas razones lo dejan ir de nuevo al agua. Para nosotros, como “pescadores de hombres”, podemos pescar un pez y, por diversas razones, liberarlo al Espíritu Santo. Sigue compartiendo el evangelio, pero si tu barco está lleno, no te sientas culpable por no discipular a todos los que veas.

Mi Historia

He contado la historia de cómo Deb y yo recientemente guiamos a algunos jóvenes soldados a Cristo cuando compartíamos el evangelio en Fort Sam Houston. Hicimos un seguimiento básico con los chicos, pero muy rápidamente nos dimos cuenta de que habíamos mordido más de lo que podíamos masticar. Tenemos una iglesia en nuestra casa, un par de iglesias en línea y estamos discipulando a una docena de personas tanto a nivel local como global. ¡Estábamos al máximo!

Cuando los soldados se graduaron del curso de médicos de combate, fueron reasignados a varios puestos del Ejército en todo el país. Hicimos todo lo posible para conectarlos con otros hacedores de discípulos en el lugar donde estaban estacionados y luego los dejamos ir. Si nuestro “bote” no hubiera estado lleno, probablemente habríamos comenzado una iglesia Zoom con ellos. Pero reconocimos que estábamos más allá de nuestra capacidad y decidimos practicar el evangelismo de “atrapar y liberar”. Se necesitó mucha disciplina porque habíamos llegado a amar mucho a los cuatro médicos, pero por el bien de todos los demás líderes en los que estábamos invirtiendo, tuvimos que dejarlos ir.

Jesús los tiene. Esperamos escuchar las grandes cosas que el Señor ha hecho con ellos y por medio de ellos, ya sea en esta vida o en la próxima. Y mientras hablamos, Deb y yo nos dirigimos de regreso a Fort Sam para compartir el evangelio con algunos soldados más. 🙂

Nuestro Plan de Acción

Ahora veremos algunas ideas sobre cómo ayudarnos como hacedores de discípulos a seguir compartiendo el evangelio a pesar de que nuestros barcos están llenos.

• Hacer un estudio profundo de por qué y cómo Jesús seleccionó a los 12 con aquellos a quienes está discipulando
•  Estudiar a fondo por qué y cómo el apóstol Pablo seleccionó a sus pocos futuros líderes
• Responde a la pregunta: “¿Cómo ayudas a muchos pero entrenas a unos pocos?” 

Jesús modeló un enfoque estratégico para el evangelismo y el discipulado, centrándose intensamente en unos pocos elegidos sin dejar de compartir el evangelio ampliamente. Como hacedores de discípulos, podemos seguir su ejemplo al continuar compartiendo las buenas nuevas con valentía, mientras reconocemos nuestros límites de capacidad y confiamos a los nuevos creyentes al cuidado de Dios cuando nuestro “bote” está lleno.

Traducción de Norma Klingler

The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.

Proverbs 16:9

Call to Arms

In a cramped Martian hab-unit on the outskirts of Nopylen colony, Wade Winston Kovacs, a scrawny 15-year-old with wide blue eyes, hunches over a holographic projector. Sunlight filters weakly through the dust-streaked window, casting long shadows across the room. Wade dialed up the news feeds he had watched fifty times in the last week displaying brutal interstellar battles.

The holographic projection crackled with electric whine as Wade leaned closer, mesmerized by the scene flickering to life mere inches from his face. This latest model incorporated cutting-edge sensory tech, bringing the battle to life with startling realism. Micro air jets simulated explosive shockwaves, while olfactory modules released the acrid scent of scorched metal. Targeted infrared emitters even replicated the searing heat of plasma bursts, making Wade flinch instinctively.

The video revealed streaks of scorching plasma lanced across the battered hull of the Colonial battlecruiser Intrepid, leaving trails of molten scars. The ship’s shields pulsed with a fierce orange glow, strained to the limit as they repelled the relentless assault. Shockwaves rippled outward in concentric rings with each deafening impact, the overwhelming roar seeming to buffet Wade’s slender frame.

He could taste the acrid tang of burnt metal as sleek, emerald-hued Skravak missiles screamed towards their target, carving a deadly path through the inky blackness. The first volley slammed into the Intrepid’s flank with a blinding detonation that momentarily whited out the image.

When Wade’s vision cleared, his eyes widened in horror. Six gaping holes marred the side of the massive ship, spewing plumes of superheated atmosphere and debris. Tiny figures, men and machines alike, were ejected into the void like shrapnel in the blink of an eye.

The merciless barrage showed no signs of letting up. Fresh waves of missiles converged on the crippled warship from all directions. Blinding beams of plasma seared across Wade’s retinas as the Intrepid’s reactor overloaded in a single, earth-shattering explosion.

The blast wave surged outward with ferocious violence, whipping Wade’s hair back even through the projector’s shimmering static. All that remained in the endless void was a dissipating cloud of gas and twisted metal debris tumbling into oblivion.

Wade inhaled a ragged gasp as the projector sputtered and switched to the next scene with a burst of static. His senses were instantly bombarded by a cacophony of whipcrack concussions of superheated plasma bolts and electrifying buzz from static discharges ricocheting and whizzing past the shaky camera lens.

An armored Marine regular, his face obscured by an amber-tinted visor, charged through a war-torn cityscape on Epsilon Eridani IV. Flames licked at the gutted remains of towering ferrocrete buildings, their skeletons leaning precariously at sharp angles amidst swirling black smoke and dust. Snatches of pale sunlight pierced through the devastation, filtering in like bloody blades.

Up ahead, two crumpled Marine bodies lay motionless on the ground, one a horrifying mass of shredded flesh with legs mangled beyond recognition. The Marine pushed the corpses aside with a sickening thud, his armored bulk surging forward with surprising agility.

That’s when it emerged from the rubble – a terrifying, skeletal figure with crimson eyes devoid of pupils. Its wiry, insectoid limbs propelled it forward with an unsettling, almost liquid-like gait.

A Skravak warrior. Its gaping maw displayed a disturbing array of razor-sharp teeth. Jagged bony ridges and calcified horns framed this rictus grin of pure malice as it launched itself at the camera with terrifying speed, a frenzy of hooked talons flashing in the dim light.

Wade flinched as the Marine unloaded his plasma rifle directly into the onrushing horror. Scorched flesh seared from the Skravak’s exoskeleton in blackened chunks, yet it seemed impervious to the onslaught, driven forward by a monstrous determination. The closer it came, the more the Marine’s shots were hitting their mark.

Then, with a sickening crunch, the skeletal monstrosity collapsed to the street. It’s forward momentum left a black trail of blood streaked on the pavement. As the creature collided with the Marine, obscuring the camera view in a swirling storm of appendages and gnashing teeth, Wade recoiled. For several seconds there was an uncomfortable silence, broken only by the soft hiss of static dancing across the obscured camera which lay completely dark. Then, to Wade’s great amazement and relief, the Marine unburied himself from the lifeless alien and stood to his feet.

Slumping back, Wade gulped desperately for air, the stale air of the colony hab-unit burning in his lungs. The Skravak’s horrifying visage remained etched in his mind – a chilling reminder of the alien menace lurking beyond humanity’s fragile grasp.

Finally, the victor’s image flickered into view – Wade caught a glimpse of the insignia on the Marine’s armor. A blue and green shield crossed by a red lightning bolt with a white sun and star in opposite quadrants. This was no Marine Regular. This trooper was a legendary Deep Space Ranger. Wade felt a spark ignite within him as he locked eyes with the emblem. Every hardship and sacrifice endured by the Rangers became a tangible legacy, a lineage connecting with his soul.

Obsession’s Grip

The emblem seemed to thrum with a faint, golden light, casting an ember-like glow on Wade’s features. In that moment, a burning resolve crystallized within him. He wouldn’t be a passive observer, cowering in the shadows while humanity fought for its survival on some dusty Martian colony. This was his calling, his chance to join the ranks of those who carved humanity’s destiny among the stars, no matter the cost.

Watching the news feeds this time didn’t elicit fear, but a cold defiance that hardened in his gut. Humanity wouldn’t be cowed into extinction. Not while he and others like him stood ready to fight alongside the Rangers, the elite vanguard leading the charge against the horrors that lurked in the vast expanse of space.

Fists clenched, his newfound purpose surged through him like a white-hot fire. He would achieve the impossible. He would become one of those legendary, deathless guardians, or die trying.

Over the next few months, Wade became consumed by the lore and tactics of the Deep Space Rangers. His cramped quarters morphed into a shrine dedicated to their operations. Every square inch was plastered with tactical diagrams, alien creature profiles, reconnaissance photos, and historical reports. He haunted the colony’s data archives with an obsessive fervor, downloading and cross-referencing terabytes of intel on Ranger deployments until his personal terminal strained under the sheer volume of information. This virtual world of battle reports and declassified missions became his lifeblood.

He devoured details of the Rangers’ initiation gauntlet – a grueling 9-month training program that separated the elite few from the countless washouts and broken souls who dared to try. From enduring vacuum exposure tests to mastering zero-gravity combat and boarding actions, Wade absorbed every detail of the excruciating phases into his memory.

The Ranger Heritage

The Deep Space Rangers were the ultimate warriors, their roles encompassing the full spectrum of interstellar operations. They were the wardens of the infinite blackness, venturing far beyond humanity’s farthest outposts to confront unknown threats. While Marine Regulars defended established colonies, the Rangers undertook the most perilous reconnaissance missions and daring raids, striking directly into the heart of hostile alien territories.

All special operations units had long since vanished with the Military Consolidation Act of 2362. The military forces of the Interstellar Sovereign Confederation underwent significant restructuring to enhance efficiency and adapt to interstellar warfare. Inspired by the United States military, key changes included integrating naval, air, and space forces into a unified Interstellar Navy and replacing the Army with an expanded Interstellar Marine Corps. All special operations units from the 22nd century like the Navy SEALs, Delta Force, Green Berets, SAS, Spetsnaz, Sayeret Matkal, and Airborne Rangers were consumed into one elite fighting force called the Deep Space Rangers under command and control of the Marine Corps.

The newly formed Deep Space Ranger Regiments inherited their name through a rich lineage steeped in exploration and frontier defense. The term “Ranger” itself boasts a diverse etymology, tracing its roots back to the Old French word “ranger,” signifying “to arrange or set in order.” Initially, Rangers were individuals tasked with maintaining order and managing vast swathes of land.

In England, Rangers patrolled the royal forests, safeguarding wildlife and ensuring the health of game populations. Their expertise honed their skills in tracking and hunting, vital for survival in the wild. Similarly, Scottish Rangers upheld law and order in rural regions, fostering peaceful communities amidst the untamed wilderness. Across the Atlantic, European colonists in North America adopted the term for skilled woodsmen who navigated the treacherous landscapes, protecting fledgling settlements from the dangers of the frontier.

This tradition of wilderness expertise continued from the 18th to the 22nd centuries, with groups like Rogers’ Rangers, Mosby’s Rangers, various Ranger Battalions during World War II, Ranger Companies during Korea and Vietnam, and the 75th Ranger Regiment employing similar tactics of reconnaissance, raiding, and survival in unforgiving environments. Now these elite Marines were the ultimate hybrid of spartan like warrior, scientist, and pioneer. The Rangers of the Interstellar Sovereign Confederation, tasked with safeguarding the frontiers of human civilization amongst the stars, carry this legacy with pride.

A Father’s Lament

Wade knew simply memorizing data wouldn’t secure his place among these legendary beings. Over the following weeks, he pushed his body and mind to their absolute limits with a borderline-psychotic training regimen.

Pre-dawn calisthenics and parkour drills became a daily ritual, his lanky frame slowly hardening with muscle. He pounded the ochre dunes ten kilometers beyond the Nopylen perimeter every evening, a desperate attempt to condition his lungs to the thin Martian air that left him dizzy and nauseated.

No sacrifice felt too extravagant. His entire being became dedicated to forging himself into the perfect instrument of Ranger capability. He devoured advanced courses in astrophysics, Skrav-linguistics, advanced first aid, and cryptanalysis – anything that could give him an edge. Sleep became a luxury he could ill-afford, his mind and body a crucible fueled by unwavering determination. Even meals were meticulously optimized for maximum efficiency, every bite a calculated step towards his singular goal.

His unwavering dedication wasn’t lost on his only remaining family – his father, Samuel. A former Colonial Marine Regular, Samuel had lost his leg and a part of himself fighting the Skravaks decades ago. The bitterness of those battles had calcified his spirit, leaving him deeply cynical towards military service.

One evening, as Wade prepped protein shakes between grueling workout sets, Samuel slammed his fist on the counter with a shocking crash. He eyed his son with anger and locked onto his son’s determined face etched with the marks of intense training.

“Don’t do this to yourself, son,” Samuel rasped, his voice rough with unspoken emotions. “This path… it’ll break you. It’ll turn you into a cold, empty shell. Is that what you want?”

Wade remained focused, his jaw set with unwavering resolve. He knew arguing with his father’s hardened cynicism was pointless.

“The Skravaks took your leg and almost everything else, Dad. I won’t let them steal humanity’s future among the stars. This is my choice.”

A long silence stretched between them, broken only by the soft whirring of Samuel’s cybernetic leg as its servos strained under the weight of his unspoken emotions. Finally, Samuel turned away, his shoulders slumped in defeat, and trudged back to his workbench with a resigned sigh.

“Just… be careful, son,” his voice came back, quieter this time, laced with a hint of paternal fear. “Those eyes… they hold a bottomless pit of malice. Don’t get lost staring into the abyss.”

Wade understood the cryptic warning. He knew the toll this life could take, the chilling numbness that could creep in over time, hardening a soldier’s heart against the horrors witnessed on countless battlefields. But for now, the prospect of joining the Rangers, of becoming a beacon of hope in humanity’s darkest hour, burned too brightly to be extinguished. Wade was young and idealistic. He would soon find that there was a kernel of truth in his dad’s harshness.

Unfolding Resolve

Finally, two weeks after his 17th birthday, the day came that Wade had been desperately seeking. The Deep Space Ranger recruitment shuttle touched down in the fading sunlight of Nopylen. A sharp series of bullhorn calls echoed through the streets, drawing a crowd of hopefuls to the landing pads. Wade was the first to shove his way to the front of the line, application data-slate clenched tightly in one hand, while his other fiddled nervously with the recruitment token. A look of intense, blazing determination burned behind Wade’s clear blue eyes as the stern-faced officer evaluators emerged from the armored shuttle craft and descended down its lowered ramp.

As the knot of recruits bunched closer together, the imposing figure of Lieutenant Darris Venn stepped forward, his tan Rangers’ beret cocked at a severe angle. Venn’s craggy features seemed even more intimidating thanks to the cybernetic implants surrounding his left eye.

The veteran officer slowly paced in front of the assembled young would-be Rangers, his gaze sweeping over them with blatant disdain. When his cybernetic eye fixed upon Wade at the front and his other eye awkwardly panned the crowd, the lieutenant paused, almost seeming to sneer. He snatched Wade’s data-slate from his hand and started to read.

“Well, well…Mister Kovacs,” Venn growled in a deep baritone accent. “According to your file, you’re just 17 years old, kid. I feel I’d be remiss if I didn’t remind you of just how soul-crushingly demanding the path to becoming a Ranger truly is. More than 80% of recruits wash out before they even reach the dropship insertion course, let alone Ranger training. And those are just the first steps.”

Wade swallowed hard but kept his chin raised, meeting Venn’s intense stare. “I understand the challenges I’ll face, sir. But I am ready – physically, mentally, and in every other way that matters. Becoming a Deep Space Ranger has been my calling, my sole purpose, for years now. All I ask is a chance to prove myself worthy.”

Venn’s cybernetic eye flashed as its scanner traced over Wade’s data readouts.

“Well, just as I thought – you’re a high school dropout. Right there, that’s already a major strike against you, son.”

Wade tensed but kept his voice measured and respectful.

“With all due respect, Lieutenant, my skills and areas of personal study go far beyond the standard academic curriculum. I’ve dedicated countless hours to astrophysics, Skravak-bio, survival and combat tactics – every field a prospective Ranger needs to master. My aptitude scores are off the charts. I can easily test out of any academic admission requirements.”

Venn’s craggy features twisted into an expression of profound skepticism.

“It’s not just about book smarts, maggot. We need disciplined, hard-baked marines who can follow orders, maintain attention to detail, and operate by the book to the highest standards in the most extreme conditions for weeks, even months at a time. The Rangers aren’t some school for dilettante thrill-seekers looking for kicks. You think way too highly of yourself boy!”

Wade’s jaw clenched, but before he could respond, Venn had already turned to move on down the line, his gravelly voice projecting out dismissively.

“Just another bright-eyed kid out for some glory and adventure. Thinks he’s got what it takes by watching a few training vids and–”

“Sir!”

The single barked word exploded out of Wade’s chest with enough intensity to cut Venn off mid-sentence. The lieutenant spun around, his implant flashing as every head in the grouped recruits snapped towards the source of the sudden outburst in shock. Wade could see the officer’s jaw tighten in anger at the interruption, but he had to make his case.

 “I’ve been preparing myself, body, soul, and mind for the last two years specifically for this chance to join the fight. You have my files, my scores, my accomplishments. I’m ready to prove my worth.”

For a long moment, Venn simply stared at Wade, as if weighing every fiber of the young man’s being. Finally, he gave the slightest nod.

“Very well, recruit. You’ll get your chance to prove yourself worthy of joining our ranks. But I promise you here and now, there is no place among the Deep Space Rangers for a man who can’t hack it.”

Wade matched Venn’s intense gaze, his voice firmly resolute.

“Then I will be that man, sir. I cannot fail.”

The lieutenant held the stare for a few more seconds before turning sharply and barking over his shoulder.

“Move your carcass to that sergeant on the ramp and report for intake protocol, Kovacs! You ship out at O5 hundred tomorrow, and from this moment your hide belongs to the Corps. We’ll see if you have what it takes, or if you just end up another washout.”

As Venn stormed off, Wade felt his heart pounding with anticipation. He ran at a double-time and handed his recruitment token to the sergeant. He had made it past the first crucible. Now the real challenges would begin. But he was determined to confront any trial, any hardship, to join the elite ranks of the Deep Space Rangers. For Wade, there was no other path – his destiny awaited among the stars, destroying an advancing enemy.

Failure was not an option.

Link to all Chapters – Text & Audio

NYC

 Mark and Megan are missionaries in New York City, actively engaged in their church’s exploration of the identity and purpose of the church. To connect with the community, they have been organizing outreach events centered around basketball and soccer.

Pray that Mark and Megan will find 4th Soil people to invest in and see the Kingdom of God advance in NYC.

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Team Japan

David (second from the top left) and his co-laborers are witnessing Japanese individuals coming to faith in Christ and being baptized almost weekly. If you are familiar with the gospel in Japan, you know this is nothing short of miraculous.

Please pray for more Japanese people to come to faith in Jesus and for the multiplication of disciples and churches.

David has developed a straightforward, Christ-centered approach to articulating our ministry philosophy, which he refers to as Vision, Posture, and Path. Below are a couple of videos that can help clarify our mission and the motivation behind our ministries.

• Introduction to Vision, Posture, and Path
• VPP Discovery Tool

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Latin America

Bob has mentored a missionary named Geo in Chile. He recently led a Gospel Conversation Training that is equipping new laborers to effectively share their faith. The training includes teaching participants how to present their testimonies in just 1-2 minutes, simulating real-life scenarios through a practice format reminiscent of “speed dating.” :) This approach introduces a bit of chaos and nervousness, mirroring what they might encounter in actual conversations. Participants benefit from multiple practice rounds, enhancing their confidence and skills.

Please pray for boldness among these new laborers and for them to connect with “fourth soil” people—those who are open and receptive to the Gospel message.

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 Our 40th Wedding Anniversary

Deb and I traveled to Anchorage, Alaska for a family reunion and to renew our wedding vows. This was the first “wedding” our grandkids had ever attended. Our sons and daughters-in-law went the extra mile to make the celebration one of our most cherished memories.

Please pray for their marriages, that they will experience the same faithfulness and joy that we have.

Prayer for September 2024

1. Praising God for saving us from our sins – Matthew 1:21
2. That we would help people find the real King – Matthew 2:2-3
3. That we would do “what is fitting to fulfill all righteousness” – Matthew 3:15
4. That we would fight temptation with the Word of God – Matthew 4:4,7,10
5. That we would be quick to reconcile conflict – Matthew 5:23-25
6. That we wouldn’t worry and trust God for tomorrow – Matthew 6:34
7. That we would be wise doers of the Word – Matthew 7:24
8. That we would trust in Jesus’ protection – Matthew 8:24
9. That we would diligently pray and train laborers for the harvest – Matthew 9:36-38
10. That our great aim would be to glorify God by becoming like Jesus – Matthew 10:24-25
11. That we would find our rest and comfort in Jesus – Matthew 11:28-30
12. That we would be very careful how we use our words – Matthew 12:36-37
13. That we would ask Jesus good questions to unlock the mysteries of the kingdom – Matthew 13:10-12
14. That we would spend adequate time in solitude with the Father – Matthew 14:23
15. That we would break away with those we are discipling for rest and concentrated time – Matthew 15:21

Our Co-Laboring Friends

• Wes & Tina – Alaska
• Merari – Egypt
• Kim – Egypt (Jubilee) 
• Grant and Taylor – Texas
• Alex and Morgan – Texas
• Mike & Perla – Texas
• Diana – Texas
• Jeff and Joy – Texas
• David & Danielle – Texas & Japan
• Bob & Mary – Ecuador 
• Berk & Barbara – North Carolina
• Mark & Megan – NYC
• Brett and Abigail – Germany
• Jonathan & Tatianna – Bangladesh 
• Ryan and Fastina – Pakistan
• Jim & Rolinda – Georgia

ENGLISH / ESPAÑOL

Welcome Back! Today, we’ll be looking at the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke to see how Jesus responded to dumb questions.  

So let’s dive in.

(Click here to get a copy of the Gospel Sync document) 

Matthew 8:23-27, Mark 4:36–41, Luke 8:22b–25

As they sailed, He fell asleep. Suddenly, a violent windstorm came up on the sea, and the waves were breaking over the boat so that it was being swamped and they were in great danger. But Jesus was still in the stern, sleeping on the cushion. So the disciples went and woke Him, saying, “Teacher, Lord, Master, save us! Don’t You care that we are perishing?”

“You of little faith,” Jesus replied, “why are you so afraid?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the raging waters of the sea. “Silence!” He commanded. “Be still!” And the wind died down and all was perfectly calm.

“Why are you so afraid?” He asked. “Do you still have no faith?” The men were overwhelmed with fear and amazement. They asked one another, “What kind of man is this? Who is this, that He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him!”

My Thoughts

And this is why I like reading the Gospels in a synchronized manner. Because you catch the little things that can make a BIG difference!

For instance, in Mark’s rendition of the storm on the sea, we see the dumbest question ever asked by mankind:

“Don’t You care that we are perishing?” (Mark 4:38b)

Can you imagine someone accusing the Great Shepherd of our souls, the One who created us, the One who endured the humility of Deity becoming flesh, the One who let His own creation spit in His face and torture Him, the One who drank the cup of God’s wrath that was meant to be poured out on all humanity for the grievous acts of rebellion in our stead, the One who is the King of kings and Lord of lords with all authority to turn us all into a bloody mist and had mercy instead, Him, being accused of NOT caring for us? Absolutely preposterous and insulting!

And yet, His disciples do it all the time. I mean, I have. Have you?

It is so easy, when the storms of life come crashing in, to lose sight of the fact that the Great Lover of humanity is always intimately passionate about our well-being. But this is where our faith needs constant bolstering and reinforcement so that the next storm brings greater confidence in our Captain.

Asking dumb questions is a natural part of our human frailty. Developing confident assurance is part of our journey as His fellow sailors, being shaped into His likeness.

Now how does this apply to disciple-makers? We are to be as patient and instructive with dumb questions as the Master Disciple-maker was. Jesus didn’t ignore their question or give them a bye. He addressed their lack of faith and with great compassion as well as power, calmed the storm. We as disciple-makers are to do our best to be truthful, instructive, and compassionate all at once. We need to be committed to correcting any misunderstanding about how much God really does care for us, even in the midst of the worst storms.

My Story

Cancer. The one word everyone dreads and no one wants to hear. But that was the diagnosis for my young wife, who was only 37 years old. Deb was as healthy as they come, great diet, exercised regularly, no bad habits, and not to mention her godly character and dedication to making disciples of Jesus. And yet, our doctor friend dropped the words as gently as he could, “Deb, you have breast cancer.”

You can imagine what was going through our heads. The questions we had. And maybe even a few dumb questions for God. As the leaders of our family of four, the shepherds of our small Army church in Italy, and mentors to many more disciples scattered throughout the world, we would need to wrestle with all the questions. How would we respond? What kind of example would we be to others who depended on our leadership?

God brought us all the way to the edge of the precipice of despair. But we knew it was essential we didn’t go over the edge. We knew we would be an example to so many other women who would eventually hear the same words and families that would have to navigate through the same storms. We had been through suffering before and answered our own legitimate questions and even a few of the dumb ones from the Word. We had weathered the storms of life before and we would weather this one with the same promises Jesus gave us in the past. But we needed to model this for the disciples. So we did. It wasn’t the first instance of enduring the tough times nor would it be the last. With God’s help and care, we got through the storm of breast cancer.

Our Action Plan

Now we’ll look at some ideas on how to help us as disciple-makers deal with questions that disciples will inevitably ask.

• Make sure you look in the mirror first. Have you ever asked such a question?
• Make sure your compassion tank is full. (2 Corinthians 1:3-7)
• Bring truth and perspective from the Word of God. (Ephesians 4:15)

As disciple-makers, we must be prepared to address both the profound and the seemingly dumb questions that arise during life’s storms with patience, truth, and compassion. By doing so, we not only strengthen the faith of those we lead but also deepen our own trust in the unfailing care of our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Index for all posts in the Gospel Sync Series

La Pregunta Más Tonta Jamás Hecha – #82

¡Bienvenido! Hoy, veremos los Evangelios de Mateo, Marcos y Lucas para ver cómo respondió Jesús a preguntas tontas.

Así que comencemos.

Mateo 8:23-27, Marcos 4:36-41, Lucas 8:22b-25

Mientras navegaban, se durmió. De repente, una violenta tormenta de viento se levantó en el mar, y las olas rompían sobre el barco de modo que se inundaba y corrían un gran peligro. Pero Jesús todavía estaba en la popa, durmiendo en el cojín. Entonces los discípulos fueron y lo despertaron, diciendo: “¡Maestro, Señor, Maestro, sálvanos! ¿No te importa que estemos pereciendo?”

“Son de poca fe”, respondió Jesús, “¿por qué tienen tanto miedo?” Entonces se levantó y reprendió a los vientos y a las aguas embravecidas del mar. “¡Silencio!” Él ordenó. “¡Quédate quieto!” Y el viento menguó y todo quedó perfectamente en calma.

“¿Por qué tienen tanto miedo?” Preguntó. “¿Todavía no tienen fe?” Los hombres estaban abrumados por el miedo y el asombro. Se preguntaban unos a otros: «¿Qué clase de hombre es éste? ¿Quién es éste, que manda incluso a los vientos y al agua, y le obedecen?”

Mis Pensamientos

Y es por eso que me gusta leer los Evangelios de manera sincronizada. ¡Porque captas las pequeñas cosas que pueden marcar una GRAN diferencia!

Por ejemplo, en la interpretación de Marcos de la tormenta en el mar, vemos la pregunta más tonta jamás hecha por la humanidad:

“Maestro, ¿no tienes cuidado que perecemos?” (Mark 4:38b)

¿Te imaginas a alguien acusando al Gran Pastor de nuestras almas, a Aquel que nos creó, a Aquel que soportó la humildad de la Deidad haciéndose carne, a Aquel que dejó que Su propia creación le escupiera en la cara y lo torturara, a Aquel que bebió la copa de la ira de Dios que estaba destinada a ser derramada sobre toda la humanidad por los graves actos de rebelión en nuestro lugar?  ¿Aquel que es el Rey de reyes y Señor de señores con toda autoridad para convertirnos a todos en una niebla sangrienta y tuvo misericordia de ser acusado de NO cuidarnos? ¡Absolutamente absurdo e insultante!

Y, sin embargo, sus discípulos lo hacen todo el tiempo. Quiero decir, lo he hecho. ¿Lo has hecho?

Es muy fácil, cuando las tormentas de la vida se estrellan, perder de vista el hecho de que el Gran Amante de la humanidad siempre está íntimamente apasionado por nuestro bienestar. Pero aquí es donde nuestra fe necesita fortaleza y refuerzo constantes para que la próxima tormenta traiga una mayor confianza en nuestro Capitán.

Hacer preguntas tontas es una parte natural de nuestra fragilidad humana. Desarrollar una seguridad confiada es parte de nuestro viaje como Sus compañeros marineros, siendo moldeados a Su semejanza.

Ahora bien, ¿cómo se aplica esto a los hacedores de discípulos? Debemos ser tan pacientes e instructivos con las preguntas tontas como lo fue el Maestro-Hacedor de Discípulos. Jesús no ignoró su pregunta ni les dio un adiós. Abordó su falta de fe y con gran compasión y poder, calmó la tormenta. Nosotros, como hacedores de discípulos, debemos hacer todo lo posible para ser veraces, instructivos y compasivos a la vez. Necesitamos comprometernos a corregir cualquier malentendido sobre cuánto Dios realmente se preocupa por nosotros, incluso en medio de las peores tormentas.

Mi Historia

Cáncer. La única palabra que todos temen y nadie quiere escuchar. Pero ese fue el diagnóstico para mi joven esposa, que solo tenía 37 años. Deb era tan saludable como parece, con una gran dieta, hacía ejercicio regularmente, sin malos hábitos y sin mencionar su carácter piadoso y su dedicación a hacer discípulos de Jesús. Y, sin embargo, nuestro amigo médico soltó las palabras tan suavemente como pudo: “Deb, tienes cáncer de mama”.

Puedes imaginar lo que pasaba por nuestras cabezas. Las preguntas que teníamos. Y tal vez incluso algunas preguntas tontas para Dios. Como líderes de nuestra familia de cuatro, pastores de nuestra pequeña iglesia del ejército en Italia y mentores de muchos más discípulos esparcidos por todo el mundo, tendríamos que luchar con todas las preguntas. ¿Cómo responderíamos? ¿Qué clase de ejemplo seríamos para otros que dependieran de nuestro liderazgo?

Dios nos llevó hasta el borde del precipicio de la desesperación. Pero sabíamos que era esencial que no nos pasáramos del límite. Sabíamos que seríamos un ejemplo para muchas otras mujeres que eventualmente escucharían las mismas palabras y familias que tendrían que navegar a través de las mismas tormentas. Habíamos pasado por el sufrimiento antes y respondimos nuestras propias preguntas legítimas e incluso algunas de las tontas de la Palabra. Habíamos capeado las tormentas de la vida antes y resistiríamos esta con las mismas promesas que Jesús nos dio en el pasado. Pero necesitábamos modelar esto para los discípulos. Así que lo hicimos. No fue la primera instancia de soportar los tiempos difíciles ni sería la última. Con la ayuda y el cuidado de Dios, superamos la tormenta del cáncer de mama.

Nuestro Plan de Acción

Ahora veremos algunas ideas sobre cómo ayudarnos como hacedores de discípulos a lidiar con las preguntas que los discípulos inevitablemente harán.

* Asegúrate de mirarte en el espejo primero. ¿Alguna vez te has hecho una pregunta así?

* Asegúrate de que tu tanque de compasión esté lleno. (2 Corintios 1:3-7)

* Trae la verdad y la perspectiva de la Palabra de Dios. (Efesios 4:15.)

Como hacedores de discípulos, debemos estar preparados para abordar tanto las preguntas profundas como las aparentemente tontas que surgen durante las tormentas de la vida con paciencia, verdad y compasión. Al hacerlo, no solo fortalecemos la fe de aquellos a quienes dirigimos, sino que también profundizamos nuestra propia confianza en el cuidado infalible de nuestro Salvador, el Señor Jesucristo. 

Traducción de Norma Klingler

ENGLISH / ESPAÑOL

Welcome Back! Today, we’ll be looking at the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke to discover how Jesus recruited disciples. 

So let’s dive in.

(Click here to get a copy of the Gospel Sync document) 

Matthew 8:18-22, Mark 4:35, Luke 8.22a; 9:57–62

One day, when evening came, Jesus saw a large crowd around Him, He gave orders to cross to the other side of the sea. He said to His disciples, “Let us cross to the other side of the lake.”

As they were walking along the road, one of the scribes came to Him and said to Jesus, “Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go.” Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head.”

Then He said to another disciple, “Follow Me.” The man replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” But Jesus told him, “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.” You, however, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”

Still another said, “I will follow You, Lord; but first let me bid farewell to my family.” Then Jesus declared, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and then looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

My Thoughts 

Jesus’s recruitment bar is set very high. It wasn’t  a “come one, come all” pitch without the declaration of the challenges associated with being His disciple. There was no small print on the contract. He made it clear. If you wanted to follow him, you had to use a rock for a pillow, skip your parents’ funeral, and leave your family without even a “goodbye.” WOW! That is shocking! It’s so shocking, theologians have tried to soften the blow by their explanations; “What Jesus really meant was…”

But we’re forgetting WHO Jesus is and WHAT His mission is. He is the King of kings and the Lord of Lord’s. If your commanding general walked into the barracks and said, “Get your gear, follow me!” you wouldn’t try to explain a hundred and one different reasons why you couldn’t immediately obey his orders. You would comply on the spot because you knew his authority and that if he was demanding urgency, it must be pretty important to comply with his command without anything but, “Roger that, Sir!”

No, Jesus was serious with His mission and recruiting those who understood who He was. He is the King. We owe Him much more allegiance and obedience than any other authority that we rightly fear on this earth.

My Story

I almost joined the United States Marine Corps. I was flunking out of High School and I knew if I didn’t get my life on track, there was a train wreck in my future. When I walked into the Marine recruiting office, I boldly announced, “I want to be Force Recon.” (The best of the best in the Corps). The sergeant was gruff and to the point, “Boy, if you want promises, go see the Army recruiter.” I sharply turned around with my tail between my legs and went next door and joined the US Army under the promise they would make me an Airborne Ranger. They lied. (But I’m not bitter 🙂).

But you have to hand it to the Marine Corps. The Army, Navy, and the Air Force will lure you in with all kinds of incentives; Bonuses, Education, See the World, Skills, etc… Not the Marines. They advertise a life of sacrifice and honor. They show men and women in battle not flying a high tech drone. Nothing wrong with flying a high tech drone but there’s something to be said about the Marines’ warrior ethos.

I think they learned that from Jesus. Jesus didn’t lower the bar to find more recruits, He raised it. 

“So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in yourselves.” (John 6:53)

As we obey His command to go and make disciples, let’s be like Jesus, and recruit with full disclosure. The life of the disciple of Christ is the life of a warrior for the King. Yes, it comes with hardship and sacrifice but it also comes with true life and freedom.

(And FYI, there is no such thing as a convert who is not expected to be His disciple. That is the minimum standard, not Special Forces)

Our Action Plan

Now it’s time for application. Here’s some ideas.

• Read the words of Jesus in the Gospels and examine how He recruited disciples
• Answer this question as a church; “Is Jesus looking for converts or disciples?”
• Ask  the people you are discipling what attracted them to your mentorship.

In calling His disciples, Jesus establishes a high standard that requires unwavering commitment and sacrifice, emphasizing that true discipleship is a serious dedication to His mission. As we reflect on His example, let us encourage others to embrace His model of discipleship and prioritize their commitment to following Him wholeheartedly.

Index for all posts in the Gospel Sync Series

Reclutando Discípulos – #81

¡Bienvenido! Hoy, veremos los Evangelios de Mateo, Marcos y Lucas para descubrir cómo Jesús reclutó discípulos.

Así que comencemos

Mateo 8:18-22, Marcos 4:35, Lucas 8.22a; 9:57–62

Un día, al anochecer, Jesús vio una gran multitud a su alrededor, y dio órdenes de cruzar al otro lado del mar. Dijo a sus discípulos: “Pasemos al otro lado del lago”.

Mientras caminaban por el camino, uno de los escribas se acercó a él y le dijo a Jesús: “Maestro, te seguiré adondequiera que vayas”. Jesús respondió: “Las zorras tienen guaridas y las aves del cielo tienen nidos, pero el Hijo del Hombre no tiene dónde recostar la cabeza”.

Luego le dijo a otro discípulo: “Sígueme”. El hombre respondió: “Señor, déjame ir primero y enterrar a mi padre”. Pero Jesús le dijo: “Sígueme, y deja que los muertos entierren a sus muertos”. Tú, sin embargo, ve y proclama el reino de Dios”.

Otro dijo: “Te seguiré, Señor; pero primero permítame despedirme de mi familia”. Entonces Jesús declaró: “Nadie que pone su mano en el arado y luego mira hacia atrás es apto para el reino de Dios”.

Mis Pensamientos

El listado de reclutamiento de Jesús está establecido muy alto. No fue un discurso de “vengan uno, vengan todos” sin la declaración de los desafíos asociados a ser Su discípulo. No había letra pequeña en el contrato. Lo dejó claro. Si querías seguirlo, tenías que usar una piedra como almohada, saltarte el funeral de tus padres y dejar a tu familia sin siquiera un “adiós”. ¡UAU! ¡Eso es impactante! Es tan impactante que los teólogos han tratado de suavizar el golpe con sus explicaciones; “Lo que Jesús realmente quiso decir fue…”

Pero estamos olvidando QUIÉN es Jesús y CUÁL es Su misión. Él es el Rey de reyes y el Señor de señores. Si tu comandante general entrara en el cuartel y dijera: “¡Toma tu equipo, sígueme!”, no intentarías explicar ciento y una razones diferentes por las que no puedes obedecer inmediatamente sus órdenes. Cumplirías en el acto porque conocías su autoridad y que si exigía urgencia, debía ser muy importante cumplir con su orden sin nada más que: “¡Recibido, Señor!”

No, Jesús tomaba en serio su misión y reclutaba a aquellos que entendían quién era Él. Él es el Rey. Le debemos mucha más lealtad y obediencia que a cualquier otra autoridad que temamos con razón en esta tierra.

Mi Historia

Casi me uní al Cuerpo de Marines de los Estados Unidos. Estaba reprobando la escuela secundaria y sabía que si no encarrilaba mi vida, había un choque de trenes en mi futuro. Cuando entré en la oficina de reclutamiento de la Marina, anuncié audazmente: “Quiero ser parte de la Fuerza de Reconocimiento”. (Lo mejor de lo mejor en el Cuerpo). El sargento fue brusco y directo: “Chico, si quieres promesas, ve a ver al reclutador del Ejército”. Me di la vuelta bruscamente con la cola entre las piernas y fui a la puerta de al lado y me uní a la Armada del Ejército de los EE. UU. con la promesa de que me convertirían en un rastreador aerotransportado. Mintieron. (Pero no estoy amargado 🙂 ).

Pero hay que dárselo al Cuerpo de Marines. El Ejército, la Armada y la Fuerza Aérea te atraerán con todo tipo de incentivos: bonificaciones, educación, ver el mundo, habilidades, etc. No así los Marines. Ellos anuncian una vida de sacrificio y honor. Muestran a hombres y mujeres en la batalla que no vuelan un dron de alta tecnología. No hay nada de malo en volar un dron de alta tecnología, pero hay algo que decir sobre el espíritu guerrero de los Marines.

Creo que aprendieron eso de Jesús. Jesús no bajó el listón para encontrar más reclutas, lo elevó.

“Entonces Jesús les dijo: En verdad, en verdad os digo que si no coméis la carne del Hijo del Hombre y bebéis su sangre, no tenéis vida en vosotros.” (Juan 6:53)

A medida que obedecemos Su mandato de ir y hacer discípulos, seamos como Jesús y reclutemos con plena revelación. La vida del discípulo de Cristo es la vida de un guerrero para el Rey. Sí, viene con dificultades y sacrificios, pero también viene con verdadera vida y libertad.

(Y para su información, no existe tal cosa como un converso del que no se espera que sea Su discípulo. Ese es el estándar mínimo, no las Fuerzas Especiales)

Nuestro Plan de Acción

Ahora es el momento de la aplicación. Aquí hay algunas ideas.

•   Lee las palabras de Jesús en los Evangelios y examina cómo reclutó discípulos
•  Responde esta pregunta como iglesia: “¿Está Jesús buscando conversos o discípulos?”
• Pregúntale a las personas a las que está discipulando qué los atrajo de su tutoría. 

Al llamar a sus discípulos, Jesús establece un alto estándar que requiere un compromiso y sacrificio inquebrantables, enfatizando que el verdadero discipulado es una dedicación seria a su misión. Al reflexionar sobre Su ejemplo, animemos a otros a abrazar Su modelo de discipulado y priorizar su compromiso de seguirlo de todo corazón.

Traducción de Norma Klingler