The Temporal Nature of Earthly Kingdoms: A Biblical Analysis of Supreme Loyalty to the Eternal King
“Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver and the gold were crushed all at the same time and became like chaff from the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away so that not a trace of them was found. But the stone that struck the statue became a great mountain and filled the whole earth… In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed, and that kingdom will not be left for another people; it will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, but it will itself endure forever. Inasmuch as you saw that a stone was cut out of the mountain without hands and that it crushed the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver and the gold, the great God has made known to the king what will take place in the future; so the dream is true and its interpretation is trustworthy.”
Daniel 2:35,44-45
Introduction
The short answer to the question is “Yes, but… . In Daniel 2:31-45, we encounter a profound prophecy that should temper our loyalties and allegiance to any earthly nation. This passage, particularly the phrase “not a trace of them was found” from Daniel 2:35, offers a striking contrast between the transient nature of earthly kingdoms and the eternal reign of God’s kingdom. This concept is pivotal in understanding the biblical call for supreme loyalty to the King of Kings over patriotic allegiance to earthly nations.
Linguistic Analysis
The phrase “not a trace of them was found” in Daniel 2:35 is translated from the Aramaic “וְלָא־הִשְׁתֲּכַח לְהוֹן כָּל־אֲתַר” (wə·lā- hiš·tə·ḵaḥ lə·hō·wn kāl-‘ă·ṯar). The key term here is “הִשְׁתֲּכַח” (hiš·tə·ḵaḥ, Strong’s H7912), which means “to be found” or “to be present.” In this context, it’s used with a negative particle to emphasize complete absence or disappearance.
Theological Significance
This linguistic nuance underscores the utter dissolution of earthly powers in the face of God’s kingdom. It echoes Jesus’ teachings about the temporary nature of worldly authority and the supremacy of God’s reign (Matthew 6:19-20). The concept reveals God’s sovereignty and the futility of placing ultimate trust in human institutions.
Jesus as the Perfect Example
Jesus exemplified the perfect balance between respecting earthly authorities and maintaining supreme loyalty to God’s kingdom. His statement, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Mark 12:17), demonstrates this principle. Jesus showed respect for earthly authorities but never compromised His allegiance to the Father’s will.
Implications for Understanding the Kingdom of God
The phrase “not a trace of them was found” points to the comprehensive nature of God’s kingdom. It suggests that when God’s reign is fully established, all competing powers will be completely eradicated. This concept aligns with Jesus’ parables about the kingdom of God, such as the mustard seed (Matthew 13:31-32), which grows to overshadow all else.
Divine Attributes and Redemptive Plan
This concept reveals God’s omnipotence and eternal nature. It demonstrates His ability to overcome all earthly powers and establish His everlasting kingdom. The prophetic vision in Daniel points to Christ’s eternal reign, fulfilling God’s redemptive plan for humanity.
Christological Fulfillment
Jesus fulfills the vision of the rock “cut out, but not by human hands” that shatters the statue of earthly kingdoms—Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome—demonstrating His divine authority over all human powers. This rock, symbolizing Christ, strikes the statue’s feet and becomes a great mountain that fills the earth, representing His everlasting kingdom established through His redemptive work and the spread of the gospel across all nations. Unlike the temporary empires of the vision, Jesus’ reign as the Messiah ushers in a divine kingdom not built by human effort but by God’s sovereign will. His triumph as the rock and mountain signifies the eternal rule of God, bringing justice, peace, and salvation to the world.
Transformative Power for Believers
Understanding this concept transforms how believers view their citizenship. While we may have earthly nationalities, our primary allegiance is to Christ’s kingdom. This perspective should shape our priorities, values, and actions, leading us to invest in eternal matters rather than temporary earthly concerns.
Conclusion
As Christians, we can indeed take pride in our country’s heritage, show respect to leaders and national symbols like flags, and even serve in the military to defend our nation. These actions can be expressions of good citizenship and stewardship of the blessings God has given us through our national identity. However, it’s crucial to maintain a balanced perspective. The vision in Daniel 2 serves as a powerful reminder that all earthly kingdoms, no matter how great, are ultimately temporal. The stone cut without hands, representing God’s kingdom, will one day crush all earthly powers, leaving not a trace of them behind. This prophetic image cautions us against allowing our national allegiance to compete with or supersede our supreme loyalty to God. While we can honor our earthly nations, we must always remember that our true citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20), and our ultimate allegiance belongs to the eternal Kingdom of God, which will endure forever.
The aroma of sizzling burgers and crispy fries wafted through the air as Alex and Jose settled into their booth at Burger Haven. The familiar chatter of lunchtime patrons and the clink of trays provided a comforting backdrop to their conversation.
Alex took a sip of his soda, his eyes twinkling with purpose. “So, Jose,” he began, carefully selecting his words, “I’ve been meaning to ask you something important. Are you a Christian?”
Jose’s eyebrows shot up, a hint of indignation coloring his features. He set down his half-eaten burger with a soft thud. “I’m an American, aren’t I?” he retorted, his tone carrying a mix of pride and defensiveness.
Alex leaned forward, his expression softening. “I hear you, my friend, but being an American and being a Christian are two very different things. Let me explain.”
As Jose listened, his initial defensiveness began to melt away, replaced by genuine curiosity. Alex’s words painted a vivid picture of two distinct realms – the temporal and the eternal.
“You see,” Alex continued, gesturing with a french fry, “our citizenship here in America is a blessing, no doubt. But there’s another citizenship that transcends borders and time itself – citizenship in the Kingdom of God.”
Jose’s brow furrowed. “Kingdom of God? Sounds pretty abstract to me.”
Alex nodded, understanding his friend’s skepticism. “It might seem that way at first, but it’s as real as the burger in your hand. Think of it this way: our nation, as great as it is, will one day not exist and won’t even be remembered. But God’s kingdom? It’s eternal.”
Alex leaned forward, his eyes shining with conviction. “Jose, let me share something personal with you. There was a time when I felt lost and guilty. A friend explained to me that God loves us so much that He sent Jesus to Earth. Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and was buried, but the good news is He rose again three days later, proving He’s the true King.”
Jose listened intently, his burger forgotten.
Alex continued, “I prayed, asking God for forgiveness and for Jesus to be my King. I immediately felt forgiven and free. It changed my life forever. Have you ever considered asking God for forgiveness and making Jesus your King, Jose?”
Jose shook his head slowly, absorbing the information.
“You see,” Alex explained, “there are actually two kingdoms at war with each other. We’re born into the kingdom of darkness, ruled by Satan. He’s a liar who says you don’t have to serve him, you can serve yourself, but in the end, he brings death, darkness, and destruction. But Jesus is the King of the Kingdom of Light. He offers life, light, and love for eternity if we turn from our selfish ways and serve Him as our King.”
Alex paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. “We live in this brief bubble called life, Jose. In 70 or 80 years, it pops. Whichever king we served is where we’re going to spend all eternity. My question for you is: which king are you serving?”
Jose sat back, his expression thoughtful. “I’ve never thought about it like that before. It’s a lot to take in.”
Alex nodded understandingly. “I know it can seem overwhelming, but it’s the most important decision you’ll ever make. The good news – the gospel – is at the heart of this. Jesus preached the gospel of the kingdom, and that’s what I’m sharing with you now.”
Jose gathered his tray, his eyes reflecting a mix of curiosity and contemplation. “Thanks for sharing this, Alex. I have a lot to think about.”
As they stepped out into the sunlight, Jose felt as though he was seeing the world through new eyes. The American flag waving in front of the restaurant took on a different meaning now – a symbol of earthly citizenship, important but no longer ultimate.
“You know what, Alex?” Jose said, a newfound determination in his voice. “I think I’d like to hear more about this Jesus and how I can follow Him as my King.”
Alex smiled encouragingly. “Remember, Jose, it’s not about being an American or following a religion. It’s about choosing which kingdom you want to be part of – the Kingdom of Light or the kingdom of darkness. The decision is yours, but I’m here if you want to talk more about it.”
And with that, the two friends set off, their conversation no longer just about countries and borders, but about a kingdom that would outlast all others – a kingdom where true freedom and eternal purpose awaited.
They will fight against you, but they will not overcome you, for I am with you to deliver you,” declares the LORD.
Jeremiah 1:19
Preparation for Graduation
The mirror in Wade’s quarters reflected a stranger – a Ranger in gleaming powered armor, its titanium-ceramic plates catching the light. The Marine Corps’ iconic anchor and globe insignia was emblazoned on the chest plate, the gold relief standing proud against the iridescent armor coating. His fingers traced the emblem’s raised edge, remembering how that same symbol had once felt impossibly out of reach. Now it sat naturally on his armor, earned through blood, sweat, and more than a few nightmares.
“Your power coupling is misaligned,” Jay announced from the doorway, already suited in his own armor, the servos humming quietly with each movement. He crossed the room and adjusted Wade’s shoulder pauldron with practiced precision. “The field harmonics need to be perfect for the neural interface. Old tradition – supposedly helps sync your movements with the armor’s response systems.”
Wade stood still, letting his friend make the adjustment. “You actually believe that?”
“After everything we’ve seen?” Jay’s helmet lights blinked in amusement. “I believe in being thorough. Speaking of which…” He produced his ragged copy of the Ranger handbook. “Metro’s got a betting pool going on which squad will mess up the Ranger Creed.” They both laughed.
The familiar routine of preparation settled over them, but this time it felt different. This wasn’t like gearing up for a combat drop or a live-fire exercise. Every motion carried the weight of ceremony, of history.
Down the corridor, other Rangers-to-be were going through their own preparations. The usual banter was muted, replaced by a focused intensity. Someone was practicing the creed in a low voice: “Recognizing I volunteered as a Ranger. Fully knowing the hazards of my chosen profession…”
Wade caught fragments of conversations as he walked the halls, his armor’s boots clicking against the deck plating, checking on his platoon one last time as their platoon sergeant:
“Did you hear? General Redside himself is conducting the ceremony—”
“My great-grandfather’s Marine Corps medallion. Been through three planetary campaigns—”
“Make sure your armor’s neural interface is calibrated exactly to—”
On the parade ground, maintenance crews were transforming the open space into something appropriately ceremonial. The battle-scarred dropships had been arranged in a perfect crescent. Each ship’s running lights pulsed in sync, creating a rippling wave of red energy that seemed to echo the heartbeats of the graduating class.
Metro was there, meticulously adjusting the holographic displays that would show their achievements to the assembled dignitaries. “They’re going to play the combat footage,” he said without looking up. “…from the Zoo on Carthis 7. The brass thinks it’ll inspire the next generation.”
Wade watched the silent replay of their most harrowing moment, now sanitized and edited for ceremony. The footage showed their squad moving through the twisted architecture of the Skravak nest, plasma rifles blasting, armor covered in the black fluid of their alien prey. The recording couldn’t capture the acidic stench of the nest, the way the ground seemed to pulse beneath their feet, or how time seemed to stretch and compress. But maybe that was the point of graduation – to transform raw experience into something that was a little more patriotic and inspire future recruits.
The chronometer above the barracks doors counted down the minutes until the ceremony. With each passing minute, the air seemed to grow thicker with anticipation. This wasn’t just about getting a Ranger Tab. This was about becoming part of something larger than themselves – a lineage of Rangers who had pushed back the boundaries of known space, who had faced the impossible and found ways to survive it.
Wade made one final check of his armor’s systems in the reflection of a viewport. Beyond the reinforced glass, Rinart 3’s earthlike landscape. A fresh rainfall created a rainbow arch over the graduation grounds. With God rays piercing the clouds. It seemed fitting – The Creator’s artwork giving approval to their endeavor to bring peace in His creation.
Now they stood ready to cross that final threshold, not as individuals but as Rangers. The tab they would ware wasn’t just protection – it was a promise to face the unknown, to push beyond the comfortable boundaries of human experience, to explore not just space but the very limits of human potential.
“Time check,” Jay announced, his voice carrying the same precision he used in the cockpit.
“Thirty minutes to formation,” Metro confirmed, his armor’s status lights glowing steady green.
Wade nodded, feeling the familiar weight of leadership settle onto his shoulders. This time, though, it wasn’t about leading them through danger or uncertainty. It was about leading them into their future, walking worthy of the tab they had earned to wear and uphold their Spartan tradition.
“Well then,” he said, cradling his helmet in the crook of his arm, “Let’s not keep the universe waiting.”
Unexpected Attendees
The parade ground buzzed with a flurry of unexpected faces, each one representing a chapter in their grueling journey. General Redside, who had been more than just a commanding officer – a constant guardian and mentor throughout their transformation – stood tall and proud, his decorated uniform gleaming in the morning sun. He took his place next to the Ranger School Commandant and Sergeant Major, his weathered face betraying a hint of paternal pride as he prepared to give his honorary remarks.
As the formation executed their precise movements in front of the gathered guests, Wade’s eyes swept across the crowd, his heart thundering against his ribcage when he spotted them – Admiral Kitzler, his presence commanding as ever, and Mrs. Kitzler, soft and looking as proud as a natural mother would be of her son. And beside her… Kristen! She stood there in a blue dress that caught the morning light, her radiant smile and unwavering gaze speaking volumes of the sleepless nights, the endless worry, and most importantly, her unshakeable love and faith in him. The sight of her nearly brought him to his knees, even in formation. “But how in the world…” His thoughts were interrupted by reminding himself he was in a parade.
Next to Kristen, arm in arm with a quiet dignity that seemed to radiate from within, stood Lieutenant Mayumi Kato. Her usual intelligent smile played across her features, but today it was softened with an almost maternal pride as she nodded respectfully towards Wade. Her presence represented the bridge between his past and future, a reminder of the path that had led him here. He knew Jay would be thrilled she made the trek to Rinart 3.
The shock of seeing his people, these pillars of his life gathered in one place, sent waves of emotion crashing through his chest, almost overwhelming his carefully maintained military bearing.
Metro’s wife stood nearby, her hands clasped tightly in front of her dress, her presence a living testament to the countless sacrifices made by all military families. The quiet strength in her bearing, the subtle way she held herself, spoke of lonely nights, delayed dinners, and unwavering support through countless deployments. Metro’s posture subtly shifted when their eyes met across the parade ground – he stood a little taller, his shoulders squaring just a fraction more, drawing strength from their silent exchange.
As the ceremony began in earnest, Wade felt a surge of emotion that threatened to break through his professional façade. These people – his mentors who had pushed him beyond his limits, his loved ones who had believed in him even when he doubted himself, his brothers and sisters in arms who had bled and suffered alongside him – had all played crucial roles in sculpting him into the Ranger he had become. Their presence here, at this moment of triumph, transformed what was already a significant achievement into something profound and deeply personal.
Metro gave the command for the platoon to halt and face the grandstand. With a crisp salute he report 56 Rangers of the 200 who had started were present and accounted for. The Commandant returned his salute and a familiar face stepped to the podium, Chaplain Bronson! He gave a short but powerful invocation and thanked Jesus Christ for the strength He had given these warriors. Wade was so taken back, he forgot to bow his head and Bronson said Amen, he gave a proud nod to Wade and took his seat next to the Sergeant Major. Redside adjusted the microphone and grasped the podium like he was confidently wrestling a lion. His remarks were mercifully short.
Redside stepped forward in front of the formation, holding the compact laser embosser with reverence. The metallic device hummed with technological sophistication, its weight representing the gravity of the moment. With careful movements that spoke of years of tradition, he positioned the device against the left shoulder of Wade’s armor, then Jay’s. The high-intensity beam triggered with a soft whine, cutting through the morning air with its sharp burst of yellow light. The crisp, permanent mark it left behind wasn’t just a symbol – it was a physical manifestation of their transformation, their suffering, their triumph. The Ranger tab now etched into their armor would forever remind them of this moment, of these people, and of the warriors they had become.
As the ceremony drew to a close, the formal atmosphere dissolved into a sea of congratulations, firm handshakes, and heartfelt embraces. Proud families surged forward, photos taken, and the air filled with laughter and well-wishes for the future. But for Wade, the crowd seemed to fade away, his focus narrowing to a single point – Kristen.
He moved through the throng with purpose, his newly-embossed Ranger tab catching the sunlight on his shoulder. When he reached her, his movements became deliberately gentle, conscious of the hard edges of his combat armor as he drew her into an embrace. Kristen melted into his arms despite the rigid plates between them, her fingers finding purchase on the familiar contours of his gear.
“I knew you would come back,” she whispered against his chest, her voice thick with emotion. “We had a promise. God made us a promise. I knew you would come back for me.” The words carried the weight of countless nights of prayer, of unwavering faith tested but never broken.
Wade gently eased her to arm’s length, his gloved hands resting lightly on her shoulders. He looked deep into her eyes, finding there all the strength and love that had sustained him through the darkest moments of his training. In that gaze was their shared past and their promised future, every prayer spoken, every moment of separation that had led to this reunion.
“Always,” he said simply, the word carrying the weight of an oath.
Then he pulled her close once more, feeling her warmth even through his armor, standing as an anchor in the swirling celebration around them. In that moment, the newly etched Ranger tab on his shoulder felt like more than just a symbol of military achievement – it was a promise kept, a path that had led him back to her, just as he’d sworn it would.
Secret Recon Mission
After the pomp and circumstance of graduation, Wade, Kristen, Jay, and Mayumi were ushered into a private briefing room. General Redside and Admiral Kitzler stood at the head of the table, their faces serious.
Redside spoke in measured tones. “Congratulations on your graduation,” he began. “But I’m afraid the real work is just beginning. And you won’t be going to the Ranger Regiment anytime soon. I’ve chosen you all for a top-secret reconnaissance mission of utmost importance to the Confederation.”
Wade and Jay stood stunned.
The room fell silent as the gravity of his words sank in. Redside continued, outlining a dangerous mission deep into uncharted space, where intelligence suggested a path to the origins of the Skravak “aliens” and the roots of the conspiracy.
“You’ll start with this mining operation and follow the breadcrumbs to their origins. Your unique skills and experiences make you the ideal team for this mission,” Redside explained. “We need your expertise in tactics, your advanced piloting skills, psychological and photographic memories and your technical expertise.”
Suddenly Wade realizes Redside is not just talking about him and Jay. He included Mayumi and Kristen. It was hard for him to contain the confusion and concern.
As the briefing progressed, Wade noticed Kristen’s quiet confidence. It was then that Redside dropped another bombshell.
“Dr. Kitzler,” he addressed Kristen, “your father and I have discussed your exceptional abilities, and we believe you’re ready for this. Do you accept this mission and the rank that comes with it?”
Kristen stood tall. “I do, sir.”
In a brief but meaningful ceremony, Kristen was sworn in as a Navy Ensign. Wade’s chest swelled with pride for her but was completely confused by what was happening.
The Revelation
As General Redside finished administering the oath and lowered his right hand, he turned to Wade and Jay. Something in the General’s demeanor – a barely concealed smile playing at the corners of his mouth – suggested this wasn’t standard operating procedure.
“Gentlemen,” he began, his voice pitched low enough that only they could hear, “I believe I owe you an explanation about our unexpected guest.” His eyes flickered briefly toward Kristen.
The two men remained silent, but their postures shifted subtly – Wade’s spine straightening, Jay’s head tilting slightly as if to better catch every word.
“It’s quite remarkable, really,” Redside continued, settling into the rhythm of his story. “After your ‘death,’ Kovacs, we thought we had every loose end tied up. Every base covered.” He gave a rueful shake of his head. “We didn’t count on Dr. Kitzler’s… persistence.”
A knowing smile crossed Wade’s face before he could suppress it. Kristen had always been like a dog with a bone when something didn’t add up.
“First came the questions,” Redside said, his voice taking on an almost admiring tone. “Small ones at first – inconsistencies in the official report, discrepancies in the timeline. But they grew. Evolved. Soon she was constructing elaborate psychological profiles, probability matrices…” He paused, letting out a short laugh. “She even cornered me in my own office – twice.”
The General’s expression sobered. “But it was her presentation to Admiral Kitzler that truly changed everything. Her own father, mind you. She walked into his office with a three-inch binder full of evidence suggesting you were alive, Kovacs. Evidence that, quite frankly, was disturbingly accurate.”
Wade felt his chest tighten. He could picture Kristen, fierce and determined, fighting for what she believed in. It was one of the things he’d always loved about her.
“The Admiral was impressed, naturally. But bringing a civilian into a secure operation of this sensitivity?” Redside spread his hands. “Unprecedented doesn’t begin to cover it.”
He began to pace, three steps one way, three steps back. “That’s when she surprised us all. Offered to accept a direct commission into the Navy. Said her psychiatric expertise and her…” he glanced at Wade, “personal insights could prove invaluable to the mission.”
Jay let out a low whistle. Wade stood frozen, processing the implications.
“We had a choice to make,” Redside continued. “Continue the charade and risk pushing away someone who’d already pieced together most of the puzzle, or… bring this amazing woman on the team.”
Redside looked at Wade, “And once I told her about your cockamamie plan to go to ranger school so you could stay in the fight…and get back to her, she was all the more resolved.”
The General stopped pacing and faced them squarely. “I want you both to understand something. Dr. Kitzler didn’t just stumble into this position. She fought for it. Earned it. And given what we’re up against with this Skravak situation, her insights could be the edge we need.”
Wade felt the weight of the moment settle over him like a physical thing. Kristen hadn’t just waited for him – she’d fought her way through bureaucracy, protocol, and military hierarchy to stand beside him. The mission ahead suddenly seemed both more complex and more promising.
“Sir,” he finally managed, his voice rough with emotion, “what are our next steps?”
Redside gave Wade and Jay a rueful grin. “In the past I offered you both battlefield commissions to Lieutenant. And you both turned me down. You don’t have a choice this time. You are both here by promoted to 2nd lieutenant and I don’t want to hear any quibbling. Is that clear?”
Wade and Jay exchanged a glance before respectfully accepting.
Redside had them raise their right hands and administered the oath.
“Thank you, sir,” Wade said, “We won’t let you down.”
Redside nodded, a hint of approval in his eyes. “Very well. Your mission begins in 48 hours. You’ll be briefed in greater detail on the ISC Dominion and fully kitted out. It’s a short fuse so no time for a honeymoon.”
The four looked at each other with some amusement.
Vows Among the Stars
As the briefing concluded, Admiral Kitzler stepped forward and Sarah Kitzler was ushered into the briefing room. “Before you embark on this mission, there’s one more order of business.” The Admiral smiled, a rare sight that transformed his usually stern face. “I believe we have some vows to exchange.”
In a scene that seemed almost surreal, Admiral Kitzler performed a double wedding ceremony right there in the briefing room. Wade and Kristen stood hand in hand, their eyes locked in a gaze of pure love and commitment. Beside them, Jay and Mayumi mirrored their pose, their own journey of love having blossomed in the midst of war and uncertainty.
As Wade recited his vows, he felt a profound sense of peace wash over him. This moment, this union, was a testament to his journey of faith. From the lost and broken teenager he had once been to the man standing here now, he could see God’s hand guiding him every step of the way.
“I, Wade, take you, Kristen, to be my lawfully wedded wife. Before God and these witnesses, I vow to love you, protect you, and stand by your side through whatever challenges we may face. In war and in peace, in danger and in safety, my heart is yours, now and always.”
Kristen’s voice was steady as she repeated her own vows, her eyes shining with unshed tears of joy. As Admiral Kitzler pronounced them husband and wife, Wade felt as if his heart might burst with happiness.
The vows recited by Jay and Mayumi were equally moving, their love a beacon of hope in the uncertain future that lay ahead.
New Lives, New Mission
As the newlyweds prepared to board the Stellar-Scout, the gravity of their mission settled over them. They were embarking on a journey into the unknown, facing dangers that they could scarcely imagine. Yet, as Wade looked at Kristen, at Jay and Mayumi, at the friends and family gathered to see them off, he felt a surge of hope.
“Ready for our next adventure, Mrs. Kovacs?” he asked, squeezing Kristen’s hand.
She smiled up at him, her eyes full of love and determination. “Always, Mr. Kovacs.”
With a final wave to their loved ones, the two couples boarded the Stellar-Scout. As the ship’s engines hummed to life, Jay took his place at the controls, Wade beside him. They exchanged a look of understanding – whatever lay ahead, they would face it together.
The Stellar-Scout lifted off, carrying with it not just four elite warriors, but four hearts full of love, faith, and hope for the future. As Rinart 3 faded into the distance, Wade offered a silent prayer of thanks and protection. Their journey was far from over – in fact, it was just beginning.
Welcome Back! Today, we’ll be looking at the Gospels of Matthew and Mark to see how Jesus responded to persistent faith and how He modeled rhythms of rest.
Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. Not wanting anyone to know He was there, He entered a house, but was unable to escape their notice. Instead, a Canaanite woman from that region whose little daughter had an unclean spirit soon heard about Jesus, and she came and fell at His feet. Now she was a Greek woman of Syrophoenician origin, and she kept asking Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter, saying “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is miserably possessed by a demon.”
But Jesus did not answer a word. So His disciples came and urged Him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” The woman came and knelt before Him. “Lord, help me!” she said. But Jesus replied, “First let the children have their fill. It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” “Yes, Lord,” she said, “even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” “O woman,” Jesus answered, “your faith is great! Because of this answer you may go and let it be done for you as you desire.” And she went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon was gone and she was healed from that very hour.
My Thoughts
I want to draw your attention to two insights from this passage. One is most commonly written about and the other a little bit more obscure but just as important.
The first is the woman whose daughter was tormented by a demon. She was a Gentile and outside of the scope of Jesus’ targeted ministry. She was a pest and the disciples were begging Jesus to get rid of her. After all, they were on vacation enjoying the beach (more on that in my second insight). Jesus finally addresses the woman with what could have only been received as an insult;
“First let the children have their fill. It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”
Did Jesus just call this lady a dog? That’s how I would have taken it! But notice her humility and faith. She doesn’t get mad and storm off. She doesn’t call the cops for what could have been perceived as a racial slur (AKA hate speech). No, she humbly bows before the King of kings and wisely presents her petition in a way that Jesus cannot ignore;
“Yes, Lord,” she said, “even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”
Now there are a few things that really get Jesus excited and one of them is extraordinary faith. (Remember the centurion who had more faith than anyone in israel? Matthew 8:5-13) Yes, although this woman was not part of the focus group and even a bother, Jesus was compelled to honor her request. Now that says a lot about how much joy God gets when we really trust Him and place our faith in Him! By the way, when you compare the two, I’d rather be called a dog than a sheep. Just saying.
On to the second insight. Notice where Jesus was – Tyre and Sidon. And notice why He was there – “Not wanting anyone to know He was there.” Wait, what? Is Jesus taking a break? You better believe He was! And the district Tyre and Sidon is a coastal region on the Mediterranean. Could Jesus have been spending time on the beach? Why not? I can just hear the disciples gasp when they see the vastness of the Med compared to their “Sea of Galilee.” Here’s my question; Why would it be so incredibly hard to believe that Jesus and His men were taking a vacation? I mean, think about the pace they were keeping. Even when Jesus suggested that they “Come away by themselves to a secluded place and rest a while.” 5000 people showed up to dinner. They were keeping a hectic schedule, frequently going without meals themselves. (Mark 6:31)
As often as Jesus was wrongfully chastised for violating the law of rest you’ve got to believe the Lord of the Sabbath would show us how to take a break. He actually goes on retreat at least two more times to be alone with His disciples. (Mark 8:27, John 11:54)
My Story
We built a 10×10 cabin on the backside of our property for the purpose of having a place to get away and spend time with God in solitude. We had some folks visit our place and we gave them the grand tour of our property and the “Quiet Time Cabin.” Later we found out that the cabin was jokingly renamed the “Shack of Shame.” It was supposed to be a joke but you know what they say, “A joke is just a veiled way to say what you’re really thinking.”
You have to ask the question, “Why would our friends be adverse to a place of rest and contemplation?” Well, one, these were Paratroopers and Special Forces folks and they rest when they die. And secondly, hard core disciple-makers are not known for taking rest seriously. And then again, neither were the children of Israel.
But as I look at Jesus taking a nap during a storm, the Omnipotent Father resting on the seventh day of creation, and the penalty for breaking the Sabbath in the Old Testament (look it up, it’s the same as witchcraft, sorcery, and adultery), I’m pretty convinced that God is serious about rest. It’s only for our own good and we’d do well to “Take 5” on a regular basis.
Our Action Plan
Now it’s time for some applications. Here’s some ideas;
As a disciple-maker, are you looking for people with extraordinary faith, even if it’s outside your “ministry target?”
Talk to those you are discipling and come up with a profile of someone with extraordinary faith
Do a personal inventory – Do you have an adequate rest rhythm?
In reflecting on Jesus’ encounter with the Canaanite woman and His retreat to Tyre and Sidon, we see the importance of persistent faith and the value of rest in our lives. By embracing these lessons, we can deepen our trust in God and cultivate a healthier balance between ministry and rest, just as Jesus modeled for us.
La señora del perro en la playa – 105
¡Bienvenidos nuevamente! Hoy, analizaremos los Evangelios de Mateo y Marcos para ver cómo respondió Jesús a la fe persistente y cómo modeló ritmos de descanso.
Comencemos.
Mateo 15:21-28, Marcos 7:24-30
De allí partió Jesús y se fue a la región de Tiro y Sidón. No queriendo que nadie supiera que estaba allí, entró en una casa, pero no pudo pasar desapercibido. En cambio, una mujer cananea de aquella región, cuya hijita tenía un espíritu inmundo, oyó hablar de Jesús, y fue y se postró a sus pies. Era una mujer griega de origen sirofenicio, y le pedía que expulsara al demonio de su hija, diciendo: «Señor, Hijo de David, ten compasión de mí; mi hija está miserablemente poseída por un demonio».
Pero Jesús no respondió ni una palabra. Entonces sus discípulos se acercaron y le rogaron: «Despídela, porque sigue gritando detrás de nosotros». Él respondió: «Sólo a las ovejas perdidas de la casa de Israel fui enviado». La mujer se acercó y se arrodilló ante Él. «Señor, ayúdame», le dijo. Pero Jesús le respondió: «Primero deja que los niños se sacien. No está bien tomar el pan de los hijos y echárselo a los perros. Ella le respondió: «Sí, Señor, hasta los perros comen debajo de la mesa las migajas que caen de la mesa de sus amos». Jesús le respondió: «Mujer, ¡qué grande es tu fe! Por esta respuesta puedes irte y que se cumpla lo que deseas». Cuando volvió a su casa, encontró al niño acostado en la cama; el demonio había desaparecido y ella quedó sana desde aquel mismo momento.
Mis Pensamientos
Quiero llamar su atención sobre dos ideas de este pasaje. Una es la más comúnmente escrita y la otra un poco más oscura pero igual de importante.
La primera es la mujer cuya hija estaba atormentada por un demonio. Ella era gentil y estaba fuera del alcance del ministerio de Jesús. Era una plaga y los discípulos le rogaban a Jesús que se deshiciera de ella. Después de todo, estaban de vacaciones disfrutando de la playa (más sobre eso en mi segunda idea). Jesús finalmente se dirige a la mujer con lo que solo podría haber sido recibido como un insulto:
“Deja primero que los hijos se sacien. No está bien tomar el pan de los hijos y echarlo a los perros”.
¿Jesús acaba de llamar a esta mujer perro? ¡Así es como lo habría tomado yo! Pero note su humildad y fe. Ella no se enoja y se va furiosa. Ella no llama a la policía por lo que podría haber sido percibido como un insulto racial (también conocido como discurso de odio). No, ella humildemente se inclina ante el Rey de reyes y sabiamente presenta su petición de una manera que Jesús no puede ignorar;
“Sí, Señor”, dijo ella, “hasta los perrillos comen debajo de la mesa las migajas que caen de la mesa de sus amos”.
Ahora bien, hay algunas cosas que realmente entusiasman a Jesús y una de ellas es una fe extraordinaria. (¿Recuerdas al centurión que tenía más fe que nadie en Israel? Mateo 8:5-13) Sí, aunque esta mujer no era parte del grupo de enfoque e incluso una molestia, Jesús se vio obligado a honrar su pedido. ¡Eso dice mucho sobre cuánto gozo obtiene Dios cuando realmente confiamos en Él y ponemos nuestra fe en Él! Por cierto, cuando comparas los dos, prefiero que me llamen perro que oveja. Solo lo digo.
Pasemos a la segunda idea. Observa dónde estaba Jesús: Tiro y Sidón. Y observa por qué estaba allí: “No quería que nadie supiera que estaba allí”. Espera, ¿qué? ¿Jesús se está tomando un descanso? ¡Será mejor que creas que lo estaba! Y el distrito de Tiro y Sidón es una región costera del Mediterráneo. ¿Podría haber estado Jesús pasando tiempo en la playa? ¿Por qué no? Casi puedo oír a los discípulos jadear cuando vieron la inmensidad del Mediterráneo en comparación con su “Mar de Galilea”. Mi pregunta es: ¿por qué sería tan increíblemente difícil creer que Jesús y sus hombres se estaban tomando unas vacaciones? Piensen en el ritmo que llevaban. Incluso cuando Jesús sugirió que “se retiraran a un lugar solitario para descansar un poco”, 5000 personas se presentaron a cenar. Tenían un horario muy apretado y con frecuencia se quedaban sin comer. (Marcos 6:31)
Por más que Jesús fuera injustamente reprendido por violar la ley del descanso, hay que creer que el Señor del sábado nos mostraría cómo tomar un descanso. De hecho, se retira al menos dos veces más para estar a solas con sus discípulos. (Marcos 8:27, Juan 11:54)
Mi Historia
Construimos una cabaña de 10×10 en la parte trasera de nuestra propiedad con el propósito de tener un lugar para alejarnos y pasar tiempo con Dios en soledad. Tuvimos algunas personas que visitaron nuestra propiedad y les mostramos un recorrido por nuestra propiedad y la “cabaña del tiempo de silencio”. Más tarde descubrimos que la cabaña había sido rebautizada en broma como “la cabaña de la vergüenza”. Se suponía que era una broma, pero ya sabes lo que dicen: “Una broma es solo una forma velada de decir lo que realmente estás pensando”.
Tienes que hacerte la pregunta: “¿Por qué nuestros amigos serían reacios a un lugar de descanso y contemplación?” Bueno, en primer lugar, estos eran paracaidistas y miembros de las Fuerzas Especiales y descansan cuando mueren. Y en segundo lugar, los hacedores de discípulos incondicionales no son conocidos por tomarse el descanso en serio. Y, por otra parte, tampoco lo eran los hijos de Israel.
Pero cuando veo a Jesús durmiendo la siesta durante una tormenta, al Padre Omnipotente descansando en el séptimo día de la creación y el castigo por quebrantar el Sabbath en el Antiguo Testamento (búscalo, es lo mismo que la brujería, la hechicería y el adulterio), estoy bastante convencido de que Dios se toma en serio el descanso. Es solo para nuestro propio bien y haríamos bien en descansar de forma regular.
Nuestro Plan de Acción
Ahora es el momento de aplicar algunas ideas. Aquí hay algunas:
Como hacedor de discípulos, ¿está buscando personas con una fe extraordinaria, incluso si está fuera de su “meta ministerial”?
Hable con aquellos a quienes está discipulando y elabore un perfil de alguien con una fe extraordinaria.
Haga un inventario personal: ¿tiene un ritmo de descanso adecuado?
Al reflexionar sobre el encuentro de Jesús con la mujer cananea y su retiro a Tiro y Sidón, vemos la importancia de la fe persistente y el valor del descanso en nuestras vidas. Al aceptar estas lecciones, podemos profundizar nuestra confianza en Dios y cultivar un equilibrio más saludable entre el ministerio y el descanso, tal como Jesús nos lo demostró.
Si ve un problema importante en la traducción, envíeme una corrección por correo electrónico a charleswood1@gmail.com
Welcome Back! Today, we’ll be looking at the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and John to see what Jesus thinks about traditions that trump the commands of God.
After this, Jesus traveled throughout Galilee. He did not want to travel in Judea, because the Jews there were trying to kill Him. Then some Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and gathered around Him and they saw some of His disciples eating with hands that were defiled—that is, unwashed. Now in holding to the tradition of the elders, the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat until they wash their hands ceremonially. And on returning from the market, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other traditions for them to observe, including the washing of cups, pitchers, kettles, and couches for dining.
So the Pharisees and scribes questioned Jesus: “Why do Your disciples break the tradition of the elders and not walk according to them? They do not wash their hands before they eat. Instead, they eat with defiled hands.”
Jesus answered them, “Isaiah prophesied correctly about you hypocrites, as it is written:
‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’
You have disregarded the commandment of God to keep the tradition of men. So why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?” He went on to say, “You neatly set aside the command of God to maintain your own tradition. For God said through Moses, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’ But you say that if anyone says to his father or mother, ‘Whatever you would have received from me is Corban’ (that is, a gift devoted to God)’he is no longer permitted to do anything for his father or mother. Thus you nullify the word of God by the tradition you have handed down. And you do so in many such matters.”
My Thoughts
Think about how traditions can sometimes work against their original purpose like when men over engineer a mighty river. Just as a diverted river can leave its natural bed dry and lifeless, human-made traditions can sometimes drain the life from God’s commandments.
Consider the ancient practice of “Corban” mentioned in the Biblical passage. Here was a tradition that, on its surface, appeared to honor God through dedicated offerings. Yet in practice, it created a loophole that allowed people to circumvent their basic responsibility to care for their aging parents. It’s like building a dam that redirects a river’s life-giving water away from the communities that depend on it, all while claiming to “improve water management.”
This example reveals a crucial distinction: not all traditions serve their intended purpose. While some traditions carry forward vital values like rivers carrying water, others can become like stagnant pools that trap and distort the original flow of divine wisdom. The religious leaders of the time had created an intricate delta of rules and traditions that, rather than clearly expressing God’s commandments, effectively buried them under layers of human interpretation and nefarious motives.
The warning here is clear – when our traditions begin to contradict or supersede fundamental moral obligations, we’ve lost our way. It’s akin to a river that’s been so extensively engineered that it no longer serves its essential purpose of sustaining life along its banks. The religious leaders had become such skilled navigators of their traditional rules that they’d forgotten the destination – showing love and honor to both God and people.
Tradition isn’t meant to be a clever system of bypassing moral obligations, but rather a channel through which eternal truths can flow freely from one generation to the next. Just as a healthy river system needs regular clearing of obstacles and restoration of natural flows, our traditions need constant examination to ensure they’re not damming up the very values they’re meant to convey.
The solution isn’t to abandon tradition entirely – that would be like trying to live without rivers. Instead, we need to ensure our traditions remain true to their source, allowing divine love to flow freely through them rather than being diverted by human convenience. When traditions begin to obstruct rather than facilitate our ability to honor God and care for others, it’s time to clear the channel and let the original flow resume its course.
My Story
How long does it take for some good practice to become a tradition in danger of losing its purpose? Can it happen in 6 months? You bet your boots it can! Deb and I were introduced to a method of sharing the gospel that was not only effective, it went viral. People were using it around the world in multiple languages and it was intoxicatingly exciting. But something started to happen very quickly that tarnished our enthusiasm. Without people recognizing their actions, it became “THE” way to share. They started pitching the method as the “silver bullet.” There were even cases where people resented someone suggesting another way to share the gospel. Pride had crept in and had done its dirty damage to what started out so well. And yes, it only took 6 months.
The most striking aspect of this mistake is its relevance today. How often do we find ourselves upholding traditions that, while comfortable and familiar, might actually be preventing us from fulfilling our allegiance and obedience to God? Like those religious leaders of old, we might be excellent navigators of our traditional practices while missing the deeper current of compassion and obedience that should guide our actions.
Just as every river eventually seeks its true path, our traditions must ultimately serve, not subvert, the timeless commandments they were meant to preserve and transmit. Otherwise, we risk creating elaborate systems of practice that leave the heart of faith as dry as a riverbed that once flowed freely.
Our Action Plan
Now it’s time for application. Here’s some ideas;
Do a personal inventory of your “traditions.” Are they truly fulfilling the original intent?
Do a Bible study on what Jesus and Paul said about tradition with those you are discipling.
As you look at Scripture, make a distinction between Principles and Methods. Principles should drive the method, never methods the principles.
Traditions, like rivers, should flow with life-giving purpose, not dam up our obedience to God’s commands. Let’s ensure our practices channel divine love freely, rather than diverting it for human convenience.
Cuando la tradición se desmorona – 103
¡Bienvenidos nuevamente! Hoy, analizaremos los Evangelios de Mateo, Marcos y Juan para ver qué piensa Jesús sobre las tradiciones que prevalecen sobre los mandamientos de Dios.
Comencemos.
Mateo 15:1-9, Marcos 7:1-13, Juan 7:1
Después de esto, Jesús viajó por toda Galilea. No quería viajar por Judea, porque los judíos de allí estaban tratando de matarlo. Entonces algunos fariseos y escribas vinieron a Jesús desde Jerusalén y se reunieron alrededor de Él. Y vieron a algunos de Sus discípulos comiendo con manos impuras, es decir, sin lavar. Ahora bien, según la tradición de los ancianos, los fariseos y todos los judíos no comen sin lavarse las manos ceremonialmente. Y al regresar del mercado, no comen sin lavarse. Y hay muchas otras tradiciones que ellos deben observar, incluyendo el lavamiento de vasos, jarras, teteras y lechos para comer.
Entonces los fariseos y escribas preguntaron a Jesús: “¿Por qué Tus discípulos quebrantan la tradición de los ancianos y no andan conforme a ellos? No se lavan las manos antes de comer. En cambio, comen con manos impuras”.
Jesús les respondió: «Hipócritas, bien profetizó Isaías de vosotros, como está escrito:
“Este pueblo me honra con los labios, pero su corazón está lejos de mí. Me rinden culto en vano; enseñan como doctrina preceptos de hombres”.
Habéis dejado de lado el mandamiento de Dios de guardar la tradición de los hombres. ¿Por qué, pues, quebrantáis el mandamiento de Dios por vuestra tradición?»
Habéis dejado de lado el mandamiento de Dios para guardar vuestra propia tradición. Pues Dios dijo por medio de Moisés: “Honra a tu padre y a tu madre”, y: “El que maldiga a su padre o a su madre será condenado a muerte”. Pero vosotros decís que si alguien dice a su padre o a su madre: “Todo lo que quisieras recibir de mí es Corbán (es decir, un regalo consagrado a Dios), ya no le está permitido hacer nada por su padre o por su madre. De este modo, anuláis la palabra de Dios con la tradición que habéis transmitido. Y lo mismo hacéis en muchas cosas como éstas».
Mis Pensamientos
Pensemos en cómo las tradiciones a veces pueden ir en contra de su propósito original, como cuando los hombres sobredimensionan un río caudaloso. Así como un río desviado puede dejar su lecho natural seco y sin vida, las tradiciones creadas por el hombre a veces pueden quitarle vida a los mandamientos de Dios.
Pensemos en la antigua práctica del “Corbán” mencionada en el pasaje bíblico. Se trataba de una tradición que, en la superficie, parecía honrar a Dios mediante ofrendas dedicadas, pero en la práctica creaba un vacío legal que permitía a las personas eludir su responsabilidad básica de cuidar a sus padres ancianos. Es como construir una presa que redirige el agua vivificante de un río lejos de las comunidades que dependen de ella, todo mientras se afirma que “mejora la gestión del agua”.
Este ejemplo revela una distinción crucial: no todas las tradiciones cumplen su propósito original. Mientras que algunas tradiciones transmiten valores vitales como los ríos que transportan agua, otras pueden convertirse en estanques estancados que atrapan y distorsionan el flujo original de la sabiduría divina. Los líderes religiosos de la época habían creado un intrincado delta de reglas y tradiciones que, en lugar de expresar claramente los mandamientos de Dios, los enterraban bajo capas de interpretación humana y motivos nefastos.
La advertencia aquí es clara: cuando nuestras tradiciones comienzan a contradecir o reemplazar obligaciones morales fundamentales, hemos perdido el rumbo. Es como un río que ha sido diseñado de manera tan exhaustiva que ya no cumple su propósito esencial de sustentar la vida a lo largo de sus orillas. Los líderes religiosos se habían convertido en navegantes tan hábiles de sus reglas tradicionales que habían olvidado el destino: mostrar amor y honor tanto a Dios como a las personas.
La tradición no tiene por objeto ser un sistema inteligente para eludir las obligaciones morales, sino más bien un canal a través del cual las verdades eternas pueden fluir libremente de una generación a la siguiente. Así como un sistema fluvial saludable necesita la limpieza regular de obstáculos y la restauración de los flujos naturales, nuestras tradiciones necesitan un examen constante para asegurar que no estén obstaculizando los mismos valores que se supone que deben transmitir.
La solución no es abandonar por completo la tradición, pues eso sería como intentar vivir sin ríos. En cambio, debemos asegurarnos de que nuestras tradiciones permanezcan fieles a su fuente, permitiendo que el amor divino fluya libremente a través de ellas en lugar de desviarse por conveniencia humana. Cuando las tradiciones comienzan a obstruir en lugar de facilitar nuestra capacidad de honrar a Dios y cuidar de los demás, es hora de despejar el canal y dejar que el flujo original reanude su curso.
Mi Historia
¿Cuánto tiempo se necesita para que una buena práctica se convierta en una tradición que corre el riesgo de perder su propósito? ¿Puede suceder en seis meses? ¡Puede apostar a que sí! Deb y yo conocimos un método para compartir el evangelio que no solo era eficaz, sino que se volvió viral. La gente lo usaba en todo el mundo en varios idiomas y era embriagadoramente emocionante. Pero algo comenzó a suceder muy rápidamente que empañó nuestro entusiasmo. Sin que la gente reconociera sus acciones, se convirtió en “LA” manera de compartir. Comenzaron a promocionar el método como la “bala de plata”. Incluso hubo casos en los que la gente se resintió cuando alguien sugirió otra manera de compartir el evangelio. El orgullo se había infiltrado y había hecho su sucio daño a lo que comenzó tan bien. Y sí, solo tomó seis meses.
El aspecto más llamativo de este error es su relevancia hoy. ¿Con qué frecuencia nos encontramos defendiendo tradiciones que, aunque cómodas y familiares, en realidad podrían estar impidiéndonos cumplir con nuestra lealtad y obediencia a Dios? Al igual que aquellos líderes religiosos de la antigüedad, podemos ser excelentes navegantes de nuestras prácticas tradicionales, pero perder de vista la corriente más profunda de compasión y obediencia que debería guiar nuestras acciones.
Así como todo río finalmente busca su verdadero camino, nuestras tradiciones deben, en última instancia, servir, y no subvertir, los mandamientos eternos que se suponía que debían preservar y transmitir. De lo contrario, corremos el riesgo de crear sistemas elaborados de práctica que dejan el corazón de la fe tan seco como el lecho de un río que alguna vez fluyó libremente.
Nuestro Plan de Acción
Ahora es el momento de ponerlas en práctica. Aquí tienes algunas ideas:
Haz un inventario personal de tus “tradiciones”. ¿Están cumpliendo verdaderamente la intención original?
Haz un estudio bíblico sobre lo que dijeron Jesús y Pablo acerca de la tradición con aquellos a quienes estás discipulando.
Al examinar las Escrituras, haz una distinción entre principios y métodos. Los principios deben impulsar el método, nunca los métodos los principios.
Las tradiciones, como los ríos, deben fluir con un propósito vivificante, no obstaculizar nuestra obediencia a los mandamientos de Dios. Asegurémonos de que nuestras prácticas canalicen libremente el amor divino, en lugar de desviarlo para la conveniencia humana.
Si ve un problema importante en la traducción, envíeme una corrección por correo electrónico a charleswood1@gmail.com
Matthew 14:15-21, Mark 6:35–44, Luke 9:12–17, John 6:5–13
By now the hour was already late and the day neared its end. When Jesus looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward Him. So the twelve disciples came to Jesus and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is already late. Dismiss the crowds so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside for lodging and provisions for themselves. For we are in a desolate place here.”
“They do not need to go away,” Jesus replied. “You give them something to eat.” He said to Philip, “Where can we buy bread for these people to eat?” But He was asking this to test him, for He knew what He was about to do. Philip answered, “Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to have a small piece.”
“Go and see how many loaves you have,” He told them. And after checking, one of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him, “Here is a boy with five barley loaves and two small fish. But what difference will these make among so many unless we go and buy food for all these people?”
“Bring them here to Me,” Jesus said. Then Jesus directed His disciples to have the people sit down in groups of about a hundred or fifty each on the green grass (now there was plenty of grass in that place). So the men sat down, about five thousand of them.
Then Jesus took the five loaves and the two fish, He gave thanks and spoke a blessing. Then He broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people, as much as they wanted. And He divided the two fish among them all. They all ate and were satisfied and full. Jesus said to His disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over, so that nothing will be wasted.” The disciples picked up and filled twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of the barley bread and fish that were left over by those who had eaten. About five thousand men were fed, in addition to women and children.
My Thoughts
A lot of disciple-making treasures are lost in the spectacular. This event is a case in point. Most of us would see and teach on the feeding of 5000 people. But in focusing on the miracle of the loaves and fish we might completely miss the pure genius of the Master Disciple-Maker. The genius you ask? It was testing Philip with a problem that only significant faith in God could solve.
Jesus gives the disciples a command to feed the hungry throng. Then He turns to Philip and asks a question meant to test the young apprentice; “Where can we buy bread for these people to eat?” I can picture Philip’s response in my mind. “What? Who, me?! You’re asking me where we are going to buy bread for all these people!?”
And then once the Master Disciple-Maker has created enough tension, He models what it looks like to have the kind of faith in the Father to pull off such a miracle. And here’s the kicker. I think Jesus really expected us to not only believe that He could do the miracle but He expects us to have enough faith in the Father for us to do the miracle ourselves. That’s the true test in Jesus’ discipleship.
Am I suggesting you need to test those you are discipling? Do you want to be like Jesus? Make disciples like Jesus? Then, yes, I am.
My Story
I have a saying: “Sling him in the breach.” For those unfamiliar, a breach is a gap or opening created in our fortification or defensive line, usually resulting from an enemy attack. In military contexts, this breach allows attacking forces to rush in and potentially overcome the defender’s position.
When I say “Sling him in the breach,” I mean we should actively seek out risky situations and intentionally place our emerging leaders in those challenging gaps. This approach generates a significant level of spiritual tension, compelling them to trust in God. It serves as a strategy to test both their faith and their resilience.
I actually do this all the time. Most recently, Deb and I were training a church on how to engage strangers in conversation and then share our testimony. We were doing this at several different levels all at once. Sound confusing? Let me explain.
We had a young single guy that we had trained the week before so he was only one step ahead of the other folks we were modeling for on this particular Sunday. Being short on laborers, we asked the single guy to go with two people and model what we had modeled for him the week before. Sling him in the breach number one.
Then, after I had modeled for two guys, I immediately turned to them and asked “Ok, who’s going to go next?” They both looked shocked that I would put the ball in their court so quickly. One, mustering up his courage, volunteered. Sling him in the breach number two.
And then at the end of our foray into the harvest, I designated a young budding leader to do the debrief of our evangelistic efforts. Sling him in the breach number three.
You might say that these tests were simply delegation before the delegate felt confident and you would be right. That’s exactly what Jesus did with Philip and the rest of His disciples. I think He’s still doing it today.
Our Action Plan
Now it’s time for application. Here’s some ideas;
Reflect on Past Experiences: Recall times when leaders entrusted you with responsibilities that required you to trust God for the outcomes.
Delegate with Purpose: After training, intentionally place a young leader in charge of a task that will challenge their faith and growth.
Assess Your Delegation Skills: Give yourself a grade as a delegator and set goals to improve over the next month.
The art of discipleship involves strategically challenging emerging leaders to grow in faith, capability, and capacity. By following Jesus’ example of testing His disciples, we can cultivate resilient, God-dependent leaders who are prepared to face the challenges of ministry and life.
La prueba del discipulado – 96
¡Bienvenidos de nuevo! Hoy, analizaremos los cuatro Evangelios para ver cómo Jesús puso a prueba a sus discípulos.
Comencemos.
Mateo 14:15-21, Marcos 6:35-44, Lucas 9:12-17, Juan 6:5-13
Ya era tarde y el día estaba por terminar. Cuando Jesús levantó la vista, vio que una gran multitud venía hacia él. Los doce discípulos se acercaron a Jesús y le dijeron: «Este lugar es desolado y la hora ya está avanzada. Despide a la multitud para que se vaya a los pueblos y campos de los alrededores a buscar alojamiento y comida, porque estamos en un lugar desolado».
Jesús les respondió: «No tienen por qué irse. Dales tú de comer». Entonces le preguntó a Felipe: «¿Dónde podemos comprar pan para que coman estos?». Pero Jesús le preguntó esto para ponerlo a prueba, porque sabía lo que iba a hacer. Felipe le respondió: «Doscientos denarios no bastarían para que cada uno de ellos comiera un pedazo».
Jesús les dijo: «Vayan y vean cuántos panes tienen». Después de comprobarlo, uno de sus discípulos, Andrés, hermano de Simón Pedro, le dijo: «Aquí hay un muchacho que tiene cinco panes de cebada y dos pececillos. Pero ¿qué diferencia habrá entre tanta gente, si no vamos a comprar alimentos para toda esta gente?»
«Traédmelos aquí», dijo Jesús. Entonces Jesús ordenó a sus discípulos que hicieran que la gente se sentara en grupos de unos ciento o cincuenta cada uno sobre la hierba verde (pues había mucha hierba en ese lugar). Así que se sentaron los hombres, unos cinco mil.
Entonces Jesús tomó los cinco panes y los dos peces, dio gracias y pronunció una bendición. Luego partió los panes y se los dio a los discípulos, y los discípulos se los dieron a la gente, según lo que quisieron. Luego repartió los dos peces entre todos. Todos comieron y quedaron saciados y satisfechos. Jesús dijo a sus discípulos: «Recoged los pedazos que sobraron, para que no se desperdicie nada». Los discípulos recogieron los pedazos de pan de cebada y de pescado que sobraron a los que habían comido y llenaron doce cestas. Fueron alimentados unos cinco mil hombres, además de las mujeres y los niños.
Mis Pensamientos
Muchos tesoros de la formación de discípulos se pierden en lo espectacular. Este evento es un buen ejemplo. La mayoría de nosotros veríamos y enseñaríamos acerca de la alimentación de 5000 personas. Pero al centrarnos en el milagro de los panes y los peces, podríamos pasar por alto por completo el genio puro del Maestro Hacedor de Discípulos. ¿El genio, te preguntarás? Estaba probando a Felipe con un problema que solo una fe significativa en Dios podría resolver.
Jesús da a los discípulos una orden de alimentar a la multitud hambrienta. Luego se vuelve hacia Felipe y le hace una pregunta destinada a poner a prueba al joven aprendiz: “¿Dónde podemos comprar pan para que coman estas personas?”. Puedo imaginar la respuesta de Felipe en mi mente. “¿Qué? ¿Quién, yo? ¿Me estás preguntando dónde vamos a comprar pan para todas estas personas?”.
Y luego, una vez que el Maestro Hacedor de Discípulos ha creado suficiente tensión, modela lo que significa tener el tipo de fe en el Padre para lograr semejante milagro. Y aquí está el truco. Creo que Jesús realmente esperaba que no solo creyéramos que Él podía hacer el milagro, sino que también esperaba que tuviéramos suficiente fe en el Padre para que nosotros mismos hiciéramos el milagro. Esa es la verdadera prueba del discipulado de Jesús.
¿Estoy sugiriendo que necesitas poner a prueba a aquellos a quienes estás discipulando? ¿Quieres ser como Jesús? ¿Hacer discípulos como Jesús? Entonces, sí, lo estoy haciendo.
Mi Historia
Tengo un dicho: “Lánzalo a la brecha”. Para aquellos que no lo conocen, una brecha es una brecha o abertura creada en nuestra fortificación o línea defensiva, generalmente como resultado de un ataque enemigo. En contextos militares, esta brecha permite que las fuerzas atacantes ingresen rápidamente y potencialmente superen la posición del defensor.
Cuando digo “Lánzalo a la brecha”, quiero decir que debemos buscar activamente situaciones de riesgo y colocar intencionalmente a nuestros líderes emergentes en esas brechas desafiantes. Este enfoque genera un nivel significativo de tensión espiritual, lo que los obliga a confiar en Dios. Sirve como una estrategia para probar tanto su fe como su resiliencia.
De hecho, hago esto todo el tiempo. Más recientemente, Deb y yo estábamos capacitando a una iglesia sobre cómo entablar una conversación con extraños y luego compartir nuestro testimonio. Estábamos haciendo esto en varios niveles diferentes a la vez. ¿Suena confuso? Déjame explicarte.
Teníamos un joven soltero al que habíamos capacitado la semana anterior, por lo que estaba solo un paso por delante de las otras personas para las que estábamos modelando ese domingo en particular. Como no teníamos suficientes obreros, le pedimos al hombre soltero que fuera con dos personas y que siguiera el ejemplo que le habíamos dado la semana anterior. Primero, lánzalo a la brecha.
Luego, después de haberle dado el ejemplo a dos hombres, inmediatamente me volví hacia ellos y les pregunté: “Bien, ¿quién va a ir después?”. Ambos se sorprendieron de que yo les pusiera la pelota en la cancha tan rápidamente. Uno, reuniendo su coraje, se ofreció como voluntario. Después, lánzalo a la brecha número dos.
Y luego, al final de nuestra incursión en la cosecha, designé a un joven líder en ciernes para que hiciera el informe de nuestros esfuerzos evangelísticos. Después, lánzalo a la brecha número tres.
Podría decir que estas pruebas fueron simplemente una delegación antes de que el delegado se sintiera seguro y estaría en lo cierto. Eso es exactamente lo que Jesús hizo con Felipe y el resto de sus discípulos. Creo que todavía lo está haciendo hoy.
Nuestro Plan de Acción
Ahora es el momento de ponerlo en práctica. A continuación, se ofrecen algunas ideas:
Reflexione sobre experiencias pasadas: recuerde momentos en los que los líderes le confiaron responsabilidades que requerían que confiara en Dios para obtener los resultados.
Delegue con un propósito: después de la capacitación, coloque intencionalmente a un líder joven a cargo de una tarea que desafiará su fe y su crecimiento.
Evalúe sus habilidades para delegar: califíquese como delegador y establezca metas para mejorar durante el próximo mes.
El arte del discipulado implica desafiar estratégicamente a los líderes emergentes para que crezcan en fe, capacidad y aptitud. Al seguir el ejemplo de Jesús de poner a prueba a sus discípulos, podemos cultivar líderes resilientes y dependientes de Dios que estén preparados para enfrentar los desafíos del ministerio y de la vida.
Si ve un problema importante en la traducción, envíeme una corrección por correo electrónico a charleswood1@gmail.com
Welcome Back! Today, we’ll be looking at the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke to see how Jesus developed His disciples as leaders by rapidly delegating authority and responsibility.
And calling His twelve disciples to Him, Jesus gave them power and authority over all demons (unclean spirits), so that they could drive them out and power to heal every disease and sickness. And He sent them out two by two to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.
These are the names of the twelve apostles: first Simon, called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus. These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go onto the road of the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.
My Thoughts
Last time we talked about the shortage of laborers and how Jesus worked at solving that problem. But there’s something else that is unique about Jesus’ leadership style when it comes to developing laborers for the harvest. Jesus delegates power and authority pretty quickly. If you’ve been reading the Gospels for any length of time, you may have noticed that the Twelve were not the most stellar group of young leaders to entrust with such a significant mission. They still want to call hellfire and brimstone on the Samaritans and figure out who among them is at the top of the pecking order. No, these guys are still very raw. But Jesus knows something about developing these fledgling laborers into the future stalwart leaders they are destined to become. He put the heavy load of responsibility on their shoulders early in the ball game. Like my friend Jeff Sundell says, “Responsibility is like fertilizer helping young leaders to grow faster and stronger.” Is it messy? Is it risky? You bet! But is it worth it? You better believe it! Just look at Jesus’ results.
My Story
I once had a ministry partner ask the question; “How in the world do you put up with so much mess in your ministry?” My answer was simple; “Delegation is messy business but worth the clean up.” Young leaders make mistakes, they become proud or deflated at the drop of a hat, and they can over or under shepherd the flock pretty easily. And that’s why most leaders don’t delegate. Their motto is; “Kids don’t try this at home. Leave it to the professionals.”
But how did these “professionals” learn to do what they are doing in ministry? Two ways. They either had a mentor that gave them authority and responsibility knowing there would be messes to clean up along the way. Or they had to learn on their own, mistake after mistake, making the learning process exponentially longer. Everyone is going to make mistakes and errors. The question is; Are you walking with someone that you are mentoring, delegating, guiding and coaching them in the ways of Jesus? And if they veer off the path, do you help them get back on track?
It reminds me of Proverbs 14:4;
Where no oxen are, the manger is clean, But much revenue comes by the strength of the ox.
If you don’t have an ox, you don’t have to clean up ox poo. If you don’t develop leaders, you don’t have to clean up leader poo. But there is great advantage in having both an ox and leaders who can share the load with you.
Our Action Plan
Now we’ll look at some ideas on how to help us delegate authority and responsibility to those we are discipling.
Answer these questions;
What responsibilities do we typically associate with professional ministers that the Bible doesn’t explicitly restrict to professionals?
What tasks or responsibilities am I hesitant to delegate, and why?
What steps can I take to build confidence in those I’m training for leadership roles?
Create a list of tasks or projects you should delegate within the next two weeks to improve efficiency and development of those you are discipling.
Effective delegation is not just about offloading tasks, but about fostering growth and maturity in those we lead. By entrusting responsibilities to others, even when it’s messy, we follow Jesus’ example of developing leaders who can carry forward the mission with confidence and competence.
Delegación = Maduración – 89
¡Bienvenidos nuevamente! Hoy, analizaremos los Evangelios de Mateo, Marcos y Lucas para ver cómo Jesús desarrolló a sus discípulos como líderes al delegar rápidamente autoridad y responsabilidad.
Comencemos.
Mateo 10:1-8, Marcos 6:7, Lucas 9:1-2
Y llamando a sus doce discípulos, les dio poder y autoridad sobre todos los demonios (espíritus inmundos), para que los expulsasen, y poder para sanar toda enfermedad y dolencia. Y los envió de dos en dos a predicar el reino de Dios y a sanar a los enfermos.
Estos son los nombres de los doce apóstoles: primero Simón, llamado Pedro, y su hermano Andrés; Jacobo hijo de Zebedeo, y su hermano Juan; Felipe y Bartolomé; Tomás y Mateo el recaudador de impuestos; Jacobo hijo de Alfeo, y Tadeo; Simón el Zelote, y Judas Iscariote, el que traicionó a Jesús. A estos doce envió Jesús con las siguientes instrucciones: «No vayáis por el camino de los gentiles, ni entréis en ciudad de samaritanos. Id más bien a las ovejas perdidas de Israel. Por el camino, predicad este mensaje: «El reino de los cielos está cerca. Sanad enfermos, resucitad muertos, limpiad leprosos, expulsad demonios. De gracia recibisteis, dad de gracia.»
Mis Pensamientos
La última vez hablamos de la escasez de obreros y de cómo Jesús se esforzo para resolver ese problema. Pero hay algo más que es único en el estilo de liderazgo de Jesús cuando se trata de desarrollar obreros para la cosecha. Jesús delega poder y autoridad con bastante rapidez. Si has estado leyendo los Evangelios durante algún tiempo, es posible que hayas notado que los Doce no eran el grupo más estelar de líderes jóvenes a los que se les podía confiar una misión tan importante. Todavía quieren invocar el fuego del infierno y el azufre sobre los samaritanos y averiguar quién de ellos está en la cima de la jerarquía. No, estos muchachos todavía son muy inexpertos. Pero Jesús sabe algo sobre cómo desarrollar a estos obreros novatos para que se conviertan en los futuros líderes incondicionales que están destinados a ser. Puso la pesada carga de la responsabilidad sobre sus hombros desde el principio. Como dice mi amigo Jeff Sundell: “La responsabilidad es como el fertilizante que ayuda a los líderes jóvenes a crecer más rápido y más fuertes”. ¿Es desordenado? ¿Es arriesgado? ¡Por supuesto! Pero ¿vale la pena? ¡Más vale que lo creas! Basta con mirar los resultados de Jesús.
Mi Historia
Una vez, un compañero de ministerio me preguntó: “¿Cómo es posible que puedas soportar tanto desorden en tu ministerio?” Mi respuesta fue sencilla: “Delegar es un asunto complicado, pero vale la pena el arreglo”. Los líderes jóvenes cometen errores, se enorgullecen o se desaniman en un abrir y cerrar de ojos, y pueden pastorear demasiado o demasiado poco al rebaño con bastante facilidad. Y es por eso que la mayoría de los líderes no delegan. Su lema es: “Los niños no intentan hacer esto en casa. Déjalo en manos de los profesionales”.
Pero, ¿cómo aprendieron estos “profesionales” a hacer lo que están haciendo en el ministerio? De dos maneras. O tenían un mentor que les dio autoridad y responsabilidad sabiendo que habría desorden que arreglar en el camino. O tuvieron que aprender por su cuenta, error tras error, lo que hizo que el proceso de aprendizaje fuera exponencialmente más largo. Todos vamos a cometer errores y equivocaciones. La pregunta es: ¿estás caminando con alguien a quien estás asesorando, delegando, guiando y entrenando en los caminos de Jesús? Y si se desvían del camino, ¿les ayudas a volver al buen camino?
Me recuerda Proverbios 14:4
Sin bueyes el granero está vacío; mas por la fuerza del buey hay abundancia de pan.
Si no tienes un buey, no tienes que limpiar el excremento del buey. Si no desarrollas líderes, no tienes que arreglar el desórden del líder. Pero hay una gran ventaja en tener un buey y líderes que puedan compartir la carga contigo.
Nuestro Plan de Acción
Ahora veremos algunas ideas sobre cómo ayudarnos a delegar autoridad y responsabilidad a aquellos a quienes estamos discipulando.
Responda estas preguntas:
¿Qué responsabilidades solemos asociar con los ministros profesionales que la Biblia no las restringe explícitamente a los profesionales?
¿Qué tareas o responsabilidades dudo en delegar y por qué?
¿Qué pasos puedo dar para generar confianza en aquellos a quienes estoy capacitando para roles de liderazgo?
Haz una lista de tareas o proyectos que se deberías delegar en las próximas dos semanas para mejorar la eficiencia y el desarrollo de aquellos a quienes estás discipulando.
La delegación eficaz no se trata solo de delegar tareas, sino de fomentar el crecimiento y la madurez en aquellos a quienes dirigimos. Al confiar responsabilidades a otros, incluso cuando es complicado, seguimos el ejemplo de Jesús de desarrollar líderes que puedan llevar adelante la misión con confianza y competencia.
ToBeLikeJesus 