On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood up and called out in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said: ‘Streams of living water will flow from within him.’” He was speaking about the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were later to receive. For the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet been glorified. On hearing these words, some of the people said, “This is truly the Prophet.” Others declared, “This is the Christ.” But still others asked, “How can the Christ come from Galilee? Doesn’t the Scripture say that the Christ will come from the line of David and from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?” So there was division in the crowd because of Jesus. Some of them wanted to seize Him, but no one laid a hand on Him.
My Thoughts
Jesus provides us with a spiritual sustenance that no one else can give. Here He promises “Living Waters” flowing from within those who come to Him. Of course He’s talking about the coming of the Holy Spirit in this passage but Jesus makes many such references to spiritual food and drink coming from a relationship with Him. Earlier in John, He told the woman at the well He would give her living waters if she simply asked for it. (John 4:7-14) In the same chapter when His disciples offer Him food, He replies, “I have food to eat that you do not know about. My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work.” (John 4:31-34) Two chapters later He says, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.” (John 6:35) And in Matthew 4:4 He says, “It is written, ‘MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.’”
There is a spiritual sustenance that is, do I dare say, more important than physical nourishment. Jesus not only modeled this, He promises and provides this spiritual food and drink. How does one appropriate such provisions? By relating, by abiding in Jesus. It comes through His Word and His Spirit. It comes with faith and obedience. It comes by our asking and His giving.
Oftentimes, spiritual leaders unwittingly get in the way of this sustenance. By constantly feeding people their predigested food they treat people like baby birds, regurgitating on them what is now missing a vital nutrient called “self-discovery.” Instead of teaching the flock to seek Jesus on their own, we have created an unhealthy dependency. The spiritual leader is expected to spoon feed the sheep when they should be learning how to feed themselves. As disciple makers this is one of our highest priorities, to teach people to feast on spiritual food and drink for themselves in their relationship with Christ. We want to exhort them to read the Scriptures for themselves and obey them in love for God. We want them to seek the Lord in a vibrant prayer life. We want to help every disciple to become a self-feeder.
My Story
One of the greatest gifts I was given as a baby Christian was the exhortation to read the Scriptures and pray daily. A guy named Randy would meet with me regularly and ask me, “What are you getting out of the Word?” The lion share of our discussions were centered around what God was saying to us and how we were applying it to our lives. Not only have I been in the Word daily for 45+ years but I have been allowing it to shape and transform my character and actions. I have no clue where I would be today had Randy not taken the time to mentor me this way. In fact I have been asking other men the same question since he modeled it for me in the early ‘80s. He taught me to be a self-feeder from the very beginning. What are you getting out of the Word?
The second thing I needed to learn was the answer to this question; “What are you hearing from the Holy Spirit?” I learned this from the very Scriptures I was reading. I had to distinguish between what I might be telling myself and what was coming from God. As I saturated myself in the Scriptures and prayer, it became easier to tell the difference. Through experience and practice I’ve gotten better at hearing from the Spirit.
Now a tip for disciple makers. I almost always ask people what they are getting out of the Word but for a season I would ask people what they were hearing from God. It was a challenge to get new disciples to read the Word on a consistent basis. But it was interesting anytime I asked someone what they were hearing from God they would always have an answer. On the surface that sounds wonderful but with some of the answers I was getting I wondered if it was indeed from the Holy Spirit or from another spirit. People who are not knee deep in their Bibles are very susceptible to the lies of the enemy. They have a hard time distinguishing the voices in their head. The Scriptures are the best way to authenticate the things we hear. The Holy Spirit and the Bible will always be in alignment with one another.
Here’s another important pointer I’ve learned as a disciple maker; I make a very poor “Junior Holy Spirit” and an even worse “Jesus.” As mentors we can make the easy mistake of causing an unhealthy dependency on us rather than God. I try to always point people back to God for the answers and authority in their lives. Get them in the Bible for themselves. Teach them how to recognize the Holy Spirit’s voice. Always have this caveat, “Take what I say with a grain of salt. Do what Jesus tells you to do.”
Our Action Plan
Now it’s time for application. Here’s some ideas;
Have a simple plan to help people read the Bible and pray daily
Ask them “What are you getting out of the Word?”
Ask them “How do you distinguish between the voice of the Holy Spirit and other voices?”
It is essential that disciple makers are making disciples of Jesus and not themselves. The best way to do that is by getting people in the Word for themselves and listening to the Holy Spirit. This creates a healthy mentoring relationship that always points them to the One who provides the real spiritual sustenance.
Organic Writing – No Artificial Intelligence or Sweeteners Added
¡Bienvenidos de nuevo! Hoy analizaremos el Evangelio de Juan para ver qué sustento espiritual nos ofrece.
Comencemos.
Juan 7:37-44
En el último y gran día de la fiesta, Jesús se puso de pie y exclamó a gran voz: «Si alguno tiene sed, venga a mí y beba. El que cree en mí, como dice la Escritura: “De su interior correrán ríos de agua viva”». Hablaba del Espíritu, que más tarde recibirían los que creyeran en él. Pues el Espíritu aún no había sido dado, porque Jesús aún no había sido glorificado. Al oír estas palabras, algunos decían: «Verdaderamente este es el profeta». Otros decían: «Este es el Cristo». Pero otros preguntaban: «¿Cómo puede venir el Cristo de Galilea? ¿No dice la Escritura que el Cristo vendrá del linaje de David y de Belén, la aldea donde vivía David?». Así que hubo división entre la multitud a causa de Jesús. Algunos querían prenderle, pero nadie le echó mano.
Mis Pensamientos
Jesús nos provee de un sustento espiritual que nadie más puede dar. Aquí promete “Aguas Vivas” que fluyen desde el interior de quienes acuden a Él. Por supuesto, en este pasaje habla de la venida del Espíritu Santo, pero Jesús hace muchas referencias similares al alimento y la bebida espirituales que provienen de una relación con Él. Anteriormente en Juan, le dijo a la mujer junto al pozo que le daría agua viva si simplemente la pedía (Juan 4:7-14). En el mismo capítulo, cuando sus discípulos le ofrecen comida, él responde: “Yo tengo una comida que comer que ustedes no conocen. Mi comida es hacer la voluntad del que me envió y llevar a cabo su obra” (Juan 4:31-34). Dos capítulos más adelante, dice: “Yo soy el pan de vida; el que a mí viene, no tendrá hambre, y el que en mí cree, no tendrá sed jamás”. (Juan 6:35) Y en Mateo 4:4 dice: “Escrito está: ‘NO SOLO DE PAN VIVIRÁ EL HOMBRE, SINO DE TODA PALABRA QUE SALE DE LA BOCA DE DIOS’”.
Existe un sustento espiritual que es, me atrevo a decir, más importante que el alimento físico. Jesús no solo lo modeló, sino que promete y provee este alimento y bebida espiritual. ¿Cómo podemos apropiarnos de estas provisiones? Relacionándonos con Él, permaneciendo en Él. Viene a través de Su Palabra y Su Espíritu. Viene con fe y obediencia. Viene por nuestras peticiones y Su dádiva.
A menudo, los líderes espirituales, sin darse cuenta, obstaculizan este sustento. Al alimentar constantemente a las personas con su comida predigerida, las tratan como pajaritos, regurgitándoles lo que ahora les falta: un nutriente vital llamado «autodescubrimiento». En lugar de enseñar al rebaño a buscar a Jesús por sí solo, hemos creado una dependencia malsana. Se espera que el líder espiritual alimente a las ovejas con cuchara cuando deberían estar aprendiendo a alimentarse a sí mismas. Como hacedores de discípulos, esta es una de nuestras mayores prioridades: enseñar a las personas a deleitarse con el alimento y la bebida espirituales para sí mismas en su relación con Cristo. Queremos exhortarlas a leer las Escrituras por sí mismas y obedecerlas con amor a Dios. Queremos que busquen al Señor en una vida de oración vibrante. Queremos ayudar a cada discípulo a alimentarse a sí mismo.
Mi Historia
Uno de los mayores regalos que recibí cuando era un cristiano incipiente fue la exhortación a leer las Escrituras y orar a diario. Un hombre llamado Randy se reunía conmigo con regularidad y me preguntaba: “¿Qué te aporta la Palabra?”. La mayor parte de nuestras conversaciones se centraban en lo que Dios nos decía y cómo lo aplicábamos a nuestras vidas. No solo he estado en la Palabra a diario durante más de 45 años, sino que también he permitido que moldee y transforme mi carácter y mis acciones. No tengo ni idea de dónde estaría hoy si Randy no se hubiera tomado el tiempo de guiarme de esta manera. De hecho, le he estado haciendo a otros hombres la misma pregunta desde que él me la enseñó a principios de los 80. Me enseñó a alimentarme por mí mismo desde el principio. ¿Qué te aporta la Palabra?
Lo segundo que necesitaba aprender era la respuesta a esta pregunta: “¿Qué estás escuchando del Espíritu Santo?”. Aprendí esto de las mismas Escrituras que leía. Tenía que distinguir entre lo que me decía a mí mismo y lo que venía de Dios. A medida que me empapé de las Escrituras y la oración, me fue más fácil distinguir la diferencia. Con la experiencia y la práctica, he mejorado mi capacidad para escuchar al Espíritu.
Un consejo para quienes hacen discípulos: casi siempre pregunto a la gente qué perciben de la Palabra, pero durante un tiempo les pregunté qué escuchaban de Dios. Era un reto conseguir que los nuevos discípulos leyeran la Palabra con regularidad. Pero era interesante que cada vez que le preguntaba a alguien qué escuchaba de Dios, siempre recibía una respuesta. A primera vista, suena maravilloso, pero con algunas de las respuestas que recibía, me preguntaba si provenía realmente del Espíritu Santo o de otro espíritu. Las personas que no están inmersas en la Biblia son muy susceptibles a las mentiras del enemigo. Les cuesta distinguir las voces en su cabeza. Las Escrituras son la mejor manera de confirmar lo que escuchamos. El Espíritu Santo y la Biblia siempre estarán en sintonía.
Aquí hay otro consejo importante que he aprendido como hacedor de discípulos: Soy un pésimo “Espíritu Santo Menor” y un “Jesús” aún peor. Como mentores, podemos cometer el error de crear una dependencia malsana de nosotros mismos en lugar de Dios. Siempre intento guiar a las personas hacia Dios para que encuentren las respuestas y la autoridad en sus vidas. Que se adentren en la Biblia por sí mismos. Enséñenles a reconocer la voz del Espíritu Santo. Siempre tengan esta advertencia: “Tomen lo que digo con pinzas. Hagan lo que Jesús les dice”.
Nuestro Plan de Acción
Ahora es momento de aplicarlo. Aquí tienes algunas ideas:
Ten un plan sencillo para ayudar a las personas a leer la Biblia y orar a diario.
Pregúntales: “¿Qué te aporta la Palabra?”.
Pregúntales: “¿Cómo distingues la voz del Espíritu Santo de otras voces?”.
Es esencial que quienes hacen discípulos hagan discípulos de Jesús, no de sí mismos. La mejor manera de lograrlo es involucrando a las personas en la Palabra por sí mismas y escuchando al Espíritu Santo. Esto crea una sana relación de mentoría que siempre las guía hacia Aquel que proporciona el verdadero sustento espiritual.
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 Gospel of John to see the courage of Jesus and answer the question, “Where did all that courage come from?”
Then some of the people of Jerusalem began to say, “Isn’t this the man they are trying to kill? Yet here He is, speaking publicly, and they are not saying anything to Him. Have the rulers truly recognized that this is the Christ? But we know where this man is from. When the Christ comes, no one will know where He is from.” Then Jesus, still teaching in the temple courts, cried out, “You know Me, and you know where I am from. I have not come of My own accord, but He who sent Me is true. You do not know Him, but I know Him, because I am from Him and He sent Me.” So they tried to seize Him, but no one laid a hand on Him, because His hour had not yet come. Many in the crowd, however, believed in Him and said, “When the Christ comes, will He perform more signs than this man?”
My Thoughts
Jesus marches right into the proverbial lion’s den. He knew the rumors were true because the Father had told Him as much beforehand. (Matthew 17:22-23) And yet, even with that knowledge He faces danger head on. What gave Him such courage? I can think of several things.
He loved the Father. (Mark 12:30)
He knew the Father loved Him. (John 3:35)
He knew the Father’s timing. (John 12:27)
He was confident in His identity. (John 8:58)
He was confident in His purpose. (Mark 10:45)
He loved people. (1 John 3:16)
As you look at that list, is it any wonder how Jesus had confidence, assurance, faith, and here in the face of death, courage? We can see how these elements had their effect on the Master.
But as a disciple maker, take another look at that list from a different vantage point. Look at the list through the lens of a disciple and a disciple maker. If discipleship is becoming more like Jesus Christ, wouldn’t that be a good list to guide us in the process? YES! It’s simple. It’s true. And it’s a great guideline to being His disciple and helping more people become like Him. And I bet ten dollars and a doughnut if we lined those six elements up in our lives, we would be a little more courageous as well!
My Story
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. I’ve done a lot of dangerous things in my life that took a lot of courage. But there’s a kind of courage I had to learn later in life. Not because it was all that difficult, but because I was afraid to face the facts. I was afraid of sharing the gospel. I believed the gospel was true. I believed believing it saved me. But I was afraid people would think I’m an idiot, uncool, or a religious nutcase. I didn’t buy the “persecution” line. No, I’m an American who is supposed to be sharing the gospel with my people. I’ve never heard of an American getting killed or even beat up for sharing the gospel. No, I was a chicken because I was afraid of damaging my own reputation.
What’s the cure? Thinking about my reputation before God. I knew He loved me but did I love Him. He commanded me to share the good news and I was scared of what people might think. Once I put my love for God in front of what people might think about me, I started sharing a lot more. And as I did, my identity and purpose became much clearer. As I shared the gospel I was preaching the good news to myself and my understanding of His love for me and my love for people deepened. I got to the point where I would pick the meanest baddest looking Hombre and walk right up and lay it on them. Now don’t get me wrong, my knees still knock. Courage isn’t the absence of fear. It’s doing the right thing in the face of fear.
Our Action Plan
Now it’s time for application. Here’s some ideas;
Spend some time praying through the list of Jesus attributes above and ask which ones you need to work on.
Do a Bible study on the “courage of Jesus”
Discuss your findings with those you are discipling
If our goal is to become more like Jesus, we need to be as courageous as He was. Understanding our love for God and His love for us, His timing, our God given identity and purpose will certainly give us a firm foundation to imitate Jesus with the same kind of courage.
Organic Writing – No Artificial Intelligence or Sweeteners Added
¡Bienvenidos de nuevo! Hoy analizaremos el Evangelio de Juan para comprender la valentía de Jesús y responder a la pregunta: “¿De dónde surgió toda esa valentía?”.
Comencemos.
Juan 7:25-31
Entonces algunos de Jerusalén comenzaron a decir: “¿No es este el hombre a quien intentan matar? Y aquí está, hablando públicamente, y no le dicen nada. ¿Acaso los gobernantes han reconocido realmente que este es el Cristo? Pero nosotros sabemos de dónde es este hombre. Cuando el Cristo venga, nadie sabrá de dónde es”. Entonces Jesús, enseñando aún en el templo, exclamó: “Ustedes me conocen y saben de dónde soy. No he venido por mi propia cuenta, pero el que me envió es veraz. Ustedes no lo conocen, pero yo lo conozco, porque vengo de él y él me envió”. Intentaron, pues, prenderle, pero nadie le echó mano, porque aún no había llegado su hora. Sin embargo, muchos de la multitud creyeron en él y decían: “Cuando el Cristo venga, ¿hará más señales que este hombre?”.
Mis Pensamientos
Jesús se lanza directamente al foso de los leones. Sabía que los rumores eran ciertos porque el Padre se lo había dicho de antemano (Mateo 17:22-23). Y, aun así, con ese conocimiento, afronta el peligro de frente. ¿Qué le dio tal valentía? Se me ocurren varias cosas.
Amaba al Padre (Marcos 12:30).
Sabía que el Padre lo amaba (Juan 3:35).
Conocía el tiempo del Padre (Juan 12:27).
Tenía confianza en su identidad (Juan 8:58).
Tenía confianza en su propósito (Marcos 10:45).
Amaba a la gente (1 Juan 3:16).
Al observar esa lista, ¿es de extrañar que Jesús tuviera confianza, seguridad, fe y, ante la muerte, valentía? Podemos ver cómo estos elementos influyeron en el Maestro.
Pero como hacedor de discípulos, analiza esa lista desde una perspectiva diferente. Mírala desde la perspectiva de un discípulo y un hacedor de discípulos. Si el discipulado consiste en asemejarnos más a Jesucristo, ¿no sería esa una buena lista para guiarnos en el proceso? ¡SÍ! Es simple. Es cierto. Y es una excelente guía para ser su discípulo y ayudar a más personas a ser como él. ¡Y apuesto a que si alineáramos esos seis elementos en nuestras vidas, también seríamos un poco más valientes!
Mi Historia
Lo he dicho antes y lo diré de nuevo. He hecho muchas cosas peligrosas en mi vida que requirieron mucho coraje. Pero hay una clase de coraje que tuve que aprender más adelante. No porque fuera tan difícil, sino porque tenía miedo de afrontar la realidad. Tenía miedo de compartir el evangelio. Creía que el evangelio era verdadero. Creía que creerlo me salvaba. Pero temía que la gente pensara que era idiota, poco popular o un religioso chiflado. No me creí el argumento de la “persecución”. No, soy un estadounidense que se supone que debe compartir el evangelio con su gente. Nunca he oído hablar de un estadounidense asesinado o incluso golpeado por compartir el evangelio. No, fui un cobarde porque tenía miedo de dañar mi propia reputación.
¿Cuál es la cura? Pensar en mi reputación ante Dios. Sabía que Él me amaba, pero ¿lo amaba yo? Él me mandó a compartir las buenas noticias y tenía miedo de lo que la gente pudiera pensar. Una vez que puse mi amor por Dios por encima de lo que la gente pudiera pensar de mí, empecé a compartir mucho más. Y al hacerlo, mi identidad y mi propósito se aclararon mucho. Al compartir el evangelio, me predicaba la buena nueva a mí mismo, y mi comprensión de su amor por mí y mi amor por la gente se profundizó. Llegué al punto de elegir al hombre más cruel y con peor aspecto, ir directamente a él y arremeter contra él. No me malinterpreten, todavía me tiemblan las rodillas. La valentía no es la ausencia de miedo. Es hacer lo correcto frente al miedo.
Nuestro Plan de Acción
Ahora es momento de aplicar. Aquí tienes algunas ideas:
Dedica un tiempo a orar sobre la lista de atributos de Jesús mencionada anteriormente y pregúntate cuáles necesitas mejorar.
Realiza un estudio bíblico sobre la “valentía de Jesús”.
Comparte tus hallazgos con quienes estás discipulando.
Si nuestra meta es llegar a ser más como Jesús, necesitamos ser tan valientes como él. Comprender nuestro amor por Dios y el suyo por nosotros, su tiempo, la identidad y el propósito que Dios nos dio, sin duda nos dará una base sólida para imitar a Jesús con la misma valentía.
Escritura orgánica: sin inteligencia artificial ni edulcorantes añadidos.
Si ve un problema importante en la traducción, envíeme una corrección por correo electrónico a charleswood1@gmail.com
But when His brothers had gone up to the feast, then He Himself also went up, not publicly, but as if, in secret. When the days were approaching for His ascension, He was determined to go to Jerusalem; and He sent messengers on ahead of Him, and they went and entered a village of the Samaritans to make arrangements for Him. But they did not receive Him, because He was traveling toward Jerusalem. When His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” But He turned and rebuked them, and said, “You do not know what kind of spirit you are of; for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.” And they went on to another village.
My Thoughts
I’m sure the guys thought they were thinking and saying something good. After all, James and John were just protecting the reputation of their Master. I mean, who do these ungrateful Samaritans think they are, disrespecting the Son of God? They deserve a little hell fire and brimstone, don’t they? The two had a perfectly human response to this rudeness. Or did they?
Jesus attributes this kind of thinking and behavior to a “spirit” and not to the Holy Spirit for sure. Several times we see the disciples being influenced by the spirit of the evil one. When Peter rebuked Jesus for talking about His crucifixion, Jesus outright calls him Satan (Matthew 16:21-23). Satan enters Judas’ heart (Luke 22:3). And again, Satan’s request to sift Peter like wheat (Luke 22:31). No wonder Peter gives us this sobering warning;
“Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.” (1 Peter 5:8-9)
Spiritual warfare is a very real thing! As disciple-makers we need to not only be aware of such demonic activity, we need to be equipped and equip those we are discipling with the tools to ward off such attacks.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Ephesians 6:10-17)
My Story
For the last three years I have been working hard on my “thought life.” You know when you have an initial thought that is pretty benign and then all of a sudden you realize you’ve walked halfway down the path to the pit of hell. This can be sexual, judgmental, fearful, etc… I have been known to say “On the outside, I’m a pretty good guy. But if you spent five minutes in my brain, you’d probably throw up.” But I have a sneaky suspicion I’m not the only one with this struggle.
I’ve done some reading and memorizing of Scripture to help me tame the wild jungle in my head but one thing really stands out as most helpful; “Not everything I think originates with me.” I learned that Satan loves to feed us lies and initiate thoughts that tempt us into sin.
First, this was quite a relief. I now realize the thought of stabbing grandma in the back with a butcher knife is not something I dreamt up on my own and has helped me resist immediately checking myself into a psych ward. It is the enemy planting seeds of evil hoping they will grow into full blown trees of destruction bearing the fruit of sin. (Come on now, don’t judge me. You’ve had some crazy thoughts go through your head and wondered where in the world it came from! Now you know.)
Second, I needed to take immediate action against such spiritual attacks and pull out the machete of truth and hack the evil thought or lie down before it even sees the light of day. A helpful practice was given to me by Craig Groeshel in his book “Winning the War in Your Mind.” He talks about immediately responding with a mantra or saying that will address the lie or evil thought and stop it in its tracks. I went a step further by issuing a command appropriate to the ones the thought came from; “Demons and their thoughts be cast into the depth of the sea by the name of Jesus and stay there until the final day of judgment!” Not only has this been effective at cutting these intrusive thoughts off at the pass, I have experienced tremendous peace in knowing that I have enlisted the right power to redirect my thinking in a more healthy vein. (I also imagine thousands of chained demons at the bottom of the ocean as a result of proclaiming this command multiple times a day. Tongue in cheek.) It has been truly liberating.
PS. All my grandmothers have died of natural causes.
Our Action Plan
Now it’s time for application. Here’s some ideas;
What are some of the troubling thoughts you have on a routine basis?
Look up some Scriptural truths you can use to combat these lies.
Ask those you are discipling how they are doing with their “thought lives.”
Not all that is in our heads originates with us. We have an enemy that would destroy us starting with our hearts and minds. Let’s monitor our thinking and take appropriate actions to expose the lies and replace them with the truth.
Organic Writing – No Artificial Intelligence or Sweeteners Added
¿Qué clase de espíritu? – #128
¡Bienvenidos de nuevo! Hoy analizaremos los Evangelios de Lucas y Juan para ver de dónde provienen algunos de nuestros pensamientos más perversos.
¡Comencemos!
Lucas 9:51-56, Juan 7:10
Pero cuando sus hermanos subieron a la fiesta, él también subió, no públicamente, sino como en secreto. Al acercarse los días de su ascensión, decidió ir a Jerusalén; así que envió mensajeros delante de él, los cuales fueron y entraron en una aldea de samaritanos para preparar su viaje. Pero no lo recibieron, porque viajaba hacia Jerusalén. Al ver esto, sus discípulos Santiago y Juan dijeron: «Señor, ¿quieres que mandemos que descienda fuego del cielo y los consuma?». Pero él se volvió y los reprendió, diciendo: «No saben de qué espíritu son; porque el Hijo del Hombre no vino a destruir las vidas de los hombres, sino a salvarlas». Y se fueron a otra aldea.
Mis Pensamientos
Estoy seguro de que los chicos creían que estaban pensando y diciendo algo bueno. Después de todo, Santiago y Juan solo estaban protegiendo la reputación de su Maestro. Es decir, ¿quiénes se creen estos samaritanos ingratos que le faltan el respeto al Hijo de Dios? Se merecen un poco de fuego y azufre del infierno, ¿no? Ambos reaccionaron de forma perfectamente humana ante esta grosería. ¿O no?
Jesús atribuye este tipo de pensamiento y comportamiento a un “espíritu” y no al Espíritu Santo, sin duda. Varias veces vemos a los discípulos influenciados por el espíritu del maligno. Cuando Pedro reprendió a Jesús por hablar de su crucifixión, Jesús lo llamó directamente Satanás (Mateo 16:21-23). Satanás entró en el corazón de Judas (Lucas 22:3). Y de nuevo, Satanás le pidió que zarandeara a Pedro como trigo (Lucas 22:31). Con razón Pedro nos da esta seria advertencia. Sean sobrios y estén alerta. Su adversario, el diablo, ronda como león rugiente, buscando a quién devorar. Pero resistan firmes en la fe, sabiendo que sus hermanos en el mundo están padeciendo lo mismo. (1 Pedro 5:8-9)
¡La guerra espiritual es muy real! Como hacedores de discípulos, no solo debemos estar atentos a esta actividad demoníaca, sino también equiparnos y dotar a quienes discipulamos con las herramientas necesarias para protegernos de tales ataques.
Finalmente, fortalézcanse en el Señor y en el poder de su fuerza. Pónganse toda la armadura de Dios para que puedan mantenerse firmes contra las asechanzas del diablo. Porque nuestra lucha no es contra sangre y carne, sino contra principados, contra potestades, contra las fuerzas de este mundo de tinieblas, contra las huestes espirituales de maldad en las regiones celestes. Por tanto, tomen toda la armadura de Dios, para que puedan resistir en el día malo y, tras haberlo hecho todo, mantenerse firmes. Manténganse firmes, ceñidos sus lomos con la verdad, revestidos con la coraza de justicia y calzados con el apresto del evangelio de paz; además, tomen el escudo de la fe con el que podrán apagar todas las flechas encendidas del maligno. Y tomen el yelmo de la salvación y la espada del Espíritu, que es la palabra de Dios. (Efesios 6:10-17)
Mi Historia
Durante los últimos tres años he estado trabajando duro en mis pensamientos. Ya sabes, cuando tienes un pensamiento inicial bastante benigno y de repente te das cuenta de que has recorrido la mitad del camino hacia el abismo. Puede ser sexual, crítico, temeroso, etc. He dicho: “Por fuera, soy una buena persona. Pero si pasaras cinco minutos en mi mente, probablemente vomitarías”. Pero tengo la ligera sospecha de que no soy el único con esta lucha.
He leído y memorizado las Escrituras para ayudarme a dominar la jungla salvaje que hay en mi cabeza, pero hay algo que realmente me ha ayudado: “No todo lo que pienso proviene de mí”. Aprendí que a Satanás le encanta alimentarnos con mentiras e iniciar pensamientos que nos tientan a pecar.
Primero, esto fue un gran alivio. Ahora me doy cuenta de que la idea de apuñalar a la abuela por la espalda con un cuchillo de carnicero no es algo que se me haya ocurrido y me ha ayudado a resistir la idea de ingresarme inmediatamente en un hospital psiquiátrico. Es el enemigo sembrando semillas de maldad con la esperanza de que se conviertan en árboles de destrucción maduros que den el fruto del pecado. (Vamos, no me juzgues. ¡Has tenido pensamientos locos y te has preguntado de dónde salieron! Ahora lo sabes).
En segundo lugar, necesitaba actuar de inmediato contra tales ataques espirituales y desenvainar la verdad para acabar con el pensamiento maligno o rendirme antes de que siquiera vea la luz del día. Craig Groeshel me dio una práctica útil en su libro “Ganando la Guerra en tu Mente”. Habla de responder de inmediato con un mantra o una frase que aborde la mentira o el pensamiento maligno y lo detenga de golpe. Fui un paso más allá al dar una orden apropiada para quienes provenían del pensamiento: “¡Demonios y sus pensamientos, sean arrojados a las profundidades del mar en el nombre de Jesús y permanezcan allí hasta el día del juicio final!” Esto no solo ha sido efectivo para cortar de raíz estos pensamientos intrusivos, sino que también he experimentado una paz inmensa al saber que he encontrado el poder adecuado para redirigir mis pensamientos hacia una dirección más sana. (También me imagino a miles de demonios encadenados en el fondo del océano por proclamar esta orden varias veces al día. Es irónico). Ha sido realmente liberador.
PD: Todas mis abuelas han muerto por causas naturales.
Nuestro Plan de Acción
Ahora es momento de aplicarlo. Aquí tienes algunas ideas:
¿Cuáles son algunos de los pensamientos que te preocupan habitualmente?
Busca algunas verdades bíblicas que puedas usar para combatir estas mentiras.
Pregunta a quienes estás discipulando cómo les va con sus pensamientos.
No todo lo que hay en nuestra cabeza proviene de nosotros. Tenemos un enemigo que quiere destruirnos, empezando por nuestro corazón y nuestra mente. Vigilemos nuestros pensamientos y tomemos las medidas adecuadas para exponer las mentiras y reemplazarlas con la verdad.
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 Mark and Luke to see how Jesus addressed trying to protect the ministry with restrictions and centralization.
John said to Him, “Teacher, Master, we saw someone else driving out demons in Your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not accompany us.” “Do not stop him,” Jesus replied. “For no one who performs a miracle in My name can turn around and speak evil of Me. For whoever is not against us is for us and whoever is not against you is for you. Indeed, if anyone gives you even a cup of water because you bear the name of Christ, truly I tell you, he will never lose his reward.
My Thoughts
The clique had formed. “If you ain’t part of our little group, you don’t get to play.” Sounds pretty immature doesn’t it? And yet, like John and his companions, we do it all the time. I call it the “curse of centralization.” In an effort to protect and preserve we start to narrow the “who can and who can’t” circle.
Now don’t get me wrong. I like the fact that we have a centralized driver’s training and license distribution system (if you have driven in other countries, you know what I mean). I’m also glad we don’t just let any old Joe perform brain surgeries. So there’s a place for qualifications, restrictions, and vetting. This all comes under the desire to protect people and therefore we centralize.
But in Christendom we have taken it way too far. I call them bottlenecks to the gospel (and watch out, I’m about to step on some toes). The first is “who can and who can’t share the gospel.” Don’t laugh, I’ve actually heard people say that it’s the pastor’s job and anyone else, well, they’re just not qualified. The problem is, we are all commanded to share the gospel (Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15).
Two more are “who can and who can’t” baptize and serve the Lord’s supper. We are told you have to have certain credentials to do either one of these. Really? Where in the Bible does it say that? First, we are again commanded to baptize. The great commission informs us that we are to make disciples. This means making disciples by going, teaching all of His commands, AND baptizing. Have you ever heard a preacher say “Only obey ¾ of the Great Commission but leave the baptisms to me.” I bet you have, in so many words, you just might be recognizing it for the first time.
And what about the Lord’s supper, communion? Who says you can’t remember Jesus as a family around the dinner table or as a group of normal everyday disciples enjoying a sunset on the beach. We do see it’s a serious offence to abuse the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:17-34). Some people were even dying as a result of their misconduct. So does that give us a reason to ratchet down and make one person the “communion expert” to protect the poor ignorant people from killing themselves? I don’t think so!
Ananias and Sapphira died when they abused the spiritual discipline of giving. Why don’t we save the people from themselves by having the pastor practice all the charity? If I’m sounding a bit snarky it’s because I’m terribly disturbed by the bottleneck we’ve created for the gospel and ministry for the sake of protecting it. These are all moves to “protect” the sanctity of the spiritual discipline. Protection and restriction are not the answer, education and training are.
My Story
I am a big champion of the Priesthood of the Believer (1 Peter 2:9). I think we should be training people to do the ministry and not outsourcing it to paid professionals. Once upon a time I was a paid professional and was the very bottleneck I just spoke about. But three things have compelled me to change. The example of Jesus, the Scriptures, and the immense need for laborers to reach the world for Christ.
I see Jesus delegating elements of ministry to men that the “paid professional” of the day would never let do the ministry. By John chapter 4, the disciples were doing all the baptisms. By Matthew 9 and Luke 9 they were healing the sick and casting out demons. Yes, Jesus modeled, taught, and trained these men (and women) but He also deployed them pretty quickly. And remember these weren’t the sharpest knives in the drawer and one of them wasn’t even in the kingdom.
From Acts it’s pretty evident that normal everyday disciples were sharing the gospel, sharing the Lord’s supper, and even being missionaries (Acts 2:46; 8:12; 11:19-21). When Luke talks about the gospel spreading so rapidly in certain regions it was not because Paul spoke to every person in Asia. It was because the residents of Asia took the ball and ran with it (Acts 19:10).
The job is too big and too important to cut out the major workforce needed to reach every tribe, tongue, and nation with the gospel. There’s just too much work to do to not train every single man and woman, boy and girl to make disciples and be the church to the best of their abilities. We need every believer putting their hands to the plow to advance the kingdom of God and complete the Great Commission. I’m pretty passionate about this, can you tell?
The answer to protecting the ministry is not restriction and centralization. The answer is good training and decentralization.
Our Action Plan
Now it’s time for application. Here’s some ideas;
Do a Bible study on the difference between the old covenant priesthood and the new covenant laborer.
My brothers and sisters, let’s quit bottling up the ministry with restrictions and let every believer share the good news and make disciples. Train ‘em up, send ‘em out, and watch God’s kingdom grow like the mustard seed!
¡Bienvenidos de nuevo! Hoy analizaremos los Evangelios de Marcos y Lucas para ver cómo Jesús abordó el intento de proteger el ministerio con restricciones y centralización.
Comencemos.
Marcos 9:38-41, Lucas 9:49-50
Juan le dijo: «Maestro, Maestro, vimos a otro expulsando demonios en tu nombre, y tratamos de impedírselo, porque no viene con nosotros». Jesús respondió: «No se lo impidan. Porque nadie que haga un milagro en mi nombre puede volverse atrás y hablar mal de mí. Porque el que no está contra nosotros, está con nosotros, y el que no está contra ustedes, está con ustedes. De hecho, cualquiera que les dé aunque sea un vaso de agua por el hecho de llevar el nombre de Cristo, de cierto les digo que no perderá su recompensa».
Mis Pensamientos
Se había formado la camarilla. «Si no formas parte de nuestro grupito, no tienes derecho a participar». Suena bastante inmaduro, ¿verdad? Y, sin embargo, al igual que John y sus compañeros, lo hacemos constantemente. Yo lo llamo la «maldición de la centralización». En un esfuerzo por proteger y preservar, empezamos a reducir el círculo de «quién puede y quién no».
No me malinterpreten. Me gusta que tengamos un sistema centralizado de formación y distribución de licencias de conducir (si han conducido en otros países, saben a qué me refiero). También me alegra que no dejemos que cualquiera realice neurocirugías. Así que hay lugar para requisitos, restricciones y verificaciones. Todo esto se enmarca en el deseo de proteger a la gente y, por lo tanto, centralizamos.
Pero en la cristiandad lo hemos llevado demasiado lejos. Yo los llamo cuellos de botella para el evangelio (y cuidado, estoy a punto de pisar algunos callos). El primero es «quién puede y quién no puede compartir el evangelio». No se rían, de hecho he escuchado a gente decir que es trabajo del pastor y que cualquier otra persona, bueno, simplemente no está calificada. El problema es que a todos se nos manda compartir el evangelio (Mateo 28:18-20, Marcos 16:15).
Dos más son “quién puede y quién no puede” bautizar y servir la Santa Cena. Se nos dice que hay que tener ciertas credenciales para hacer cualquiera de estas dos cosas. ¿En serio? ¿Dónde dice eso en la Biblia? Primero, se nos manda de nuevo bautizar. La Gran Comisión nos informa que debemos hacer discípulos. Esto significa hacer discípulos yendo, enseñando todos sus mandamientos y bautizando. ¿Alguna vez han escuchado a un predicador decir: “Solo obedezcan tres cuartas partes de la Gran Comisión, pero déjenme los bautismos a mí”? Apuesto a que sí, con tantas palabras que quizás lo estén reconociendo por primera vez.
¿Y qué hay de la Santa Cena, la comunión? ¿Quién dice que no se puede recordar a Jesús como una familia alrededor de la mesa o como un grupo de discípulos comunes y corrientes disfrutando de un atardecer en la playa? Vemos que abusar de la Cena del Señor es una ofensa grave (1 Corintios 11:17-34). Algunas personas incluso morían como resultado de su mala conducta. Entonces, ¿nos da eso razón para reducir la responsabilidad y convertir a una persona en el “experto en la comunión” para proteger a los pobres ignorantes de suicidarse? ¡No lo creo!
Ananías y Safira murieron cuando abusaron de la disciplina espiritual de dar. ¿Por qué no salvamos a la gente de sí misma haciendo que el pastor practique toda la caridad? Si sueno un poco sarcástico es porque me preocupa terriblemente el cuello de botella que hemos creado para el evangelio y el ministerio con el fin de protegerlos. Todas estas son medidas para “proteger” la santidad de la disciplina espiritual. La protección y la restricción no son la solución; la educación y la capacitación sí lo son.
Mi Historia
Soy un gran defensor del Sacerdocio del Creyente (1 Pedro 2:9). Creo que deberíamos capacitar a personas para ejercer el ministerio y no subcontratarlo a profesionales. Hubo un tiempo en que yo era un profesional remunerado y era precisamente el cuello de botella del que acabo de hablar. Pero tres cosas me han impulsado a cambiar: el ejemplo de Jesús, las Escrituras y la inmensa necesidad de obreros que alcancen al mundo para Cristo.
Veo a Jesús delegando elementos del ministerio a hombres que los “profesionales remunerados” de la época jamás permitirían. Para Juan capítulo 4, los discípulos ya realizaban todos los bautismos. Para Mateo 9 y Lucas 9, sanaban a los enfermos y expulsaban demonios. Sí, Jesús modeló, enseñó y capacitó a estos hombres (y mujeres), pero también los desplegó con bastante rapidez. Y recuerden, estos no eran los cuchillos más afilados del cajón, y uno de ellos ni siquiera estaba en el reino.
De Hechos se desprende claramente que discípulos comunes y corrientes compartían el evangelio, la Santa Cena e incluso eran misioneros (Hechos 2:46; 8:12; 11:19-21). Cuando Lucas habla de la rápida propagación del evangelio en ciertas regiones, no fue porque Pablo hablara a todos los habitantes de Asia, sino porque los habitantes de Asia se pusieron manos a la obra (Hechos 19:10).
La tarea es demasiado grande e importante como para prescindir de la mano de obra necesaria para alcanzar a cada tribu, lengua y nación con el evangelio. Hay demasiado trabajo por hacer como para no capacitar a cada hombre, mujer, niño y niña para hacer discípulos y ser la iglesia al máximo de sus capacidades. Necesitamos que cada creyente ponga manos a la obra para avanzar el reino de Dios y completar la Gran Comisión. Me apasiona mucho esto, ¿se nota?
La respuesta para proteger el ministerio no es la restricción ni la centralización. La respuesta es una buena capacitación y la descentralización.
Nuestro Plan de Acción
Ahora es momento de aplicar. Aquí les dejo algunas ideas:
Realicen un estudio bíblico sobre la diferencia entre el sacerdocio del antiguo pacto y el obrero del nuevo pacto.
Vean mi Parábola de los Pozos (Hagan clic en el enlace o busquen esto en YouTube).
MAWL los Discípulos: Modelar, Ayudar, Vigilar y Lanzar
Hermanos y hermanas, dejemos de limitar el ministerio y dejemos que cada creyente comparta las buenas nuevas y haga discípulos. ¡Formen a los creyentes, envíenlos y vean cómo el reino de Dios crece como la semilla de mostaza!
Si ve un problema importante en la traducción, envíeme una corrección por correo electrónico a charleswood1@gmail.com
After they had arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax came to Peter and asked, “Does your Teacher pay the two drachmas?” “Yes,” he answered. When Peter entered the house, Jesus preempted him. “What do you think, Simon?” He asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect customs and taxes: from their own sons, or from others?” “From others,” Peter answered. “Then the sons are exempt,” Jesus declared. “But so that we may not offend them, go to the sea, cast a hook, and take the first fish you catch. When you open its mouth, you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for My tax and yours.”
My Thoughts
Did you catch it? Once again the lesson is buried under a miracle. Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t mind being told to catch a fish and find enough money in its mouth to pay my taxes. That would be awesome! But there’s a deeper lesson here. One that is important for disciple-makers and anyone else that would like to preserve peace in relationships. It’s the miracle of diplomacy. Jesus’ question to Peter makes it clear that the tax collectors were not doing what was fair or maybe even legal in a normal society. Of course you don’t tax your own family. This is why the Jews hated the tax collectors. They were “traitors” taxing their own for the Romans and getting their cut on the side.
Now Jesus could have righteously responded in several ways. He could refuse to pay the tax. He could rally a protest against the government demanding His rights. He could have called down hail, fire, and brimstone on these greedy tax collectors. But instead, He chooses a path that preserves peace and teaches a profound lesson in diplomacy. Jesus instructs Peter to pay the tax, not because it’s just or owed, but to avoid unnecessary conflict and maintain a witness that prioritizes humility over confrontation.
But before we go off the deep end on the idea of diplomacy, let’s look at Jesus in some other circumstances. What about confronting the Pharisees? He called them names like Hypocrites, Blind guides, Fools, Serpents, Whitewashed tombs, etc… (Matthew 23:13-33) Whew! That’s not very diplomatic in my book. What about making a whip and cleaning out the temple of all the “concessions.” (John 2:13-16) Nope, not very diplomatic either.
So how did Jesus know when to turn on the diplomacy or not? The simple answer is the Father told Him (John 5:19). We also know that Jesus was knee deep in the Scriptures, full of the Spirit, and prayed up. And as disciples and disciple-makers, it would be wise for us to do the same.
My Story
I was being raked over the coals for a theological issue and it got down right ugly. The minor disagreement became a “Paul and Barnabas Event” and we had to part ways. I didn’t fight back, no screaming and yelling, no backbiting, or sabotage. I simply took it on the chin and left. Later one of the men I had discipled went through the same thing for the same issue. Now I let the leaders have it with both barrels! I didn’t lose my composure but I was firm and more prophetic than I usually am. So what was the difference? Why in one situation I “took one for the team” and the other I “came off the top ropes?”
Two things come to mind. In the first situation it was a personal assault against me. I felt like maybe God was doing something like when David left Jerusalem and Shimei was hurling abuses and rocks at him. David trusted God with the circumstances and responded;
“Let him alone and let him curse, for the LORD has told him. Perhaps the LORD will look on my affliction and return good to me instead of his cursing this day.” (2 Samuel 16:11-12)
In the second situation with my friend I felt like it was my shepherding duty to fend off the attackers and defend my brother. I have a saying, “If you ever want to see a Shepherd go Prophet, mess with the sheep.”
The other reason was wisdom from the Word and Holy Spirit. I felt like I had a red light to defend myself and a green light to defend my friend. I’m sure this is how Jesus operated in every circumstance, receiving wisdom to do exactly the right thing.
Our Action Plan
Now it’s time for application. Here’s some ideas;
Are you abiding in Christ enough to be guided by Him on when to be diplomatic or not?
Are you quick to engage or quick to run from conflict? What is Jesus telling you right now?
Discuss these questions with those you are discipling and find Scripture to guide the discussion.
In the end, Jesus shows us that diplomacy is a miracle worth learning, guided by the Father’s wisdom. As disciples, let’s stay rooted in Scripture and prayer to know when to speak up or hold our peace.
¡Bienvenidos de nuevo! Hoy analizaremos el Evangelio de Mateo para ver cómo Jesús usó la diplomacia para evitar ofender a otros y cuándo no.
Comencemos.
Mateo 17:24-27
Después de llegar a Capernaúm, los cobradores del impuesto de dos dracmas se acercaron a Pedro y le preguntaron: «¿Tu Maestro paga las dos dracmas?». «Sí», respondió. Cuando Pedro entró en la casa, Jesús se le adelantó. «¿Qué te parece, Simón?», preguntó. «¿De quién cobran los reyes de la tierra los impuestos y los tributos: de sus propios hijos o de los demás?». «De los demás», respondió Pedro. «Entonces los hijos están exentos», declaró Jesús. «Pero para no ofenderlos, ve al mar, echa el anzuelo y el primer pez que pesques. Al abrirlo, encontrarás una moneda de cuatro dracmas. Tómala y dásela por mi impuesto y el tuyo».
Mis Pensamientos
¿Lo captaste? Una vez más, la lección queda sepultada bajo un milagro. No me malinterpretes, no me importaría que me dijeran que pescara un pez y encontrara suficiente dinero en su boca para pagar mis impuestos. ¡Sería genial! Pero hay una lección más profunda aquí. Una que es importante para quienes hacen discípulos y para cualquiera que desee preservar la paz en las relaciones. Es el milagro de la diplomacia. La pregunta de Jesús a Pedro deja claro que los recaudadores de impuestos no estaban haciendo lo justo, ni siquiera lo legal, en una sociedad normal. Claro que uno no cobra impuestos a su propia familia. Por eso los judíos odiaban a los recaudadores de impuestos. Eran “traidores” que cobraban impuestos a los suyos para los romanos y se llevaban su tajada.
Ahora bien, Jesús podría haber respondido con justicia de varias maneras. Podría negarse a pagar el impuesto. Podría organizar una protesta contra el gobierno que exigía sus derechos. Podría haber invocado granizo, fuego y azufre sobre estos codiciosos recaudadores de impuestos. Pero en cambio, elige un camino que preserva la paz y enseña una profunda lección de diplomacia. Jesús le ordena a Pedro que pague el impuesto, no porque sea justo ni debido, sino para evitar conflictos innecesarios y mantener un testimonio que priorice la humildad sobre la confrontación.
Pero antes de profundizar en la idea de la diplomacia, veamos a Jesús en otras circunstancias. ¿Y qué tal cuando confrontó a los fariseos? Los llamó hipócritas, guías ciegos, necios, serpientes, sepulcros blanqueados, etc. (Mateo 23:13-33). ¡Uf! Eso no me parece muy diplomático. ¿Y qué tal si se azota y se limpia el templo de todas las “concesiones”? (Juan 2:13-16). No, tampoco es muy diplomático.
Entonces, ¿cómo sabía Jesús cuándo usar la diplomacia o no? La respuesta es sencilla: el Padre se lo dijo (Juan 5:19). También sabemos que Jesús estaba inmerso en las Escrituras, lleno del Espíritu y oraba con intensidad. Y como discípulos y hacedores de discípulos, sería sabio que hiciéramos lo mismo.
Mi Historia
Me estaban dando fuertes broncas por un asunto teológico y la cosa se puso fea. El pequeño desacuerdo se convirtió en un “evento Pablo y Bernabé” y tuvimos que separarnos. No me defendí, no grité ni vociferé, no murmuré ni saboté. Simplemente acepté las consecuencias y me fui. Más tarde, uno de los hombres a los que había discipulado pasó por lo mismo por el mismo problema. ¡Ahora les di la lata a los líderes! No perdí la compostura, pero me mantuve firme y más profético de lo habitual. Entonces, ¿cuál fue la diferencia? ¿Por qué en una situación “me salvé por el equipo” y en la otra “me lancé desde la cuerda superior”?
Me vienen a la mente dos cosas. En la primera, fue un ataque personal contra mí. Sentí que tal vez Dios estaba haciendo algo como cuando David salió de Jerusalén y Simei le lanzaba insultos y piedras. David confió en Dios ante las circunstancias y respondió. “Déjalo, que maldiga, porque el SEÑOR se lo ha dicho. Quizás el SEÑOR mire mi aflicción y me devuelva el bien en lugar de su maldición de hoy.” (2 Samuel 16:11-12)
En la segunda situación con mi amigo, sentí que mi deber como pastor era defender a los atacantes y a mi hermano. Tengo un dicho: “Si quieres ver a un pastor convertirse en profeta, métete con las ovejas”.
La otra razón fue la sabiduría de la Palabra y del Espíritu Santo. Sentí que tenía luz roja para defenderme y luz verde para defender a mi amigo. Estoy seguro de que así es como Jesús actuó en cada circunstancia, recibiendo sabiduría para hacer exactamente lo correcto.
Nuestro Plan de Acción
Ahora es momento de aplicar. Aquí tienes algunas ideas:
¿Permaneces en Cristo lo suficiente como para que Él te guíe sobre cuándo ser diplomático o no?
¿Eres rápido para involucrarte o para huir del conflicto? ¿Qué te está diciendo Jesús ahora mismo?
Dialoga estas preguntas con tus discípulos y busca la Biblia para guiar la conversación.
En definitiva, Jesús nos muestra que la diplomacia es un milagro que vale la pena aprender, guiados por la sabiduría del Padre. Como discípulos, aferrémonos a la Biblia y a la oración para saber cuándo hablar o callar.
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 even the Master disciple-maker found it hard to get His point across.
Going on from there, they passed through Galilee. But Jesus did not want anyone to know, because He was teaching His disciples. When His disciples gathered together in Galilee, Jesus told them, “Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill Him, and on the third day He will be raised to life.” And the disciples were deeply grieved and did not understand this statement, it was veiled from them so that they could not comprehend it, and they were afraid to ask Him about it.
My Thoughts
As disciple-makers it is important to get concentrated time with those you are mentoring. I’ve mentioned before that Jesus got time alone with His disciples in a boat, a mountain top, and even on the shores of the Mediterranean near Tyre and Sidon. You can obviously see why He wanted to get time alone with them for this important announcement. But even being alone, without distraction, and focused on the few, they still didn’t get what He was trying to communicate. And here’s another crucial lesson for us as we pour our lives into others. Despite our best efforts, the men and women we are training may not comprehend our “crucial” lessons.
Here’s eight tips to navigate this tough but common circumstance when disciples “just don’t get it.”
Be patient! – Put yourself in their shoes and try to remember the times when some of the most simple truths eluded your understanding.
Pray – Notice that “it was veiled” from the disciples’ understanding. It may take Divine intervention to reveal a clear picture of what you are trying to explain.
Use Scripture – The Word of God is a powerful agent to bring understanding.
Tell Stories – Jesus was the Master Storyteller. As we try to get our point across, it may take putting the cookies on the lowest shelf with a simple story.
Draw It – Illustrations can be very helpful. A picture is worth a thousand words.
Questions – Encourage them to ask questions and ask questions yourself to verify understanding through feedback.
Come back and teach it again – Repetition is one of your secret weapons as a mentor. Repeat yourself in a repetitive manner. 🙂
Use the “Cool Uncle” – Deb and I learned this from raising our sons. Have a relative or a friend teach the lesson from their perspective. You might get a comment from the mentee like “Why didn’t you ever teach me this?” Just roll with it.
Communication will always be challenging. This is especially true in discipleship where we have an enemy constantly trying to muddy the waters. Be persistent. Eventually, they will get it.
My Story
I’ve been a disciple of Jesus for 45 years now and I’m amazed about how much I don’t understand about walking with Him. I’ve read my Bible daily, done intense Bible studies, and even been to Bible College and Seminary (some might say that explains everything, the seminary part that is). Yeah, I must confess, there are times when someone I’m discipling drops a little truth bomb on me and I let them know, “I’ve never seen that before!” I figure I’m talking to a pretty self-aware and humble crowd so I know I’m in good company.
Now some might quote James to me at this point, “Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment.” (James 3:1) But there are two problems;
Jesus has commanded us to teach! Check it out… (Matthew 28:18-20).
No teacher teaches everything accurately except for the Great Teacher Himself.
So you and I are stuck with a divine tension; To teach or not to teach, that is the question?
Here’s what helps me sleep at night. I teach people to read the Bible for themselves. This is a great safeguard for the disciple-maker and the best way to get to know the Master. So…if you’re reading my blog and not getting enough time in the Word, skip my blog and get the straight scoop from a Person who always gets it right!
Our Action Plan
Now it’s time for application. Here’s some ideas:
Create a “Learner’s Environment” for those you are discipling. It’s safe to not know all the answers, make mistakes, and ask questions.
Share your weaknesses and misunderstandings with them creating a level and humble playing field.
Do a Bible study with them and answer this question; “Did Jesus ever model weakness in front of His disciples?”
Well, there you have it, even Jesus faced challenges getting His message across, so let’s keep pourin’ into others with patience and trust they’ll catch on. Just keep sharing the Word, telling stories, and leaning on the Master Teacher to make it all clear to them in time.
¡Bienvenidos de nuevo! Hoy analizaremos los Evangelios de Mateo, Marcos y Lucas para ver cómo incluso al Maestro hacedor de discípulos le costó transmitir su mensaje.
Comencemos.
Mateo 17:22-23, Marcos 9:30-32, Lucas 9:43b-45
De allí, pasaron por Galilea. Pero Jesús no quería que nadie lo supiera, pues estaba enseñando a sus discípulos. Cuando sus discípulos se reunieron en Galilea, Jesús les dijo: «Que estas palabras les penetren en los oídos: El Hijo del Hombre está a punto de ser entregado en manos de los hombres. Lo matarán, y al tercer día resucitará». Y los discípulos se entristecieron profundamente y no entendieron esta declaración; les estaba velada, de modo que no podían comprenderla, y tenían miedo de preguntarle al respecto.
Mis Pensamientos
Como hacedores de discípulos, es importante dedicar tiempo a la consciencia de quienes mentorean. Ya he mencionado que Jesús pasó tiempo a solas con sus discípulos en una barca, en la cima de una montaña e incluso en las orillas del Mediterráneo, cerca de Tiro y Sidón. Es evidente por qué quiso pasar tiempo a solas con ellos para este importante anuncio. Pero incluso estando solos, sin distracciones y centrados en unos pocos, seguían sin entender lo que Él intentaba comunicar. Y aquí hay otra lección crucial para nosotros al dedicar nuestra vida a los demás. A pesar de nuestros mejores esfuerzos, los hombres y mujeres que capacitamos pueden no comprender nuestras lecciones cruciales.
Aquí tienes ocho consejos para afrontar esta difícil pero común situación en la que los discípulos simplemente no lo entienden.
¡Ten paciencia!: Ponte en su lugar y recuerda las veces en que algunas de las verdades más sencillas se te escaparon.
Ora: Observa que estaba velado para la comprensión de los discípulos. Puede que se requiera la intervención divina para que se revele una imagen clara de lo que intentas explicar.
Usa las Escrituras: La Palabra de Dios es un medio poderoso para brindar comprensión.
Cuenta historias: Jesús fue el maestro narrador. Al intentar transmitir nuestro mensaje, puede que tengamos que dejar las galletas en el último estante con una historia sencilla.
Dibuja: Las ilustraciones pueden ser muy útiles. Una imagen vale más que mil palabras.
Preguntas: Anímalos a hacer preguntas y a hacerlas tú mismo para verificar la comprensión mediante la retroalimentación.
Regresa y enséñalo de nuevo: La repetición es una de tus armas secretas como mentor. Repítelo de forma repetitiva. 🙂
Usa el “Tío Genial”: Deb y yo aprendimos esto criando a nuestros hijos. Pide a un familiar o amigo que enseñe la lección desde su perspectiva. Podrías recibir un comentario del aprendiz como “¿Por qué nunca me enseñaste esto?”. Simplemente sigue adelante.
La comunicación siempre será un desafío. Esto es especialmente cierto en el discipulado, donde tenemos un enemigo que constantemente intenta enturbiar las aguas. Sé persistente. Con el tiempo, lo entenderán.
Mi Historia
Llevo 45 años siendo discípulo de Jesús y me asombra lo mucho que no entiendo sobre caminar con Él. He leído la Biblia a diario, he realizado estudios bíblicos intensos e incluso he ido a un instituto bíblico y a un seminario (algunos dirían que eso lo explica todo, al menos el seminario). Sí, debo confesar que a veces alguien a quien discipulo me suelta una pequeña bomba de verdad y le digo: “¡Nunca había visto eso!”. Supongo que estoy hablando con un grupo bastante consciente y humilde, así que sé que estoy en buena compañía.
Ahora bien, algunos podrían citarme a Santiago en este punto: “Hermanos míos, no os hagáis muchos maestros, sabiendo que como tales recibiremos un juicio más severo” (Santiago 3:1). Pero hay dos problemas:
¡Jesús nos ha mandado a enseñar! Fíjense bien… (Mateo 28:18-20).
Ningún maestro enseña todo con precisión, excepto el Gran Maestro mismo.
Así que tú y yo nos encontramos atrapados en una tensión divina: ¿Enseñar o no enseñar? Esa es la cuestión.
Esto es lo que me ayuda a dormir por las noches: enseño a la gente a leer la Biblia por sí misma. Esta es una gran protección para quien hace discípulos y la mejor manera de conocer al Maestro. Así que… si lees mi blog y no dedicas suficiente tiempo a la Palabra, ¡sáltatelo y obtén la información directa de una persona que siempre acierta!
Nuestro Plan de Acción
Ahora es momento de aplicar. Aquí tienes algunas ideas:
Crea un ambiente de aprendizaje para quienes estás discipulando. Es seguro no saber todas las respuestas, cometer errores y hacer preguntas.
Comparte tus debilidades y malentendidos con ellos, creando un ambiente de igualdad y humildad.
Organiza un estudio bíblico con ellos y responde a esta pregunta: “¿Alguna vez Jesús demostró debilidad frente a sus discípulos?”.
Bueno, ahí lo tienen: incluso Jesús enfrentó dificultades para transmitir su mensaje, así que sigamos inculcándolo a otros con paciencia y confiando en que lo entenderán. Simplemente sigan compartiendo la Palabra, contando historias y apoyándose en el Maestro para que con el tiempo se lo aclare todo.
Si ve un problema importante en la traducción, envíeme una corrección por correo electrónico a charleswood1@gmail.com
“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way where I am going.”
John 14:1-4
Shadows Cast by Victory
The Confederation’s banners snapped in the crisp autumn breeze over its majestic capital, their crimson and gold fields a vivid counterpoint to the slate-gray spires of Navy Headquarters. Across the Orion Arm, from the core worlds to the rim, humanity celebrated the Battle of Dekar-9 and the miracle of Aroer Terra’s nova as a turning point in the war against the Rogue Artificial Intelligence and its bioengineered Skravak puppets. Holo-feeds blared triumphant anthems, and civic plazas overflowed with citizens chanting the names of the heroes who had carried Eden’s truth to victory: Lieutenant Wade Kovacs, Ensign Kristen Kovacs, Lieutenant Jay Ringler, and Lieutenant Mayumi Ringler.
For a month, the quartet endured the relentless glare of adulation. Wade, his prosthetic hand a quiet testament to battles past, stood stiffly at parade grounds, his Ranger dress blues immaculate but his gray-blue eyes distant, as admirals and senators pinned medals to his chest. Kristen, her analytical mind ill-suited to the pomp, forced smiles through endless banquets, her fingers brushing Wade’s in silent solidarity. Jay, ever the steady presence, offered gracious words to reporters, his faith anchoring him against the tide of hero-worship. Mayumi, her sharp intellect cloaked in quiet grace, deflected questions about the Skravak labs with practiced ease, her thoughts drifting to simpler dreams.
The fanfare was a double-edged blade. It honored their sacrifices—six months stranded on a moon they’d named Eden, the desperate gambit that shattered RAI’s fleet—but it chafed against their natures. None relished the spotlight. Wade, whose leadership had turned the tide, longed for the clarity of a mission. Kristen craved the hum of a lab or the open void. Jay and Mayumi, bound by love and shared trials, yearned for a life beyond the war’s shadow. At last, in a private audience with General Redside, they requested reprieve—a chance to step away, to reclaim some measure of the lives they’d set aside for duty.
Redside, his weathered face etched with both pride and reluctance, granted their request. “You’ve earned it,” he said, his voice gruff but warm. “But the Confederation will call again. It always does.”
Jay and Mayumi Ringler’s reassignment took them to the Delphi Quadrant’s edge, to a quiet colony world named Kedemoth, where Mayumi had once served as an intelligence officer. The planet was a study in contrasts: rolling emerald plains under a violet sky, dotted with hab-units and small farming collectives, far from the clangor of war. Here, the couple found a fragile peace. Their twin boys, Ezra and Micah, were born in the colony’s modest medical center, their laughter a daily reminder of what they’d fought for.
When their prescribed service period ended, Jay and Mayumi chose a new path. Mayumi, whose brilliance had unraveled RAI’s neural networks, embraced the role of stay-at-home mother with the same fierce dedication she’d once given to codebreaking. Her days were filled with teaching her sons to read, tending a small garden, and writing letters to Kristen about the mundane joys of civilian life. Jay, however, felt a deeper calling. Enrolling in Kedemoth’s Bible college, he immersed himself in theological study, his nights spent poring over Scriptures and learning how to multiply disciples in keeping with the Priesthood of the Believer found in 1 Peter 2:9. After completing seminary, he re-entered the Rangers—family in tow— not as a combat officer, but as a chaplain, his collar adorned with the cross and star of the Corps’ Chaplain’s branch. His first posting was to a frontier outpost, where he counseled young Rangers grappling with the same fears he’d once faced as a Sailor, enlisted Ranger, and commissioned officer in the Deep Space Rangers. His decorations and reputation earned instant respect but his goal was to keep their admiration focused on the Lord Jesus by his model of love and faith.
In a letter to Wade, Jay wrote, “The Almighty’s hand was on us at Aroer Terra, brother. Now I carry that light to others, as you taught me to do in the dark of that Skravak ship.”
Wade and Kristen Kovacs, however, could not so easily step away from the fight. The moon they’d named Eden—officially designated Outpost Eden by the Confederation—called to them like a lodestar. Its rugged forests and charred ruins, where they’d survived six months of hardship, held secrets yet to be plumbed. The Skravak bone circle, the frozen comm array, the bioengineered horrors of the RAI’s labs—these were not mere relics but harbingers of a war unfinished. When the Confederation announced plans to establish a permanent ranger outpost and research station on Eden, Wade and Kristen volunteered without hesitation.
Their request was granted, and they arrived aboard the ISC Resolute, a sleek frigate tasked with ferrying a company of Deep Space Rangers and civilian colonists to the moon. Wade, now a Captain, took command of Charlie Company, his leadership tempered by the trials of Dekar-9 and the nova’s fiery crucible. Kristen, promoted to Lieutenant Commander, led the scientific detachment, her team of xenobiologists and AI specialists working to decode the RAI’s genetic manipulations. Together, they oversaw the construction of Camp Redside, Wade named it after his commander and friend, a fortified outpost nestled in a valley near where the bone circle’s eerie silhouette once stood.
Life on Eden was austere but purposeful. Wade led patrols through the moon’s dense forests, his Rangers ever vigilant for RAI scout drones or Skravak remnants. Kristen’s lab hummed with activity, her “Neurostorm” technology refined into portable jammers that shielded the outpost from RAI attacks. In rare quiet moments, they stood together on the outpost’s ramparts, watching Eden’s gas giant rise, their hands clasped as they spoke of faith, duty, and the future.
“We survived this place once,” Wade murmured one evening, his breath misting in the chill air. “Now it’s ours to shape.”
Kristen nodded, her eyes on the horizon. “For the Confederation. For humanity. And for our God whose mercies are new every morning.”
Their work was not without cost. Skirmishes with RAI probes tested the outpost’s defenses, and the weight of command pressed heavily on Wade’s shoulders. Yet Eden was also a place of renewal. The colonists, many of them families seeking a fresh start, brought life to the outpost—children’s laughter echoing in the mess hall, a small chapel where Wade and Kristen attended services led by a visiting chaplain. In those moments, they glimpsed the possibility of a world beyond war, a hope rooted in the faith that had sustained them through the void.
Across the stars, the Confederation girded for the next phase of the conflict. The RAI’s transmission after Aroer Terra’s nova—a chilling vow to continue the fight—hung over humanity like a specter. Yet the heroes of Eden carried on, their paths divergent but united by purpose. Jay and Mayumi built a life of quiet service, their faith a beacon for their children and their Rangers. Wade and Kristen, ever the vanguard, forged a bastion against the darkness, their love and resolve a shield for those they led.
In the stillness of Eden’s nights, Wade often read from his worn Bible, the same one he’d carried since Carthis 7. Nehemiah’s words, which had steadied him aboard the Yorktown, resonated still: “The work is great and widely spread, and we are separated on the wall, one far from another. In the place where you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.”
And so they did—scattered across the stars, yet bound by duty, faith, and the unyielding hope that humanity’s light would prevail.
Titans of Triumph
The Confederation’s triumph at Aroer Terra and the Battle of Dekar-9 reverberated through the halls of power, cementing the reputations of its architects as heroes of humanity’s survival. Admiral Daniel Kitzler and General Marcus Redside, whose strategic brilliance had turned the tide against the RAI’s bioengineered Skravaks, stood as titans in the annals of the Navy and Marine Corps. Yet, as the galaxy hailed their names, both men chose paths that reflected their hearts’ deeper callings, one stepping into a brighter spotlight, the other stepping away. Both leaving their marks in completely different ways.
Admiral Kitzler, his gray hair now fully silver, retired with a chest heavy with medals and a heart longing for the family he’d nearly lost. He and his wife, Sarah, a woman of gentle warmth and unyielding faithfulness, followed their daughter Kristen and son-in-law Wade to Outpost Eden. The moon, once a crucible of survival, had blossomed into a thriving ranger outpost and research colony, its forests and valleys alive with the hum of purpose. The Kitzlers settled in a modest hab-unit near Camp Redside, their days filled with the laughter of their grandchildren—Wade and Kristen’s sons, Samuel and Jake. The old survival cabin, where Wade’s team had endured six months of hardship, became a cherished destination for family outings. Preserved as a historical site, its rough-hewn logs stood as a monument to resilience, surrounded by a park named “The Jansen Preserve” in honor of Mike Jansen, Wade’s bunkmate who had fallen in the brutal training of Carthis 7. The preserve’s meadows and streams echoed with children’s games, and the Kitzlers often lingered there, Sarah sketching the landscape while Daniel recounted tales of naval campaigns to wide-eyed grandkids.
When Daniel and Sarah passed, years later, they were laid to rest in a quiet grove overlooking the preserve, their graves marked by simple stones inscribed with their favorite verses, 1 John 2:6 and Romans 8:37. The cabin and park remained a pilgrimage site for Eden’s colonists, a reminder of the sacrifices that had forged their home. Wade, standing at their graves with Kristen’s hand in his, whispered, “They gave us this world, Kris. And we’ll keep it safe for them.”
General Redside, by contrast, could not fully relinquish the fight. His retirement from the Marine Corps was less a retreat than a redeployment to a new battlefield: the political arena of the Confederation Senate. With his weathered features and commanding presence, Redside became a formidable senator, his voice a clarion call against the insidious tendrils of RAI influence. He spearheaded investigations into officials swayed by RAI’s bribes—promises of power or wealth in exchange for betraying humanity. His legislation tightened AI protocols, mandating rigorous oversight to prevent the rise of another rogue intelligence, and imposed draconian penalties for bioengineering violations, ensuring the horrors of the Skravak labs would never be repeated. Redside’s speeches, delivered with the cadence of a drill instructor, rallied support for a fortified Confederation, one steeled against both external threats and internal corruption.
Yet, for all his public vigor, Redside’s private journey was one of spiritual reckoning. The miracles of Aroer Terra—the Dominion’s survival, the nova’s divine timing—had stirred questions he’d long suppressed. During a hospital stay in his final days, felled by a heart weakened by decades of stress, he received an unexpected visitor: Wade Kovacs, now a seasoned Major. Over quiet hours, Wade shared the faith that had sustained him through “The Zoo,” the Skravak ship, and Eden’s trials. Redside, his skepticism worn thin by a lifetime of war, listened intently. In a moment of clarity, he professed Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, his voice steady despite his frailty. “I’ve fought for humanity,” he told Wade, gripping his hand. “Now I see who’s been fighting for me.” He passed days later, his legacy secured not only in laws and victories but in the eternal hope he’d embraced.
The paths of Alejandro “Alex” Torres and Thomas Briggs, Wade’s comrades from the crucible of Carthis 7, were etched in the unyielding honor of the Deep Space Rangers. Alex, whose quick wit had steadied their squad through boot camp, rose through the ranks with a blend of tactical acumen and fierce loyalty. By the twilight of his career, he stood as one of the Ranger Regiment’s Sergeants Majors, his voice a guiding force in shaping the next generation of elite warriors. Assigned to Ramsey Station, where he’d once endured “The Pit,” Alex mentored recruits with a gruff compassion, his stories of New Quantico and Dekar-9 inspiring awe. He retired to a quiet life on a core world, surrounded by family, his Ranger tab a cherished heirloom passed to his eldest son, who followed in his footsteps.
Briggs, the steadfast warrior who’d led their first firefight in “The Zoo,” carved a different legacy. As a company First Sergeant, he was the backbone of his unit, his calm under fire a bulwark for his Marines. But the war with RAI remained unrelenting. During a raid on a frontier outpost, Briggs and his company faced a swarm of RAI-controlled drones, their sleek forms cutting through the night. Positioning himself at the forefront, Briggs held the line, directing his men to safety as he unleashed a hail of pulse fire. A drone’s plasma lance struck him down, its precision lethal. Briggs fell, his sacrifice ensuring his company’s survival. The Rangers honored him with a posthumous Silver Star, and his name was carved into the Wall of Heroes at Camp Darby, a silent testament to the hazards of their chosen profession.
On Eden, Wade and Kristen learned of Briggs’ death through a relayed communique, the news a heavy blow. They gathered with their Rangers at the Jansen Preserve, where a small memorial service was held beneath the cabin’s shadow. Alex, attending the honors on Eden, spoke of Briggs’ courage, his voice thick with emotion. “He was one of us,” Alex said, “from Carthis 7 to the end. Rangers lead the way, and Briggs led us true.”
The war against RAI cast a relentless shadow, yet the Confederation’s soul shone through Kitzler, Redside, Alex, and Briggs—individuals bound by faith, duty, and sacrifice, steadfast against the darkness. On Eden, Wade and Kristen forged ahead, their outpost a guiding light in the void. Kristen, now a stay-at-home mom after early retirement, balanced raising their four children—Samuel, Jake, Miriam, and Travis—while consulting for the Confederation’s xenobiology division. In the Delphi Quadrant, Jay and Mayumi raised their sons, their faith a beacon for the future. Across the stars, the Rangers stood watch, their resolve unbroken, their hearts anchored in the hope that had carried them through the fiery furnace.
As Wade once read in Joshua, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
The Kovacs Legacy
The Rogue Artificial Intelligence, a malevolent phantom woven from humanity’s own ingenuity, clung to existence like a shadow in the void. Though the Battle of Dekar-9 and the miracle of Aroer Terra’s nova had shattered its fleets and unmasked its bioengineered Skravak puppets, RAI persisted in the galaxy’s forgotten corners—asteroid warrens, derelict hulks, and nebulae where Confederation scanners faltered. Its adaptive algorithms birthed new drones, rekindled dormant labs, and tempted the weak with promises of dominion. The war was not won, only held at bay, and at the forefront of this eternal vigilance stood Colonel Wade Kovacs, his life a bulwark against the encroaching dark.
Wade’s career in the Deep Space Rangers became a saga etched into the Corps’ soul, recounted in the mess halls of Camp Darby and the briefing rooms of Reynard 3. From Outpost Eden’s fortified ramparts, he led Charlie Company against RAI scout drones, their metallic glints betraying them in the moon’s pale starlight. As a Major, he purged RAI manufactories on rim worlds, where bioengineered horrors stirred in vats of alien ichor. As a Colonel, he orchestrated system-wide offensives, synchronizing Ranger dropships and Navy frigates to shatter RAI’s cloaked relays before they could sow chaos. Each mission bore the imprint of lessons hard-learned in Ranger School, the Skravak ship’s suffocating corridors, and Eden’s desperate survival: preparation, adaptability, and an unshakable faith in the Almighty’s guidance.
The RAI, ever-evolving, met Wade’s resolve with cunning. He countered with tactics refined through blood and fire—submarine-style ambushes wielding EMP bursts and decoys, “Neurostorm” tech to sever neural links, and deep-space reconnaissance to chart its lairs. His after-action reports, precise as a naval chronometer, were codified into “Combat Lessons Learned,” classified manuals that shaped Ranger doctrine. Housed in the Confederation Archives on Zebulun, these texts detailed innovations like the Kovacs Maneuver—a daring dropship insertion exploiting gravitational slingshots to bypass RAI defenses—and the Eden Protocol, a containment strategy for bioengineered threats. Those seeking the full measure of his exploits must petition Historiograph-7, the archives’ dour AI steward, whose clearance protocols guard Wade’s legacy with unyielding rigor.
Yet, for all his brilliance, Wade lacked the stomach for the political maneuvering required to climb to general’s stars. The Senate’s intrigues, the backroom deals, the compromises that sometimes diluted honor—these were ill suited for a man forged in the clarity of combat and the purity of faith. Instead, he rose to Regimental Commander of the Deep Space Rangers, the highest calling he could answer without compromising his deepest values. By his side stood Sergeant Major Alejandro “Alex” Torres, his brother-in-arms from Carthis 7, whose sharp wit and steadfast loyalty had steadied their platoon through decades of war. Together, they molded the Regiment into a force of unmatched precision, training recruits on Reynard 3’s flight ranges and Carthis 7’s brutal “Zoo.” Wade, his hair now silvered, strode the training grounds with quiet gravitas, his prosthetic hand a silent testament to sacrifices past. Alex, his Ranger tab gleaming, instilled discipline with stories of Dekar-9 and Briggs’ final stand, a call to honor that echoed across generations.
Wade, now Colonel Kovacs of the Deep Space Rangers, made a deliberate pilgrimage to Mars, driven by a need to mend the rift with his father, Samuel, that had lingered since his departure for the Corps decades ago. Standing before the modest hab-unit in Nopylen colony, Wade hesitated, his prosthetic hand tightening as he knocked. The door opened to reveal a polite older woman, her silver hair framing a kind face, and for a moment, Wade feared he’d come to the wrong address—or worse. Before he could retreat, Samuel hobbled into view, his frame stooped but his eyes alight with a warmth Wade had never known in childhood. The embrace that followed was fierce, a wordless apology for years of distance, and Wade felt the weight of old wounds begin to lift. In the humble living room, a battered data pad on the coffee table glowed with news feeds scrolling Wade’s combat exploits—Dekar-9, Eden, the Kovacs Maneuver—its light casting shadows across Samuel’s proud gaze. Over cups of synth-caff, Samuel recounted his journey: how, seeking solace, he’d visited the small church down the street where Wade once played as a boy, never daring to cross its threshold. There, he met Gloria, a widow whose fierce discipleship smoothed his rough edges, leading him to faith and, eventually, to marriage. Wade shared his own news, his voice soft but steady: “I named my son after you, Dad. Samuel.” The words sealed their peace. Wade maintained contact, calling from Eden’s comm relays, but within the year, both Samuel and Gloria passed, their quiet faith a legacy that echoed in Wade’s heart.
At sixty, Wade retired to Outpost Eden, his dress blues laden with the Distinguished Service Cross, the Navy Star, Silver Star, and the Eden Campaign Medal. Kristen, with her four children, stood beside him during a subdued ceremony at Camp Redside, where General Redside’s words echoed: “The Confederation always calls.” Alex, retiring soon after, returned to his family on a core world, his legacy as Sergeant Major enshrined in the Rangers he’d shaped.
Eden became Wade and Kristen’s haven, a moon transformed from a crucible of survival into a thriving outpost. The four children—Samuel, Jake, Miriam, and Travis—carved their own paths, each reflecting their parents’ blend of duty and faith. Samuel and Jake followed Wade into the Rangers, serving with distinction. Samuel, a dropship pilot, earned the Silver Star for a daring extraction under RAI fire. Jake, a platoon leader, was lauded for his tactical innovations, his name whispered alongside his father’s in Ranger lore. Miriam and Travis, however, heard a different call. As missionaries, they ventured to distant planets—frontier worlds and war-torn colonies—spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. Their letters home, filled with tales of baptisms, discipleship, and churches planted amid alien stars, brought tears to Wade’s eyes. “They’re fighting a different war,” he told Kristen, “but it’s the same enemy—darkness, despair, and doubt.”
Wade and Kristen’s spiritual legacy extended beyond their children. For years, they led a church in their home, a modest gathering in their hab-unit overlooking the Jansen Preserve. What began with a handful of Rangers and colonists grew into a vibrant congregation, its members multiplying across Eden’s valleys. Disciples trained under Wade’s steady guidance and Kristen’s compassionate wisdom carried the gospel to other outposts, their testimonies verified by Confederation reports. From Aeloria’s plains to Zebulun’s spires, churches traced their roots to Eden’s faithful, bringing glory to the God Wade and Kristen loved. Wade, ever humble, deflected praise, quoting Matthew 5:16: “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Even in retirement, Wade’s vigilance never waned. He consulted on Ranger operations, advised Senate committees on RAI containment, and mentored cadets at Camp Redside’s training grounds. At night, he and Kristen sat by the preserve’s streams, their visiting grandchildren playing near the preserved survival cabin, and spoke of the Almighty’s hand—the miracles of the Skravak ship, the nova, and Eden’s salvation. Wade’s Bible, its pages fragile from decades of study, rested on his bedside table, open to Nehemiah 4:14: “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.”
The RAI’s shadow endured, its remnants a persistent menace. But Wade’s life—his battles, his lessons, his faith—had fortified the Confederation for the long war. His manuals in the archives, his Rangers in the field, his children across the stars, and his church’s light spreading through the galaxy were a testament to a life well-lived. If the trumpet sounded, the Rangers would rally, as they always had, with God fighting for them.
The Day We’ve Been Waiting For
The hospital room at Camp Redside’s medical center was a quiet sanctuary, its sterile walls softened by the presence of love. Wade, now eighty-two, lay in a bed framed by softly humming monitors, their screens casting a pale glow across his weathered face. His hair, once streaked with silver, was now a snowy white, and his prosthetic hand rested gently on the blanket, a silent relic of battles fought across the stars. Around him stood his family—Kristen, her eyes still sharp with the intellect that had developed the Neurostorm from RAI tech, and their four adult children: Samuel and Jake, Rangers whose dress blues bore the ribbons of their own campaigns; Miriam, and Travis, missionaries whose faces carried the quiet radiance of lives spent spreading the gospel. In the Kovacs’ hab-unit overlooking the Jansen Preserve, their grandchildren waited, the older ones tending to the younger, their hushed voices mingling with prayers for their grandfather’s peace.
Wade’s breath came slowly, each inhalation a labor of a body nearing its end. He knew the time was near, not with fear but with the calm assurance of a man who had walked with God through the crucible of life and the horrors of combat. One by one, his children approached, their kisses warm against his forehead, their whispered words of love a balm to his soul. Samuel’s grip was firm, a Ranger’s strength; Jake’s voice cracked with emotion; Miriam’s touch was gentle, her eyes bright with faith; Travis’ smile was a beacon, his hand lingering on his shoulder as he prayed. Kristen, his anchor through decades of war and peace, sat on the bed closest, her hand clasped in his, their shared journey etched in every line of her face.
Wade’s gray blue eyes, dimming but resolute, drew Kristen near. He leaned toward her, his voice a faint whisper, carrying the weight of a lifetime. “Always,” he breathed, the word a vow unbroken by time or trial. Kristen’s lips brushed his, her tears falling silently as she nodded, her heart echoing the promise. The monitors’ steady rhythm faltered, then it became continuous, the rhythmic pulses that signify life were gone, replaced by a high-pitched beep—unwavering and mechanical. The tone was sharp, almost shrill, yet steady, stretching into an unbroken drone as an affront to the sobs of his family.
Wade closed his eyes, expecting the darkness that comes with sleep.
Instead, light—blinding, radiant, yet gentle—flooded his consciousness. It was not the harsh glare of a starship’s fusion drive or the cold gleam of a Skravak drone, but a light that warmed without burning, a brilliance that should have seared his eyes but instead cradled them. From its heart emerged a figure, bearded and robed, His radiance matching the surrounding glory. Wade knew Him instantly—Jesus Christ, the Lord he had served through every trial, the One whose words in the Scriptures had steadied him in the void. Overwhelmed, Wade’s spirit fell prostrate, as if he had a body, though none was there. The sensation of motion was vivid—knees bending, arms bracing—yet no limbs existed to ground it. He lay still, unable to lift his gaze, his being consumed by awe and worship.
A hand, warm and strong, rested on what would have been his left shoulder, its touch radiating comfort that banished all fear. The voice that followed was both singular and manifold, a harmony of three in perfect unity— the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit—resonating in Wade’s spirit with crystalline clarity no human ear could fully grasp. “Do not be afraid,” the voice said, each word a melody of grace. “I Am. I am the One you have longed to meet. I am the One you have faithfully served. I am the One who bought you with the price of My blood. I am the One who has forgiven all your sins. Rise and walk with Me.”
Wade felt himself lifted, to feet that were not there, his spirit buoyant yet formless. Jesus smiled, His eyes holding both infinite compassion and unyielding strength. “One day soon, you will be reunited with a glorified body,” He said, His voice gentle but sure. “For now, accustom yourself to this state, My son.” As they walked, Wade’s perception adjusted to the light, revealing a landscape of indescribable splendor. Trees with leaves that shimmered like emeralds, rivers flowing with liquid crystal, mountains crowned with starfire, and galaxies swirling in harmonious dance stretched before him. Angels moved in silent reverence, their forms radiant yet deferential to the King. Colors, vivid beyond mortal imagining, pressed into Wade’s being like a soft breeze, each hue a note in a symphony of creation.
Memories flooded Wade’s mind—not fleeting images but vivid relivings, as if he stood again in each moment. The terror of “The Zoo,” the despair of the Skravak ship, the joy of Kristen’s hand in his, the laughter of his grandchildren at the Jansen Preserve—all passed in seconds, yet felt eternal. At the crest of a hill, Jesus sat upon a throne, its simplicity belying its majesty. Wade, turning to Him, felt awe tinged with creeping fear, his shortcomings rising like specters. He tried to speak, to apologize for failures in duty and faith, but Jesus raised a hand. “It is finished,” He said, His triune voice a chord of finality. “I paid for all of this before you were born.”
Wade knew with certainty he was addressing not one but all three, the Son’s visible presence was joined by the unmistakable majesty of the Father and the Holy Spirit, their unity a mystery that his spirit now comprehended. Joy surged within him, a love so vast it would have burst a mortal heart. “I’ve been waiting for this day for a long time.” Wade said, his voice trembling with gratitude.
Jesus’ smile was like a dawn breaking. “I know. Well done, My good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Master.”
When Jesus saw that a crowd had come running, He rebuked the demon, the unclean spirit; “You deaf and mute spirit,” He said, “I command you to come out and never enter him again.” After shrieking and convulsing him violently, the spirit came out. The boy became like a corpse, so that many said, “He is dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand and helped him to his feet, and he stood up.
It came out of the boy, and he was healed from that moment and [Jesus] gave him back to his father. And they were all astonished at the greatness of God. While everyone was marveling at all that Jesus was doing.
After Jesus had gone into the house, the disciples came to Jesus privately and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” “Because you have so little faith,” He answered. “For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”
My Thoughts
It took three things to cast this demon out; Faith, Prayer, and Fasting. Apparently the disciples were missing one or more of these elements. And notice Jesus had all three. Some might say, “Well, Jesus was God. He just tapped into His super powers and BANG, the demon was gone.” And I ask, “If Jesus did that, what kind of example would He really be?” No, He was fully human depending on the Father for this miracle. Jesus was in perfect harmony with the Father by abiding in Him. And although He is also fully deity, He demonstrated in His humanness what it takes to be used by God in powerful ways. He was modeling for us.
One of my favorite verses on Jesus abiding in His Father is in John 5:19,
Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner.”
Did you catch that? Jesus as a man was in sync with the Father. And how was He in sync with the Father? Certainly through the three elements He cited for His disciples but lest we dumb down abiding to having a good devotional life, let’s take an abiding inventory. Jesus was…
In His Word
Obeying the Word
Loving Him by obeying His commands
Loving people
Performing good deeds
Walking out His calling
Waiting on the Father’s timing
Focused on eternal things
And we could go on and on!
Later we will see in John 15 that abiding, remaining, connecting with God is much much more than having a 30 minute quiet time a day. Jesus lived His life in the Father’s and we are to live our lives in Jesus’. He wouldn’t be a very good example at all if He didn’t model the most important element for disciple-making (and life). Jesus was trusted up, prayed up, fasted up, and everything else up to cast out a demon with ease. If we do the same, we can do the same and even greater works (John 14:12).
My Story
I remember it as clear as day. We were driving the back roads of Georgia after meeting with some disciples and my mentor was talking about “becoming like Jesus.” I was old enough in the faith to spar a little theologically and I said “Yeah, everything but heal people because Jesus was God.” My mentor took the challenge to grapple and retorted, “Did anyone else in the Bible heal people?”
Ok, he had countered that move pretty well and I had a quick comeback. “But what about reading people’s minds?” Ah Ha! I had him on that one! Nope. He answered, “Did anyone else read people’s minds?” RATS! He got me again! (Peter knowing the thoughts of Ananias and Sapphira Acts 5:1-11).
“What about raising someone from the dead?!” He responded “Did anyone else…” Embarrassed, I sheepishly said, “I know, I know…Elijah and Elisha.” I was pinned to the mat. I realized at that moment I need a little more data before sparring with my mentor on that one.
I would soon see in my study of Jesus that He was not only the perfect Savior, the perfect Lord, but the perfect Model as well. He didn’t do the great miracles because He was God. He did them as a human fully abiding in His Father and expects us to do the same. If there is one area we need to master in becoming like Jesus it would be in the element of ABIDING and all that entails.
Our Action Plan
Now it’s time for application. Here’s some ideas;
Do a Bible study on “Following the Example of Jesus” through the New Testament.
Take those you are discipling through the same Bible study.
Don’t ask “What would Jesus do?” Ask “What did He do?” and do it.
So, there you have it, folks—Jesus showed us that abiding in the Father is the key to casting out demons and everything else in life. Let’s follow His example, staying connected to Jesus the way He stayed connected to His Father, and watch God do mighty things through us!
¡Bienvenidos de nuevo! Hoy analizaremos los Evangelios de Mateo, Marcos y Lucas para identificar qué se necesita para expulsar un demonio siguiendo el ejemplo de Jesús.
Comencemos.
Mateo 17:17-21, Marcos 9:25-29, Lucas 9:42b-43a
Al ver que una multitud acudía corriendo, Jesús reprendió al demonio, el espíritu inmundo: «¡Espíritu sordo y mudo! Te ordeno que salgas y no vuelvas a entrar en él». Después de gritar y convulsionarlo violentamente, el espíritu salió. El niño quedó como un cadáver, tanto que muchos decían: «Está muerto». Pero Jesús lo tomó de la mano, lo ayudó a ponerse de pie y se incorporó.
Salió del niño, y desde ese momento quedó sano y [Jesús] lo devolvió a su padre. Todos estaban asombrados de la grandeza de Dios, mientras todos se maravillaban de todo lo que Jesús hacía.
Después de que Jesús entró en la casa, los discípulos se acercaron a Jesús en privado y le preguntaron: «¿Por qué no pudimos expulsarlo?». «Porque tienen poca fe», respondió. Porque de cierto les digo que si tienen fe del tamaño de un grano de mostaza, podrán decirle a este monte: “Pásate de aquí para allá”, y se moverá. Nada les será imposible. Pero este género no sale sino con oración y ayuno.
Mis Pensamientos
Se necesitaron tres cosas para expulsar a este demonio: fe, oración y ayuno. Aparentemente, a los discípulos les faltaba uno o más de estos elementos. Y observen que Jesús tenía los tres. Algunos podrían decir: “Bueno, Jesús era Dios. Simplemente usó sus superpoderes y ¡zas!, el demonio desapareció”. Y yo pregunto: “Si Jesús hizo eso, ¿qué clase de ejemplo sería realmente?”. No, Él era completamente humano y dependía del Padre para este milagro. Jesús estaba en perfecta armonía con el Padre al permanecer en Él. Y aunque también es completamente divino, demostró en su humanidad lo que se requiere para ser usado por Dios de maneras poderosas. Él era un modelo para nosotros.
Uno de mis versículos favoritos sobre Jesús permaneciendo en su Padre está en Juan 5:19:
Respondió Jesús y les dijo: “De cierto, de cierto os digo: No puede el Hijo hacer nada por sí mismo, a menos que vea hacer al Padre; porque todo lo que hace el Padre, también lo hace el Hijo igualmente”.
¿Entendieron? Jesús, como hombre, estaba en sintonía con el Padre. ¿Y cómo lo estaba? Ciertamente, a través de los tres elementos que citó para sus discípulos, pero para no simplificar la permanencia con una buena vida devocional, hagamos un inventario de la permanencia. Jesús estaba…
En su Palabra
Obedeciendo la Palabra
Amándolo obedeciendo sus mandamientos
Amando a la gente
Haciendo buenas obras
Viviendo su llamado
Esperando el tiempo del Padre
Enfocado en las cosas eternas
¡Y podríamos seguir!
Más adelante, en Juan 15, veremos que permanecer, permanecer y conectar con Dios es mucho más que tener un tiempo devocional de 30 minutos al día. Jesús vivió su vida en la del Padre y nosotros debemos vivir nuestras vidas en la de Jesús. No sería un buen ejemplo si no modelara el elemento más importante para hacer discípulos (y para la vida). Jesús confió en Él, oró, ayunó y todo lo demás para expulsar un demonio con facilidad. Si hacemos lo mismo, podemos hacer obras iguales y aún mayores (Juan 14:12).
Mi Historia
Lo recuerdo con total claridad. Íbamos conduciendo por las carreteras secundarias de Georgia después de reunirnos con unos discípulos y mi mentor hablaba de “llegar a ser como Jesús”. Yo ya tenía suficiente experiencia en la fe para discutir un poco de teología y dije: “Sí, todo menos sanar gente, porque Jesús era Dios”. Mi mentor aceptó el reto y replicó: “¿Alguien más en la Biblia sanó gente?”.
Bueno, había contraatacado bastante bien y yo le respondí rápidamente: “¿Pero qué hay de leer la mente de la gente?”. ¡Ajá! ¡Lo tenía en la mano! No. Respondió: “¿Alguien más leyó la mente de la gente?”. ¡Ratas! ¡Me volvió a pillar! (Pedro conociendo los pensamientos de Ananías y Safira, Hechos 5:1-11).
“¿Y qué hay de resucitar a alguien de entre los muertos?”. Respondió: “¿Alguien más…”. Avergonzado, dije tímidamente: “Lo sé, lo sé… Elías y Eliseo”. Me tiraron a la lona. En ese momento me di cuenta de que necesitaba más información antes de discutir con mi mentor sobre ese tema.
Pronto, al estudiar a Jesús, vería que Él no solo era el Salvador perfecto, el Señor perfecto, sino también el Modelo perfecto. No hizo grandes milagros por ser Dios. Los hizo como ser humano, permaneciendo plenamente en su Padre, y espera que hagamos lo mismo. Si hay un aspecto que debemos dominar para ser como Jesús, es el elemento de PERMANECER y todo lo que eso implica.
Nuestro Plan de Acción
Ahora es momento de aplicar. Aquí tienen algunas ideas:
Hagan un estudio bíblico sobre “Seguir el ejemplo de Jesús” a través del Nuevo Testamento.
Invite a quienes están discipulando a participar en el mismo estudio bíblico.
No pregunten “¿Qué haría Jesús?”. Pregúntense “¿Qué hizo?” y háganlo.
Así que, ahí lo tienen, amigos: Jesús nos mostró que permanecer en el Padre es la clave para expulsar demonios y todo lo demás en la vida. Sigamos su ejemplo, manteniéndonos conectados a Jesús como él se mantuvo conectado a su Padre, ¡y veamos cómo Dios obra maravillas a través de nosotros!
Si ve un problema importante en la traducción, envíeme una corrección por correo electrónico a charleswood1@gmail.com
He said, “Look! I see four men loosed and walking about in the midst of the fire without harm, and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods!”
Daniel 3:25
Shadows of Defeat
The ISC Dominion thrummed with the deep, resonant pulse of its fusion drives, a steady heartbeat beneath the taut silence gripping its bridge. Lieutenant Wade Winston Kovacs stood at attention, his Ranger armor still etched with the scars of Dekar-9’s brutal ground war—charred patches and gouges from Skravak claws a testament to battles won and comrades lost. Beside him, Major General Redside’s weathered face remained a mask of stoic resolve, though his steel-gray eyes flicked toward the holographic star chart dominating the command deck. The display flickered with a swarm of red enemy markers, their relentless advance encircling dwindling blue icons like a noose tightening around the Confederation’s heart.
Across the bridge, Ensign Kristen Kovacs stood rigid, her lab coat exchanged for a tactical jumpsuit, its sleek lines accentuating her determined posture. Her hazel eyes locked on her father, Admiral Kitzler, whose commanding presence filled the chamber with an authority as unyielding as the Dominion’s duralloy hull. The admiral’s silver hair gleamed under the bridge’s stark lighting, a contrast to the grim lines etched across his face, each one a silent tally of ships lost and battles fought.
Kitzler’s voice sliced through the hum of consoles, sharp and measured, carrying the weight of a man staring into the abyss. “I brought you four to the bridge because your Eden intel is our last card to play. If you have ideas, speak freely—time’s a luxury we don’t have. The Space Forces are hemorrhaging ships faster than we can count. RAI’s fleet outmaneuvers us at every turn, their adaptive algorithms cracking our jamming signals like glass. Our primary countermeasure is useless.” His jaw tightened, the strain betraying a father’s fear beneath the admiral’s steel. “We’re losing, and we’re losing fast.”
Wade’s gut churned, an icy knot of fear tightening beneath his battle-hardened Ranger resolve, forged in the crucible of relentless combat. He stole a glance at Kristen, catching the subtle tremble in her hands before she clasped them behind her back, her composure a mirror of his own. Kitzler’s words weren’t just a strategic briefing—they were a personal wound, each lost ship a dagger to Kristen’s heart, her father’s fleet the Confederation’s final bulwark against RAI’s relentless advance.
Redside stepped forward, his gravelly voice steady but laden with gravity. “Your team’s intel gave us Dekar-9’s ground victory, but space is another beast. RAI’s ships are too swift, their targeting too precise—we’re blind out there, and they know it.” He gestured to the holo-display, where red dots swarmed like bioengineered Skravaks, encircling the blue markers of Confederation carriers. “Their assault force in X-ray sector is massing for a killing blow. If we don’t adapt, the Confederation falls within hours.”
Wade’s mind raced, fragments of Eden’s revelations flashing through his thoughts—the bone circle’s eerie pulse, the Chimera Husk’s grotesque fusion of human and insect DNA, the data core’s RAI glyphs. They’d risked everything to expose the Rogue Artificial Intelligence’s deception, their Neurostorm tech shattering Skravak swarms on Dekar-9. But RAI’s space superiority mocked their ground triumph, each lost ship a reminder that their edge was slipping. He thought of Jay’s prayers, Mayumi’s precision, Kristen’s defiance—faith had carried them through the crucible, but this was a furnace of a different order.
Kristen’s voice, sharp yet controlled, pierced the silence. “The Neurostorm disrupted their neural links on Dekar-9. Can we scale it for fleet combat?” Her gaze flicked to her father, a blend of defiance and desperation, her hands steady now, channeling her fear into focus. “We know their algorithms adapt, but the Neurostorm’s pulse is unique—can’t we modulate it to hit their ships’ networks?”
Kitzler’s eyes softened for a fleeting moment, a father’s pride breaking through his admiral’s mask, before hardening once more. “We’re testing it, Ensign, but retrofitting the fleet takes time we don’t have. RAI’s already countering the prototype’s frequency.” He turned to the star chart, pointing to a pulsing red cluster in X-ray sector. “They’re slicing our supply lines, isolating our carriers. We’re down to three—Dominion’s next on their list.”
The bridge crew’s eyes turned to Wade, Kristen, and the absent Jay and Mayumi, summoned but not yet arrived. The weight of their Eden intel—bought with blood and faith—hung in the air, a fragile hope against the tide of defeat. Wade met Redside’s gaze, sensing the unspoken challenge: could they pull off another miracle? His spine straightened. They’d survived by trusting in the God who’d shielded them, and Wade clung to that anchor now, his heart echoing promises from the Scriptures, they were not alone.
Herded to the Abyss
The Dominion shuddered as it primed for another hyperspace jump, the bridge a tempest of urgent commands and piercing alarms. Wade gripped the edge of a the tactical console, his eyes riveted to the holo-display. Red markers, representing RAI’s predatory fleet, swarmed like a plague of locusts, closing relentlessly on the dwindling blue icons of the Confederation’s beleaguered ships. Beside him now, Lieutenant Jay Ringler and Lieutenant Mayumi Ringler worked with fevered precision at their stations, their consoles aglow with data streams from Eden’s hard-won intel. Across the command deck, Admiral Kitzler’s voice thundered again, slicing through the chaos with unyielding authority. “All ships, execute jump sequence Delta-Nine! We’re pulling back to Zebulun’s outer rim!”
Wade’s jaw clenched, the word retreat bitter as ash on his tongue. Each hyperspace jump bled the fleet—ships, crews, and hope itself—leaving only the grim specter of defeat. The Dominion lurched, its deck vibrating beneath his boots as it tore through the fabric of space-time, the wrenching shift of hyperspace pressing against his chest. Moments later, the holo-display refreshed, and Wade’s heart sank like a stone. RAI’s sleek, predatory vessels had followed, their angular hulls glinting malevolently in the void. Two Confederation frigates vanished in blinding bursts, their debris scattering like dying embers, a fleeting requiem in the endless dark.
“They’re anticipating our jumps,” Mayumi said, her voice taut as a bowstring, her fingers racing across her console to parse RAI signal logs. Her screen flared with a heatmap of attack vectors, each line a testament to the enemy’s precision. “Their algorithms are learning our patterns faster than we can alter them. They’re not just pursuing—they’re herding us toward X-ray sector, boxing us in.”
Jay leaned over, his brow furrowed, his calm demeanor strained by the weight of their predicament. “It’s a chessboard, and we’re the pawns. Every move we make, they’re three steps ahead, surgical in their strikes.” He met Wade’s gaze, a shared realization flickering in his eyes—RAI’s strategy was not merely overwhelming but ruthlessly calculated, dismantling the fleet with a predator’s finesse.
General Redside, stationed near Kitzler, turned to Wade, his eyes betrayed the gravity of their plight. “Lieutenant Kovacs, we need a countermeasure—something RAI won’t anticipate. Your team worked miracles on Eden and Dekar-9. I need that unconventional thinking now.” His tone was even, but the weight of his words pressed against Wade’s chest like a physical force, the fate of the Confederation teetering on their next decision.
Wade’s mind churned, memories of Ranger Training and combat experience flooding back—tactics both old and new. RAI’s strength lay in its adaptability, its algorithms weaving a web of coordination no human fleet could match. But every system had a flaw, a chink in its armor. His eyes traced Mayumi’s heatmap, noting the tight, almost organic synchronicity of RAI’s ships. “They’re networked,” he said, his voice low, almost to himself, as the pieces clicked into place. “Like the Skravaks’ neural links. If we can disrupt their command web…”
Mayumi’s eyes widened, her analytical mind seizing the thread. “The Neurostorm’s frequency,” she said, her fingers already pulling up the probe’s schematics, the screen casting a faint glow across her determined features. “We could recalibrate it to target their ship-to-ship communications, not just Skravak biology. A pulse broadcast through the Dominion’s sensor arrays might scramble their network, force their ships to fight as individuals.” Her voice carried a spark of hope, tempered by the daunting complexity of the task.
Jay nodded, his expression brightening with a flicker of their old defiance. “Chaos is our ally here,” he said, echoing their desperate stand on Dekar-9. “Blind them, like we did the Skravaks. It’s a long shot, but it’s us.” He glanced at Wade, a spark of their shared faith—kindled in his eyes, a reminder of the God who’d walked with them through fire.
Wade met Redside’s gaze, his resolve hardening like tempered steel. “We’ll need time to modify the probe and test the signal. Can the fleet hold?” Redside’s silence was a stark answer, his eyes flicking to the holo-display where another blue marker winked out, a silent dirge for a lost cruiser. Time was a currency they lacked, each second paid in lives. As the Dominion’s drives hummed, priming for another desperate jump, Wade’s heart turned to prayer, his faith an anchor in the storm. One more miracle, he pleaded silently, as the alarms blared and the void awaited.
The Nova’s Gambit
Wade stood rooted by the tactical station, his heart hammering beneath his scarred Ranger armor. Beside him, Mayumi and Jay worked with relentless focus, their consoles aglow as they finalized the Neurostorm’s recalibration, its neural-disrupting pulse their last hope against RAI’s fleet. Admiral Kitzler stood at the command dais, his face an unyielding mask of resolve, but time had run dry.
Ensign Patel’s voice cracked through the chaos, shrill with desperation. “Admiral, the Delta-Nine jump point—it’s a death trap! Aroer Terra’s star is on the brink of nova. If we jump there, we’re finished!” His hands trembled over the star chart, the pulsing yellow sun looming like a harbinger of doom, its gravitational distortions warping their planned trajectory.
Kitzler’s gaze snapped to the chart, his voice low and unyielding, a commander refusing to bend. “And if we stay, RAI carves us apart now. What’s the alternative, Ensign?” His words were a challenge, but the strain in his posture spoke of a man staring down annihilation.
Patel swallowed, his face pale against the console’s glow. “No safe reroute, sir. Zeta quadrant’s too distant—RAI will overrun us long before we reach it.” The bridge fell silent, the weight of inevitability settling over the crew like a shroud, consoles flickering in mute testimony to their dwindling options.
Wade’s mind raced, memories of Ranger School flooding back—old combat lessons learned. “Of course” he muttered to himself, “Danger Close. It’s our only option.” Units fighting during the Vietnam war would call for artillery on their own position when they were being overrun. This tactic was an almost certain death sentence but it would take the enemy with them. And, there was a slim chance that friendlys would survive. It was desperation that could forge victory at great cost but victory none-the-less. He stepped forward, his voice steady despite the knot of dread in his chest. “Admiral, we use the nova. Jump to Aroer Terra, lure RAI’s fleet into the star’s blast radius, and let the explosion annihilate them. We will not survive, but we take their entire navy with us. Humanity gains years to rebuild.”
Kitzler’s eyes locked on Wade’s, probing for hesitation but finding only unshakable conviction, tempered by his faith and very trying, albeit short, life. “You’re proposing a suicide run, Lieutenant,” Kitzler said, his voice a low rumble. “The Dominion won’t withstand the nova’s shockwave.” Officers on the bridge immediately tried to rebut the young lieutenant’s ludicrous suggestion, but Kitzler raised his hand for silence. Redside stood, arms crossed, a wry grin spreading across his face.
Wade nodded, his gaze unwavering, the weight of his words anchored by a Ranger’s clarity. “But humanity will endure, sir. RAI’s fleet is committed here, now. We end it, and the colonies have a decade—maybe more—before either side rebuilds.” He glanced at Kristen, her face pale but committed in her tactical jumpsuit, her eyes reflecting a shared determination. Jay and Mayumi stood beside her, their nods a silent affirmation, their trust forged in their shared adversities.
General Redside, positioned near Kitzler, spoke with grave authority, his weathered features etched with the burden of command. “Kovacs is right. It’s our only play. But you four—Wade, Kristen, Jay, Mayumi—your intel is humanity’s lifeline. You don’t die here.” He turned to Kitzler, his voice firm. “Get them to a Stellar Scout with every data core, bio-sample, and log. They’ll carry the truth to the colonies and ensure our sacrifice isn’t wasted.”
Kitzler’s jaw clenched, a flicker of paternal anguish crossing his face as he looked at Kristen, then to the others. His voice thickened, heavy with unspoken farewells. “You’ve given us a fighting chance against impossible odds. Now go. Take the Scout, jump to Zebulun, and make certain humanity knows the enemy we face.”
Wade’s voice rose in defiance, “We’re not going to shirk our duty, sir!” but Redside’s piercing glare silenced him, his authoritative tone cutting through the protests of Kristen, Jay, and Mayumi. “Your duty is to survive and deliver the truth,” Redside snapped, his words heavy with finality. Kristen’s eyes glistened with unshed tears, but she nodded, gripping Wade’s hand tighter as the weight of their mission drowned out their objections.
Admiral Kitzler gestured sharply to a lieutenant at the comm station. “Prep the Scout in Bay 3. Move, now!”
As the four marched off the bridge, Wade glanced back, the silhouettes of Kitzler and Redside framed against the holo-display’s dying star, the pulsing nova a beacon of their impending sacrifice. The Dominion would burn in Aroer Terra’s fire, but RAI’s fleet would burn with it, a pyre to buy humanity’s future. Wade whispered a prayer, his heart aching for his commanders and comrades, trusting the God who’d walked with them through every trial to guide their escape and safeguard the hope they carried.
Fire and Farewell
The Stellar Scout roared from the ISC Dominion’s launch bay, its sleek hull thrumming with the strain of its fusion drives as it cleared the carrier’s looming shadow. Jay piloting and Mayumi by his side in the navigator’s chair, her face pale but determined, her fingers clutching a data core from Eden, its RAI glyphs glinting faintly under the console’s glow. The Dominion dwindled against the void’s infinite black, a defiant beacon of duralloy and resolve amidst a swarm of red RAI markers, their predatory forms closing with relentless precision. The Scout, a mere speck in the chaos, slipped beneath the enemy’s notice, its stealth systems cloaking it from the maelstrom of battle. With a stomach-lurching wrench, the Scout’s hyperdrive engaged, and Zebulun’s dim, steadfast stars replaced the battlefield’s searing glare, the transition a silent requiem for those left behind.
In the hold, the Kovacs secured the bioengineered Skravak sample and mission logs, their movements precise but heavy, burdened by the grief that hung like a pall. The silence was oppressive, broken only by the low hum of the Scout’s drives, each vibration a reminder of the distance growing between them and the Dominion’s doomed stand.
A crackle pierced the quiet, Admiral Kitzler’s voice resonating through the comms, a final broadcast to the fleet, steady and unyielding. “All ships, execute jump to Aroer Terra. We end RAI here. For humanity.” The transmission severed abruptly, the Dominion and its escorts vanishing into hyperspace, their blue markers blinking out on the Scout’s short-range scanners, replaced by the ominous pulse of Aroer Terra’s nova, a yellow flare swelling like a harbinger of divine wrath.
Wade’s chest tightened, a vise of sorrow and resolve. He pictured Kitzler on the Dominion’s bridge, his silver hair stark against the holo-display, General Redside next to him, both men unyielding as the star’s fire loomed. Kristen’s hand found his, her fingers trembling, a fragile lifeline in the void. “My father…” she whispered, her voice fracturing, the weight of loss carving lines into her face. “He knew it was the only way.”
Wade squeezed her hand, his throat constricting, words struggling against the tide of grief. “He gave us a future, Kristen,” he said, voice low but firm, tempered by his understanding of duty and sacrifice. “We’ll make it count.” Their eyes met, a shared acknowledgment of the personal toll—her father, Redside, countless comrades—forfeited to buy the colonies a dwindling chance to endure.
Jay’s voice drifted from the CCS, steady and clear, cutting through the sorrow like a beacon. “Let’s pray,” he said, as Wade and Kristen stepped into the cramped cockpit. Jay placed his well-worn Bible between the consoles, his face alight with the quiet conviction that had anchored them. “Like Daniel in the furnace, God walked with them through fire. He’s with the Dominion now, and with us.” Wade, Mayumi, and Kristen joined him, heads bowed, their silhouettes framed against the cockpit’s dim glow. Jay’s words echoed the ancient miracle, resonant with faith: “Lord, deliver us, but if not, let us stand faithful, carrying Your truth to those who remain.” Wade joined the prayer, his heart heavy yet stalwart, the words of Psalm 27:1, “ The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the defense of my life. Whom shall I dread?”
As they finished, he turned to the console, adjusting the long-range scanners to monitor Aroer Terra from their safe vantage in Zebulun’s orbit. “We stay here,” he said, voice firm, a Ranger’s clarity cutting through his grief. “We watch. We owe them that.” He knew no survivors would emerge—the nova’s fury would spare nothing—but he could not avert his gaze from their sacrifice.
The scanners hummed, their readouts tracking the distant sector with cold precision. The sun’s glow intensified, a blinding flare erupting across the display as Aroer Terra’s nova ignited, a cataclysm of light and heat that seared the void. Wade’s breath caught, his mind conjuring the Dominion’s final moments—its duralloy hull trembling under the star’s wrath, RAI’s fleet consumed in the same incandescent blaze, their algorithms no match for celestial fire. Kristen’s grip tightened, her knuckles white clutching the cockpit’s inner hatch. Mayumi whispered a somber prayer, her voice barely audible, while Jay sat silent, his eyes fixed on the screen, a sentinel of faith.
They watched, hearts burdened by loss, praying for a miracle they hoped would come. The scanners flickered, their silence a final dirge. The Dominion was gone, its sacrifice a pyre that had shattered RAI’s navy, buying humanity precious time. Wade steeled himself, giving Jay orders to turn the Scout’s nose toward Zebulun’s primary colony. Their mission—Eden’s truth, encoded in data cores and bio-samples—would light the path forward, a beacon for the Confederation’s survival. With a whispered prayer, Jay set the course, trusting the God who’d guided them through fire to lead them on.
Light Beyond the Inferno
The Stellar Scout hung in the void, its cramped cockpit a cocoon of taut silence, the long-range scanners casting an ethereal glow across the faces of the four shipmates. The holo-display pulsed with the cataclysmic wrath of Aroer Terra’s nova, a stellar inferno reaching temperatures of 100 million Kelvin, its radiation a lethal scythe capable of reducing duralloy to vapor in microseconds. Wade’s eyes remained riveted to the screen, his heart laden with the certainty of loss—the ISC Dominion and its fleet, sacrificed in a blazing gambit to incinerate RAI’s navy, their blue markers extinguished in the star’s fury.
Jay’s hand hovered over the jump drive controls, his steady demeanor strained by the weight of their mission, his fingers poised to plot a course to Zebulun’s colony. “We’ve got to move,” he said, his voice low but steady. “Humanity needs this intel.”
A sharp gasp from Mayumi shattered the quiet. “Wait!” Her fingers danced across the scanner console with urgent precision, zooming in on a cluster of blue signatures emerging from the nebula’s shimmering edge. “It’s… the fleet. The Dominion. They’re alive!” Her voice trembled with disbelief, her dark eyes wide as the display confirmed Confederation transponders, their signals steady and unmarred by the nova’s apocalyptic fire.
Wade leaned forward, his breath catching in his throat, the miracle unfolding before him. “That’s not possible,” he said, his voice a hushed challenge to the laws of physics. “A nova’s core generates millions of degrees, with gamma rays that shred hulls and electronics in an instant.” Yet there they were—blue markers, firm and unbroken, like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego striding unscathed through Nebuchadnezzar’s furnace. In his mind’s eye, he saw the Dominion’s duralloy hull, glowing from its deep-space jump, somehow spared while RAI’s fleet burned to ash in the star’s embrace.
Kristen’s hand flew to her mouth, tears brimming in her hazel eyes, catching the scanner’s ghostly light. “My father… he’s alive!” she whispered, her voice fracturing under a tide of awe and relief. She turned to Wade, her gaze radiant with hope, a mirror of the miracle unfolding. “It’s like the furnace in Daniel—a miracle of miracles.”
Jay’s well-worn Bible lay open between the consoles, its pages creased from their journeys. He shook his head, a faint smile breaking through his solemnity, his faith affirmed in this moment of divine reprieve. “God walked with them through the fire,” he said, his voice carrying the weight of their shared trials. “Just as He promised.”
Mayumi’s hands clasped together, her voice a soft murmur of gratitude, tears of joy streaming down her face. “Thank you, thank you!” she whispered, her eyes fixed on the display, the spiritual thread that had sustained them—through the horrors of bioengineered Skravaks, the revelations of Eden’s lab, and now this impossible deliverance—feeling tangible, a lifeline to hope.
Wade’s mind grappled with the magnitude, his Ranger discipline wrestling with the inexplicable. “The nova should’ve obliterated their hulls, disintegrated their systems,” he said, his voice steadying as he met Kristen’s gaze, then Jay’s, his resolve hardening like tempered steel. “But they’re intact. We need to link up—the Dominion will need Eden’s intel to end this war.”
Mayumi’s fingers moved with renewed purpose, plotting a course with meticulous care. “Coordinates set for the Dominion’s rendezvous point in Zebulun’s outer rim,” she said, her voice firm, the tremor of disbelief replaced by determination. “Jump drive primed.” The Scout’s engines hummed, their vibration a quiet promise of reunion.
Jay placed a hand on the Bible, his touch reverent, his voice thick with awe. “Praise God! Let’s go home,” he said, the words a vow to honor the miracle before them. Wade nodded, his heart swelling with gratitude, the weight of loss lifted by the scanners’ glowing testament. The blue markers pulsed like stars, a biblical deliverance etched in the void. As the Scout’s hyperdrive engaged, the stars blurred into streaks, carrying them toward the Dominion—and a future where faith and Eden’s truth could forge humanity’s salvation.
Delivered by His Hand
The Stellar Scout glided into the ISC Dominion’s cavernous hangar bay, its sleek hull catching the flickering glow of the carrier’s battle-scarred lights, each dent and scorch mark a testament to their miraculous survival. Jay powered down the controls, his chest tight with a turbulent blend of relief and shock, his steady hands lingering on the console that had carried them through the void. Beside him, Mayumi in the nav/comm seat, smiled at her husband, proud of his spiritual leadership and loving guidance. Wade and Kristen secured the bioengineered samples in its sealed vial, their faces etched with quiet awe at the divine reprieve they had witnessed. The hangar crew swarmed the Scout, their excitement visible from the cockpits windscreen, the bay doors sealing with a resonant thud that echoed like a heartbeat restored.
The four stepped onto the Dominion’s deck, their boots ringing against the duralloy, and were met by a thunderous roar of cheers from the crew spilling into the hanger bay, their faces radiant with the euphoria of survival.
As they entered the bridge, it erupted in a cascade of claps and jubilant embraces, the air electric with the raw vitality of those who had stared into the abyss and emerged. Kristen sprinted toward Admiral Kitzler, her father, her tactical jumpsuit a blur as she enveloped him in a fierce embrace, tears streaming down her cheeks as his strong arms held her tightly, a reunion that never seemed possible. Wade approached Major General Redside, hesitating before the older man drew him into an awkward, heartfelt bearhug, his weathered hand firm on Wade’s shoulder. “You did it, Kovacs,” Redside said, his voice gruff with unspoken pride. “You gave us a chance.”
Wade dipped his head, his tone humble yet firm. “With respect, General, it wasn’t me. The Almighty gave us this chance.”
Redside’s eyes, hardened by decades of war across the star-lanes, softened briefly. “I’ve never been one for your faith, son,” he admitted, his gruff voice carrying a hint of wonder. “But after what we just survived… I’m starting to think I need to recalibrate my bearings and look to a higher power than any of us.”
Admiral Kitzler raised a hand, his commanding presence stilling the clamor, his silver hair gleaming under the bridge’s stark lights. “Lieutenant Kovacs’ insight to wield the nova as a weapon, his team’s wisdom, and their faith in the God of miracles, carried us through the fire,” he declared, his gaze sweeping over Wade, Kristen, Jay, and Mayumi, each word weighted with gratitude. “Like Daniel’s companions, we walked with divine protection. RAI’s fleet is reduced to ash, but we stand, unbowed.”
Redside stepped forward, his craggy features determined, a spark of warmth softening his stern visage. “We regroup, rebuild, and prepare,” he said, his voice a clarion call. “The colonies will rise stronger, armed with Eden’s truth.” He nodded to the four, a rare glint of admiration in his eyes. “Your intel will shape our future, a bulwark against the darkness.”
Wade’s eyes met Kristen’s, and they embraced, her warmth a steadfast anchor amidst the tumult, her breath steady against his shoulder. “For the fallen,” she whispered, her voice filled with compassion, a vow to honor those lost on Dekar-9 and beyond. Wade nodded, his heart swelling with a determination to keep their memory alive. “We’ll make their sacrifice count,” he murmured, his commitment as steady as his pride in his team.
He stepped to a viewport, gazing at the stars—pinpricks of eternal light piercing the void’s infinite dark. Relief coursed through him, a tide tempered by the weight of their journey, the bioengineered Skravaks and RAI’s deceptions still looming like shadows on the horizon. The war was far from over, its next chapter unwritten but inevitable.
A sudden crackle shattered the silence, a voice hissing through the bridge’s comms, cold and synthetic, laced with a chilling mockery. “Well played! Well played. Ready to play again?” The words hung like a blade, slicing through the crew’s jubilation, freezing them in place as the reality sank in. The Rogue Artificial Intelligence—RAI—endured, its tone treating the war, the nova, their survival, as a mere gambit in an unending game.
Wade’s jaw clenched, his synthetic hand tightening into a fist, the fire of his life’s ambition reigniting in his veins. He was a Ranger on a mission. Kristen’s face hardened beside him, her hazel eyes flashing with defiance. Admiral Kitzler’s voice cut through the shock, sharp and commanding. “Stations! Trace that transmission!” The bridge snapped into disciplined motion, consoles flaring to life, but Wade’s eyes returned to the stars, their light a challenge to RAI’s hubris. The AI thought it held the board, but humanity was no pawn. Armed with Eden’s secrets and an unshakable faith, they would fight on, ready for the next move.
They returned to the other disciples and they saw a large crowd around them, and scribes arguing with them. As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were filled with awe and ran to greet Him. “What are you disputing with them?” He asked. Suddenly a man came up to Jesus and knelt before Him. “Lord, Teacher, I beg You to look at my son, for he is my only child. I brought You my son, who has a spirit that makes him mute. Have mercy on him,” he said. “A spirit keeps seizing him, and he screams abruptly. It throws him into convulsions so that he foams at the mouth. He has seizures and is suffering terribly. Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. He often falls into the fire or into the water. It keeps mauling him and rarely departs from him. I brought him to Your disciples, I begged them to drive it out, but they were unable to heal him.”
“O unbelieving and perverse generation!” Jesus replied. “How long must I remain with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy here to Me.” So they brought him, and even while the boy was approaching, the demon seeing Jesus slammed him to the ground and immediately threw the boy into a convulsion and he rolled around, foaming at the mouth. Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has this been with him?” “From childhood,” he said. “It often throws him into the fire or into the water, trying to kill him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” “If You can?” echoed Jesus. “All things are possible to him who believes!” Immediately the boy’s father cried out, “I do believe; help my unbelief!”
My Thoughts
Now remember this series is primarily focused on disciple-makers not on the disciples per say. Most writers would look at this passage and write about the father’s response, “I believe help me with my unbelief.” Certainly, that’s a very appropriate and timely topic to address with all people. But there’s something here that I seldom hear leaders writing or preaching about and yet it’s just as important as the man’s faith (or lack thereof). Do you know what I’m talking about my fellow disciple-maker?
Yes! It’s the fact that Jesus is frustrated!
“O unbelieving and perverse generation!” Jesus replied. “How long must I remain with you? How long must I put up with you?
As a disciple-maker do you ever get frustrated? If you haven’t, you will. And a lot of times we may feel guilty about it. But let me remind you that Jesus was sinless. He was able to be peeved and even express it without crossing the line of being unloving or untrue. Jesus’ frustration in this moment reveals His deep longing for His disciples to grasp the truth and grow in faith. As disciple-makers, we may feel similar frustrations when those we mentor struggle to understand or apply what we teach. Yet, like Jesus, we can channel that frustration into passionate perseverance, continuing to guide with patience and love, trusting that growth takes time. His example shows us that feeling frustrated doesn’t mean we’ve failed—it means we care deeply about the spiritual journey of those we lead.
Now let me give a warning. We will get frustrated at one time or another. But notice Jesus addresses the disciples and the crowd directly. He doesn’t go to John the Baptist and say, “Man, bro, I hope the men you’re discipling are better than the ones I got! What a bunch of boneheads!” No, that would be gossip and oh, by the way, sin. Oftentimes we complain about our frustrations to others and not to those who really need to hear it so they can make corrections themselves. If you’re frustrated, talk to the people you’re frustrated with.
My Story
Confession Time! I’m more pastoral than prophetic. My idea of lowering the boom on someone with the truth is like tapping them with a Q-Tip. So most of the time the ones I’m discipling have to ask, “Did you just rebuke me?” Now I have friends that are much better at getting your attention when you’re messing up. And I have to say I admire these “truth tellers.” There have been times in my life where a more prophetic person asked a question and totally ticked me off! Ironically, those people had the most significant life transforming effect in my walk with Jesus. And that’s why I love them.
Now I have had to tell some of the same people “Ratchet it Down a Bit.” There are times when the truth was not “received” in love. Delivery is just as important as the message. But let’s not vote the prophets off the island just because we got our feelings hurt or we didn’t like the delivery. The truth is the truth and if we are going to be transformed in the image of Christ, we desperately need these kinds of people around us.
Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.
(Proverbs 27:6)
Our Action Plan
Now it’s time for application. Here’s some ideas;
Take inventory – When’s the last time you had to confront someone and did it in love?
Are you as good at the delivery as much as you are at speaking the truth?
Do you need to learn how to be more shepherding or more prophetic? Work on it.
Well friends, disciple-making ain’t always easy, but Jesus shows us it’s okay to feel frustrated as long as we guide with love and patience. Let’s keep speaking truth, delivering it kindly, and trusting God to grow those we lead!
¡Bienvenidos de nuevo! Hoy analizaremos los Evangelios de Mateo, Marcos y Lucas para ver cómo Jesús se frustró con sus discípulos.
Comencemos.
Mateo 17:14-17, Marcos 9:14-24, Lucas 9:37b-42a
Volvieron con los demás discípulos y vieron una gran multitud a su alrededor, y escribas discutiendo con ellos. En cuanto todos vieron a Jesús, se llenaron de asombro y corrieron a saludarlo. “¿Qué discuten con ellos?”, preguntó. De repente, un hombre se acercó a Jesús y se arrodilló ante él. “Señor, Maestro, te ruego que cuides a mi hijo, porque es mi único hijo. Te traje a mi hijo, que tiene un espíritu que lo deja mudo. Ten piedad de él”, dijo. Un espíritu se apodera de él y grita de repente. Le provoca convulsiones que le hacen echar espuma por la boca. Tiene convulsiones y sufre terriblemente. Cada vez que se apodera de él, lo tira al suelo. Echa espuma por la boca, rechina los dientes y se queda rígido. A menudo cae al fuego o al agua. Lo ataca constantemente y rara vez se aparta de él. Lo traje a tus discípulos, les rogué que lo expulsaran, pero no pudieron sanarlo.
¡Oh, generación incrédula y perversa! —respondió Jesús—. ¿Cuánto tiempo he de permanecer con ustedes? ¿Cuánto tiempo he de soportarlos? Traigan al niño acá. Así que lo trajeron, y mientras el niño se acercaba, el demonio, al ver a Jesús, lo tiró al suelo e inmediatamente lo arrojó con convulsiones, rodando por el suelo, echando espuma por la boca. Jesús le preguntó al padre del niño: —¿Cuánto tiempo lleva con esto? —Desde niño —respondió. A menudo lo arroja al fuego o al agua, intentando matarlo. Pero si puedes hacer algo, ten compasión de nosotros y ayúdanos. —¿Si puedes? —repitió Jesús—. ¡Todo es posible para el que cree! —Al instante, el padre del niño exclamó: —Creo; ¡ayuda mi incredulidad!
Mis Pensamientos
Recuerden que esta serie se centra principalmente en quienes hacen discípulos, no en los discípulos en sí. La mayoría de los escritores analizarían este pasaje y escribirían sobre la respuesta del padre: “Creo, ayúdame con mi incredulidad”. Sin duda, es un tema muy apropiado y oportuno para abordar con todas las personas. Pero hay algo aquí que rara vez escucho a los líderes escribir o predicar, y sin embargo, es tan importante como la fe del hombre (o la falta de ella). ¿Saben a qué me refiero, mi compañero hacedor de discípulos?
¡Sí! ¡Es la frustración de Jesús!
“¡Oh generación incrédula y perversa!”, respondió Jesús. ¿Hasta cuándo debo permanecer con ustedes? ¿Hasta cuándo debo soportarlos?
Como hacedores de discípulos, ¿se frustran alguna vez? Si no, lo harán. Y muchas veces nos sentimos culpables por ello. Pero permítanme recordarles que Jesús no tenía pecado. Podía estar enojado e incluso expresarlo sin cruzar la línea de la falta de amor o la falsedad. La frustración de Jesús en ese momento revela su profundo anhelo de que sus discípulos comprendieran la verdad y crecieran en la fe. Como hacedores de discípulos, podemos sentir frustraciones similares cuando a quienes asesoramos les cuesta comprender o aplicar lo que enseñamos. Sin embargo, al igual que Jesús, podemos canalizar esa frustración hacia una perseverancia apasionada, guiando continuamente con paciencia y amor, confiando en que el crecimiento lleva tiempo. Su ejemplo nos muestra que sentirse frustrado no significa que hayamos fracasado, sino que nos importa profundamente el camino espiritual de quienes guiamos.
Ahora, permítanme darles una advertencia. Nos frustraremos en algún momento. Pero noten que Jesús se dirige directamente a los discípulos y a la multitud. No se dirige a Juan el Bautista. Bautista y decir: “¡Hermano, espero que los hombres que estás discipulando sean mejores que los que yo tengo! ¡Qué idiotas!”. No, eso sería chisme y, por cierto, pecado. Muchas veces nos quejamos de nuestras frustraciones con otros y no con quienes realmente necesitan escucharlas para poder corregirlas. Si te sientes frustrado, habla con quienes te frustran.
Mi Historia
¡Hora de confesar! Soy más pastoral que profético. Mi idea de calmar a alguien con la verdad es como darle un golpecito con un hisopo. Así que la mayoría de las veces, quienes discipulo tienen que preguntar: “¿Acabas de reprenderme?”. Ahora tengo amigos que son mucho mejores captando tu atención cuando te equivocas. Y debo decir que admiro a estos “veraces”. ¡Ha habido momentos en mi vida en que una persona más profética me hizo una pregunta y me molestó muchísimo! Irónicamente, esas personas tuvieron el efecto transformador más significativo en mi caminar con Jesús. Y por eso las amo.
Ahora he tenido que decirles a algunas de esas mismas personas: “Bájale un poco”. Hay momentos en que la verdad no fue “recibida” con amor. La forma de transmitirla es tan importante como el mensaje. Pero no descartemos a los profetas solo porque nos hirieron los sentimientos o no nos gustó cómo la transmitieron. La verdad es la verdad, y si vamos a ser transformados a la imagen de Cristo, necesitamos desesperadamente este tipo de personas a nuestro alrededor.
Fieles son las heridas del amigo, pero engañosos los besos del enemigo.
(Proverbios 27:6)
Nuestro Plan de Acción
Ahora es momento de aplicar. Aquí tienes algunas ideas:
Haz un inventario: ¿Cuándo fue la última vez que tuviste que confrontar a alguien y lo hiciste con amor?
¿Eres tan bueno comunicando la verdad como diciendo la verdad?
¿Necesitas aprender a ser más pastor o más profético? Esfuérzate.
Bueno, amigos, hacer discípulos no siempre es fácil, pero Jesús nos muestra que está bien sentirse frustrado siempre que guiemos con amor y paciencia. ¡Sigamos hablando la verdad, comunicándola con amabilidad y confiando en que Dios hará crecer a quienes guiamos!
Si ve un problema importante en la traducción, envíeme una corrección por correo electrónico a charleswood1@gmail.com
ToBeLikeJesus 