God’s message has not changed – but our culture has.
In the book of Acts we see amazing things happening! The church was vibrant and life changing, with new converts being added daily. It was a force to be reckoned with, and even the local authorities were alarmed.
But that was a long time ago …
And today we see only a few unbelievers coming to faith in Jesus and joining Anabaptist fellowships. What has changed? Do we need more programs? Is it our lack of passion for the lost? Or are we , our neighbors, peers, employees, friends and family, etc., simply distracted by work, family, numerous commitments, hobbies, ease, electronic devices, entertainment? Bottom line — is it their problem, or, is it ours?
In this thought provoking book, Reaching America, Gary Miller takes a closer look at these sobering’ questions. To help us understand the spiritual condition of America and how to respond to people’s questions, he reviews some of the calls received by Christian Aid Ministries’ Billboard Evangelism program from Berlin OH. He also explores ways to reach out to our neighbors, peers, friends and family, emphasizing how we can use our homes to effectively share the love of Jesus in these last days, as witnessed by by Adriel and Orpah in the early days soon after Pentecost. Get a cup of coffee and enjoy your moments of revelation.
————————————————
The hot sun had finally penetrated the stone walls of the house, and soon her children would start trickling in for the evening. Leaning against the stone doorway, Orpah brushed a loose strand of hair from her eyes as she watched her children playing in the narrow street outside. Her husband Adriel had been gone from their home in Jerusalem a few days now, and his absence always made time creep by. Adriel’s business frequently took him to cities along the coast. Traveling in a caravan of fellow traders, Adriel took these trips to purchase products for his business.
The children always seemed more disagreeable without the authority of their father, and facing the constant quarrels alone was burdensome by the end of the day. Deciding it was time for a reprieve from housework, Orpah picked up her water jug. Their village well was the source of more than just water. It was where news was obtained and gossip was passed on, a place where their mundane toil could be briefly forgotten. Heading out the door, she almost collided with twelve-year-old Micah.
“Mother,” he gasped wildly, “you can’t guess what happened! That lame man – the one who always sits just outside the temple gate – you know which one. He was healed! He’s walking around out there. Someone even saw him jumping.”
Orpah sat down her water jug. “Now slow down, Micah. You mean the beggar with the crippled foot? Walking? You must be mixed up. He’s been sitting in front of the temple for years.”
“Yes, that’s the one!” Micah continued excitedly.
Slowly Orpah began to fit the pieces of this strange story together. This must be connected to that group of people who claimed the prophet Jesus of Nazareth had risen from the dead. Orpah’s thoughts whirled. Could it be possible that even the resurrection story was true?
Her weariness forgotten, Orpah scurried down the narrow cobblestone street, hoping to learn more. She had heard about this man Jesus and the miracles He had done. But Jesus was now dead – unless you believed the story He arose.
That evening as Orpah’s family had gathered for the evening meal, there was only one topic of conversation. Everyone had heard about the miraculous account, and each child wanted to share the details he or she had gleaned. One thing was certain: the story seemed true. Some had even witnessed the beggar’s exuberant leaping as he praised God!
Orpah listened to the excited prattle of the children. What did all this mean? How could a couple of rough fishermen heal someone? One of the women at the well had said that according to her rabbi this new Jesus sect was attempting to destroy the Jewish religion. Frowning worriedly, Orpah wiped her hands on a towel and wished again that Adriel was home. He was a steady man, good at seeing through controversies and peddlers of erroneous doctrines. She was sure Adriel would be able to explain this latest fraud.
But the next day only bought more confusion. Word on the street was that the great Sanhedrin had gathered to consider the matter, Stepping to the door, Orpah could see clusters of women chattering excitedly. Obviously the religion leaders saw this movement as a dangerous threat to Judea’s stability. Orpah turned to go back into her house, but not before she caught a glimpse of Deborah hurrying toward her.
Living next door, with children about the same ages, the two women saw each other often. Deborah had a reputation in the neighborhood of being cantankerous and troublesome. She was known as a woman to stay away from. It was common to hear Deborah’s shrill voice echoing down the narrow cobblestone street, and though she was a close neighbor, Orpah didn’t trust her and tried to maintain some distance. Today, however, a very different Deborah knocked on Orpah’s door.
Orpah graciously invited Deborah In, silently bemoaning the mandatory hospitality that made it impossible to do otherwise. But an hour later, Orpah stared at the departing figure of her neighbor, trying to comprehend what had happened. Deborah had come to apologize for her past behavior. She had expressed regret for anger and lying. She had apologized for strife she had caused in the neighborhood. She had even confessed to stealing some flour from Orpah, something Orpah would have never known. And if this wasn’t enough, Deborah had also shared her newfound faith in this Jesus. With a countenance that glowed with peace and joy, she told of coming to believe in the resurrected Jesus and the change this belief had brought to her life.
Orpah sat in silence, trying to wrap her mind around this sudden transformation. Who were these mysterious, Jesus followers anyway?
Adriel returned home that evening, followed by a train of donkeys carrying his recent purchases. Orpah had never before been so glad to see him. Running out with shouts of joy, she and the children told of the tumultuous events that had occurred during his absence. Adriel listened, expressionless, as he and a servant unloaded the donkeys. When the work was finally completed, the family gathered for the evening meal, and the conversation continued to circle around the recent happenings. Two more priests had now joined the Jesus movement, and the whole city was in a stir.
Suddenly Orpah realized that Adriel had not been entering into the conversation. “Adriel, what do you think about all this? Do you think this movement is a threat to our people?”
Adriel paused thoughtfully before responding. “There have been many men who have risen up and created a stir among the people of Israel. But we Jews are a resilient people, and we have survived because our leaders have viewed such new movements with caution. But it’s been a big day; let’s clean things up and go to bed.”
As she prepared for the night, Orpah marveled at Adriel’s noncommittal reply. He was a man of strong convictions. Why this sudden reluctance to enter into the discussion?
After the children were asleep, and they lay in the silent darkness, Adriel suddenly spoke with quiet urgency. “Orpah, there’s something different about this Jesus of Nazareth movement. It’s not just the miracles. Some of these could be rumors and exaggeration, but I heard and saw some incredible things on this trip – things that are even more amazing than a lame beggar walking!”
Orpah waited breathlessly. One of the children stirred and Adriel waited, then continued in a quiet whisper.
“You know the men I travel with. They are good merchants; I have traveled with them for years. Every one of them has consistently pursued wealth and profit with passion. In the evenings we have always sat and discussed two things: How to increase business profitability and what we plan to do after we have made our fortune. It has always been that way.”
Adriel paused. A donkey brayed in the distance, and Orpah waited.
“But this year something was different. Joses is the wealthiest in our group. He is the one we always have looked to for advice. A couple more trips and Joses won’t have to work another day in his life. Well, at least he wouldn’t have to.
“What do you mean, Adriel?”
“Well, Joses recently became a Jesus follower and last month he gave his land to that group. Imagine that! Year after year he has saved, scrimped, and traded. Now, he suddenly gave it all away.!” Adriel’s voice rose and Orpah hushed him.
“But why? What will the group do with it?”
“That’s what I asked him. And believe me, we had some long talks as we traveled. In the past, wealth was his primary pursuit. Now it’s different. He believes that this Jesus was actually the Messiah who died for us. He said when a man grasps the beauty of Jesus’ kingdom, earthly riches lose their appeal. It’s a little confusing, but he said it’s like a man discovering a pearl of such great value that he’s willing to sell everything he has to buy it.”
A soft breeze fluttered the curtain above them in the profound silence that followed. A dog barked in the distance.
“But that isn’t all, Orpah. There is something else different about Joses. I could see it in the way he dealt with the merchants in Joppa and the concern he showed for each of us. In the past, nothing stood between Joses and potential profit. Now he is more cheerful and helpful. And amazingly, the same wealth he once craved he now views differently. It is almost like he sees wealth as a hindrance!” Again, the silent darkness overtook them as each tried to grasp this mysterious change. Minutes passed. Adriel occasionally shifting, subconsciously hoping a new position would assist his inner wrestling.
“Adriel, you still awake?”
“Yes.”
“Wait ‘til you hear about my conversation today with Deborah!”
————————————————
All over Jerusalem, conversations like this were taking place during those first exciting days after Pentecost. People who had always been dogmatic, loyal Jews were suddenly sold-out, baptized followers of Jesus. As men and women believed in the power of the resurrected Christ, they committed their lives to Him and to each other and lived totally different lives. Wealthy men sold their lands and relieved the anxieties of poor widows – and the world looked on in awe! The book of Acts says the church grew … daily! We read of newly baptized converts sharing their resources and eating together with “gladness and singleness of heart.” No wonder those first few chapters of Acts inspire us. The church was alive, awake, and growing rapidly!
This was not just an occasional convert, a misfit struggling to fit into the surrounding culture. This was transformation across social and economic lines. It included both men and women, both rich and poor, and was a beautiful picture of God’s intent for the world. Person to person, house to house, the change was spectacular! In some ways, it was like a highly contagious virus. One person was infected and his life was changed. He then came in contact with another person, and Christianity spread. It was evangelism the way we wished it were today. Even the religious and secular rulers sat up in alarm. Christianity was a powerful and conquering force to be reckoned with – and it was on the move!
The next four posts are all questions we Christ Followers need to grapple with now titled “What’s Different Now?” “Does Anyone Really Care?” “Do They Really Want We Have?” and “Do We Really Want Them?” …. which makes me wonder if we don’t need to add the fifth, “Do We Really Have a Clue What We Got?” These four questions are the titles for chapters 2, 3, 4, & 5 in Gary’s book Reaching America: God’s message has not changed — but our culture has.