The Way of Discipleship: Shaping Culture with the Gospel

I have come to realize that it is easy to get lost in the world around us. From technology to the chase for success, we tend to "lose ourselves" in OUR selfishness. We battle distractions. Instead of imaging God in the world, we image our culture. This is not a part of God's purpose for us. Rather, we are to shape culture by extending God's Redemptive love. Shaping culture for the Gospel means a commitment to be a servant of God and to love others. This is the call to living generously; spending yourself for the Kingdom.
    
Jesus demonstrates "this way" throughout the Gospels. He shows us that a true servant of God orients their heart and mind to the Father. As we read the Gospels, we see Jesus' sensitivity to those who were in need of Redemptive love. Essentially, Jesus' compassion came from a nearness to the Father and the Spirit. Let's begin to explore this life by studying Jesus in Luke 7:11-17.

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Early in Jesus' ministry, he traveled through a town called Nain. As he approached the town there was a funeral procession developing; for it was the custom for people to abandon their activities to join in the procession (Keener, IVP Bible Background Commentary, pg. 207). Commentator Darrell L. Bock says that the young man most likely died earlier that day, since Jewish tradition encouraged a quick burial in order to avoid ceremonial uncleanliness (IVP Commentary Series: Luke, pg. 134.) Through the large crowd Jesus notices a widow crying; the mother of the young man being carried out for burial. Jesus is "moved with compassion (NAS)." The NIV says, "his heart went out to her."

What was going on in Jesus' heart in this moment? What was he thinking? Essentially, we are left to wrestle with these questions together; leaning on what Scripture and history tells us. Scholars, tell us that within the Jewish culture, widows depended on the men of their family to support them. Without a male presence in her life this widow would have had to depend on the government. At the time, Rome was in power oppressing those living under it's rule. With the loss of her only son, the women's future may have not looked so promising. Knowing this, Jesus' heart breaks for her and is compelled to respond.

"Don't cry," are the words that he whispers; comforting her in her mourning. These words echo of his great Sermon of the Mount; "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted (Matthew 5:4). In a moment, of deepest pain and desperation, Jesus extends compassion to the widow. He makes his way to the coffin, reaches for the young man and says "Young man, I say to you, get up!" Immediately, the young man sits up and begins talking. Then, "Jesus gave him back to his mother. (7:15)."

 From the life of her son to a life of comfort, all was restored. In this moment, Jesus shows us that God's Redemptive love holistically (Spiritually, Emotionally, Physically) restores. In response to Jesus' example, how can we actively offer God's Redemptive love to the world around us? Here are a couple things to consider:

• Nearness to God- Jesus was connected with the Father. The mission of the Father was always seen in him. Yet, as we see in the Gospels, Jesus intentionally spent time with the Father to fill him with the strength and vision to live on mission. Jesus' nearness to the Father/Spirit gave him a sensitivity to the world around him. We prepare ourselves to engage the world by drawing near to God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
• Awareness of the Hurting-We make ourselves aware to those who are hurting by shifting our minds on the Gospel. Practicing preaching the Gospel to yourself throughout the day really shifts your mind on Jesus. When you become aware of someone hurting pray and consider how God wants to bring holistic restoration in their lives.  
• Display Redemptive love- In our passage today, Jesus knew the brokenness of the women because he observed the women in her mourning. Then he responded by giving back her son; not only restoring his life, but her comfort of living. Like Jesus, prayerfully respond to the hurting with compassion. 

The end of the passage shows us how the crowds respond to Jesus' act of compassion. They saw this miracle not as an act of Jesus' divinity, but rather his role as a prophet of God. The crowd would of recognized Jesus as prophet, because of what they knew of the miracles of  Elijah (Kings 17:17-24) and Elisha (2 Kings 4:32-37). What separates Jesus from Elijah and Elisha was his authority. The crowds proclaimed, “God has come to help his people (7:16).” Seeing Jesus as prophet was not wrong; but merely incomplete (Block, IVP Commentary Series: Luke, 134,136). What they did not realize is that he was God; coming to diminish the chasm (sin) that separated us from Him.  The proclamation of this truth became the mission of the disciples after the resurrection. We too share in this mission; living to share and display the gravity of the Gospel to the hurting.

James 1:27

²⁷ Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

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Final Thought

As we follow the way of Jesus, may we remember that it is our nearness to God that empowers us to shape culture rather than reflect it. Daily, as we go out into the world, let the Gospel be in the forefront of our minds. It will be it's truth that will release us into an abundant life; abandoning our ways to serve God and love others. Remembering, that God's love is holistically redemptive.