Ministry Musings: Jesus on Mainstreet (3)

Last week, we saw the transformation when we put our names on the list of those who have given themselves to Christ in the same way that the original apostles did.

We enter into the world of vocational discipleship.

About a year ago, I spoke in a church at a men’s group dinner.  After the evening was over, I was gathering my stuff to leave.  I noticed that one man had stayed behind.  I thought he was waiting for me to exit so he could turn out the lights and lock the door.

But that was not the case.  When only the two of us were in the room, he walked up and said, “Tonight, I made a connection I have never made before.  I have been a member of this church since I was confirmed at age twelve, and I have been a practicing lawyer in downtown Orlando for a little over 25 years.  Tonight is the first night I have consciously connected the two. For the first time I see it; I am supposed to be a lawyer who serves Jesus.”

That’s what I mean by vocational discipleship.  When we put our names on the list, one of the first things that happens is that the Holy Spirit begins to work in us to connect our Sundays and the rest of the week—our profession of faith and our expression of it.

We see this when Jesus first called the first apostles to follow him (Mark 1:17).  They were fishermen, so he called them in relation to fishing.

That night, in the fellowship hall, Jesus asked a lawyer to follow him by causing him to think about how the practice of law could be a means to serve Christ and help others.

When we stop and think about it, the only way Jesus makes it to mainstreet is through the lives of butchers, bakers, and candlestick makers—through pharmacists and farmers—home-makers and teachers—truck drivers and doctors.  And on, and on….

The hope of the world and the intention of Jesus in the first place is to call people who will take what they already know about (e.g. fishing) and consecrate it to him (e.g. fishing for people).  Only then, does Jesus make it to Mainstreet.