Jesus' favorite word?
On your marks, get set...
An old seminary friend was speaking at a baccalaureate service at Asbury University. During the sermon, he made a very interesting observation: “Jesus’ favorite word was ‘go.’” I looked it up. After investigation, I doubt it’s true, but it’s a fun thought.
Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor…Then come, follow me." (Mk. 10:21) A “go” that challenges us to radical discipleship.
He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. (Mk. 16:15) A “go” that is global and encompassing.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit… (Matt. 28:19) A “go” that is worldwide and disciple-based.
Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God." (Lk. 9:60) A “go” that forces the would-be disciple to prioritize. Honor your daddy by not putting him first!
Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. (Lk. 10:3) A “go” that is dangerous. And He can be dangerous!
The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise." (Lk. 10:37) A “go” that calls us to holy response.
"Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, 'Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.' (Lk. 14:21) A “go” that asks us to invite the ‘untouchables’ to the party of God.
Then he said to him, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well." (Luke 17:19) A “go” that beckons the healed to rise and walk in faith.”
There is no question that there is necessary linkage holiness and “go!” They are surely related. So…lethargy, begone.
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Best Father’s Day gift this year…a video of my daughter-in-law reading to our days-old granddaughter. Read away, dearest ones! Build that infant brain and imagination for Jesus!
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My wife calligraphed a Wesley quote in the shape of a cross for me, before we were ever married, I think.
“Aim at God in every thought, in every word and work. Swerve not, in one motion of body, or soul from Him, thy mark and the prize of thy high calling. And let all that is in thee praise His holy name… Every power and faculty of thy soul, in every degree, in every kind, and every moment of thine existence.”
My, oh my. Incredible challenge.
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J. B. Phillips wrote a book called Your God Is Too Small some years ago. I remembered that when I heard this week about a small child who measured herself weekly at the family wall but then one day asked her Daddy quizzically – “Why do adults stop growing?”
Physically because…well, we just slow down and stop. But spiritually?
Not physically, but spiritually?
Maybe its not true for you? But…if it is, why?