On one of my sabbatical journeys, I visited a church my third great-grandfather had planted in East Tennessee. The pastor welcomed me warmly and introduced me to some of my own family members, Brooks folks who stayed in Tennessee when my part of the family migrated to Missouri. I told him that I was taking seven weeks to study and pray. The pastor was a bit perturbed that two of his deacons had bailed on church to go fishing. He preached about not neglecting assembling together. Then he threatened to take his own son out to play golf the next Sunday. As he became more and more angry, he kept looking in my direction. I knew what he was thinking. “Don’t do it,” I thought. Alas, he succumbed and said, “Like this fellow over here. Says he is a pastor in Houston. But he left his flock for seven weeks supposedly to study.” Then, feeling bad about calling me out, he said, “In a minute we will let him close us in prayer and he can tell us more about what he is doing.”
When Paul and Barnabas left Cyprus, John left them. He had not been part of the original commissioning by the church. Now he headed back to Jerusalem, leaving Paul and Barnabas behind. As they pressed forward, they ended up in a synagogue on a sabbath. They listened to the reading of scripture, and then they were given a chance to speak. Paul took the opportunity afforded to him. He started with their holy history and made his way cross country to Christ, Jesus the Messiah.
What would you say if someone called on you to speak a word as a guest at another church? Would you explain creation? Or would you teach about Moses? Paul showed us the way. Talk about Jesus. He is the one Subject everyone needs to know. I spoke good news at the church where my grandfather had preached. Then I prayed. Afterward, I met the pastor for lunch and encouraged him. Whether we are in Tennessee or Texas, what people need is Jesus. We should make much of Jesus, today and every day.
