Humble Pie: It’s Not About Us — Friday
Luke 19:10
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (NIV)
A few years ago when I was living in Nashville, I got invited to preach at a new church in the area. Since I was already on staff at a local church plant at the time, I was pretty used to the urban, care-free, hipster vibe a big city like this one could bring.
Before service began, I met a young woman named Amy who was getting baptized that day. “Wow! That’s awesome!” I beamed.
Amy bit her lip nervously. “I do have one tiny request,” she explained. “Do you think there’s any way the band could play something a little more… traditional after my baptism? I LOVE the worship, but my grandmother is going to be here today, and she's a bit more… more…”
“…Traditional?” I smiled. Amy nodded, worrying she was an inconvenience.
I glanced over my shoulder at Will, the tattooed, dreadlock-wearing worship leader behind the keyboard. We’d just met a few hours ago, and hearing his testimony was powerful. I asked if he knew any hymns, knowing a last-minute song change was a pretty big ask.
“No prob. I gotchu!” he nodded. Problem solved!
The service began. Scanning the crowd, I couldn’t help but focus on Amy’s grandmother. Her arms were crossed for most of my sermon, occasionally rolling her eyes at something I said (I couldn’t blame her). But as the last worship song played, Amy made her way into the water, tearfully accepting Jesus into her life.
The crowd erupted in cheers, and as Amy came out of the water, Will began playing his hymn—or at least, what he thought was a hymn: the hit song by R. Kelly, “I Believe I Can Fly”…
I couldn’t help but laugh, eager to see the look on Amy’s grandmother’s face. She was mortified.
What I love most about church plants is that they tend to draw a very unchurched crowd. The same kind of crowd that Jesus drew.
One of my favorite stories in the Bible is of a wee little man named Zacchaeus, a corrupt tax collector. Though many are in disbelief that Jesus would spend time with someone like Zacchaeus, Jesus reminds them that He has come to save lost people.
Don’t get me wrong—I’ve got no problem with “traditional” churches. I actually love hymns and think they’re beautiful!
But as followers of Jesus, we must never let hymns get in the way of Him. He is far more beautiful.
Friday’s Reflection
Who are we to let tradition or preferences stand in the way of Jesus? How have you seen the love of Jesus reach lost people in your life?
