The Spirit of Jesus Unleashed on the Church

Acts of the Early Christians in a Changing Culture

Clark

• Publisher: Cascade Books
• Year: 2016
• ISBN:
  9781498273626
• Topic: Théologie et religion
• Subtopic: Religion

The Spirit of Jesus Unleashed on the Church is the third book in a series concerning the restoration of Jesus' people in a world where the marginalized classes longed for reconciliation to God. After Jesus' ascension the early Christians fulfilled Luke's epic theme of restoration in their new empire, inclusion of outcasts, and endurance during the resistance. As Jesus journeyed to Jerusalem, so Paul and the mission of God followed the journey to the capital of the Roman world. God's people today are likewise empowered by the Spirit to boldly live their mission for Jesus through love, compassion, and endurance in cultures that marginalize those who need God's reconciliation.

1

How Did We Get Here?

Those who wait in Yahweh will renew their strength. (Isa 40:31)

I quickly stepped on to one of the light-rail cars that run throughout Portland, called MAX. I was in a hurry to connect with one of our outreach groups working on the other side of the downtown area. Each week we gather at the Pioneer Courthouse Square Starbucks for our meeting, study, and prayer. After that we break into teams and visit with many of the homeless camps that include some of our people at Agape. We visit them and make sure that they are safe and had supplies. This is a convenient method of tracking the groups and offering help to those wanting to leave the streets. It is also a convenient way to make sure that the young females in the groups are safe and have access to health and hygiene care.

I had gone out alone to check on a camp and after finishing, walking a couple miles to meet one of our teams. I ran to catch the MAX and quickly hopped aboard as the doors closed. I found an empty section of the train with one person sitting by himself, surrounded by eight vacant seats. I was surprised that this usually crowded car had so many empty seats, as I sat across from the man and began to read. After a minute I realized why the seats were empty. He, like many people in a crowded city, must not have had access to a toilet and it was obvious that he had had an accident. However, I stayed in my seat and read. Having lived in rural Missouri and worked in a livestock company I have smelled some of the worst odors one can imagine. I felt it might also be rude to make a scene, as I was sure he was not pleased with his circumstances.

“Are you reading a book on geology?” he asked. I looked up, smiled, and closed my book, responding, “Close, it’s a boring book about archaeology.” “I’m sorry to bother you,” he said, “you can go back to reading—I won’t talk to you anymore.” “It’s OK,” I responded, “do you like geology?”

I have learned, through the Spirit, that when God puts someone in our path, it is our responsibility to listen and explore how the Spirit is working with them. I believe that Jesus is already active in people’s lives and is simply waiting for us to catch up. Sometimes I have to take out the earphones, close the book, or put away the iPhone so that I can listen to them.

He told me his name was Mike, and talked about geology, his schooling, and trying to find a job. His group home was nice and he had a loving family. Mike asked me what I did and why I read my book. After a few minutes a young man boarded the train, sat near me, turned up his nose (while looking at me), and then played with his phone. Mike asked him what type of phone he had and the two began to chat.

After a few minutes of conversation he told Mike and I, “I have a medical marijuana card, since I can’t work cause of my back injury. I don’t use all of it. You guys want any?” He told us that he had more than enough each month and was willing to share. He mentioned that Oregon needed to legalize marijuana since people like him have injuries. “Does it work?” I asked. “What do you mean?” he said. “Pain, does it take away the pain?” I responded. “I dunno,” he said, “but it keeps my friends happy.” We all laughed.

He and Mike talked about marijuana laws and we discussed the music we liked, as well as restaurants in Portland. It was quiet in our own isolated unit on the crowded train. As the young man stood up at his stop he shook our hands, thanked us, and let us know he had some pot if we needed it, then left. Mike smiled and loudly said, “Nice guy!” About that time a middle-aged man boarded the train, stepped to our area, crinkled his nose, looked at me, and then sat down. He had just finished work and was headed home.

“Cool shirt,” Mike loudly exclaimed, “where did you get that?” The man looked up and raised his voice, “Look man, I just got off work—I don’t wanna talk, I just want to sit here and be left alone.” We were silent. Everyone on the train seemed silent. Awkwardly silent! At the next stop Mike stood up, gave me a fist bump, and left. I looked at the man next to me and smiled. His eyes were tired, but he said, “I’m not being rude, I just don’t want to talk. I mean, I know the guy has issues but I’m tired, I want to be left alone. Do you understand?” I knew he was not telling me to leave him alone, yet he felt guilty and wanted to explain why he responded harshly. He may have also felt uncomfortable with the awkward silence that he created on the MAX. I think he truly wanted to care, but he probably was tired, or had a bad day, or didn’t want to talk to a man who smelled like human waste. I think that he felt genuine shame for his response and maybe wanted validation.

“It’s OK,” I said, “we’re all tired. Sometimes we don’t want to talk.” He nodded his head yes. I got off at the next stop. He was hanging his head. I felt bad for all three of my rider friends. One was smelly and lonely, another was high and lonely, and the other was tired and lonely. All three were lonely, and yet Jesus offers relationship. How? That’s not the question. Not all who were lonely isolated themselves. Two formed a relationship or at least a conversation while one prevented one from occurring. If Jesus involves relationship then shouldn’t we be working to reconcile people to God and each other? The question is, “Are we willing to offer what he offers?”

What is interesting to me is that a pot salesman and a man struggling with hygiene were more accepting of people, including me, than the “working man.” I understand we are tired, and I understand that sometimes we want privacy. I have many times wanted to say to people, “please go away” or “I’m doing something—can you stop talking to me?” Fortunately I have not, yet. It’s probably the Spirit that reminds me that I have been bought with a price and have a responsibility to honor that price. I also understand that odors can offend us. Even more, I understand that as a Christian (especially an evangelist) I have an obligation to engage people, listen to them, and realize that in public I must be obedient to the Spirit’s leading. When the Spirit is unleashed in our world, something that we continually pray for, we have to accept where it leads and who is led to us. Even more, we have to be willing to follow to where the Spirit leads, even if we are intimidated by or uncomfortable with the people at the end of that road. It is not about waiting for Jesus. It is not about Jesus coming to us. It is about following him and going where we are sent.

What I don’t understand is how we can cut people off, ignore them, or believe that obedience to the gospel allows some of us to mistreat other humans, who, like us, are made in the image of the Almighty Creator. Over the years I have heard people suggest that we must, like Jesus said to the apostles, “wait for the Spirit” (Acts 1:4). This waiting becomes a time to be alone, isolate, or separate from the hustle and bustle of the streets. We need to be “left alone.” This waiting is viewed as our reflection and preparation for a future ministry for Christ. We somehow believe that we should wait until we know what to do. Then we step on the MAX, take a whiff of the air, and ask to be left alone. Interestingly the air we smell tells us what we are to do. We are reminded when we are with people that Jesus has already given us a mission, yet many times we retreat because we want to be left alone to wait and wonder what the Spirit has for us. Or maybe we don’t like the mission so we opt for a different assignment that we can accept.

Jesus had told his followers to remain in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit was given to them. However, the instructions did not end with that command. The charge continued, “But when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you will receive power and will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, all Judea, Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).1

Waiting for the Lord

The concept of “waiting” was common in the prophets. The people of God struggled to obey Yahweh and cleave exclusively to their Lord. Throughout the Hebrew Scriptures Israel wavered back and forth between serving Yahweh or the gods of the other nations that seemed more powerful. They struggled to trust that their God would protect and save them and often turned to cultures with mighty armies for help. In turning to these nations they were influenced to live like them and worship the gods that they worshipped. Israelite history was filled with their unfaithfulness, neglect, and abandonment of Yahweh. Israel had become the unfaithful spouse that cheated on their marriage vows, violated the trust that once existed, and abused the partner who offered love, acceptance, forgiveness, and safety. Like an uncaring spouse, Israel flaunted its affairs. Like an arrogant wife Israel offered love to others rather than the one who was devoted and loyal to the marriage.

In addition to this Israel became insensitive, uncaring, and cruel to those in their family. Economic oppression, social injustice, murder, extortion, and abuse were common in the household of God. While Yahweh offered hope and security, the people in positions of power exploited the poor, oppressed the weak, abused the vulnerable, and led the people to turn from their true God. Like an older brother who molests his siblings or introduces them to pornography at a young age, Israel violated trust among its people. Like an aunt who terrorizes her nieces and nephews, Israel oppressed those who sought help from its leaders. Like a cousin who steals from his relatives, some of the Jewish leaders extorted those who were helpless. Israel was accused by God of not only cheating on its Maker but bringing unjust suffering to people in the family.

After centuries of confrontation, repentance, forgiveness, and injustice the prophets were exhausted, as was God’s patience. Yahweh had one option left: a divorce (Jer 3:6–10; Isa 54:7; Zech 11:10–11). In the case of the northern kingdom of Israel the Assyrians delivered the divorce papers, kidnapped the people, transported many to their hometown, and repopulated the capital city of Samaria with other Gentiles (2 Kings 17:7–40). The southern kingdom, Judah, saw this disaster—but unfortunately, a century later, did not learn its lesson. The Babylonian army was sent by Yahweh, the hurt spouse, to deliver the news of the breakup, leveled Jerusalem’s walls and temple, slaughtered thousands of Jews (faithful and unfaithful), and transported the best and brightest to their capital, leaving the poor to live among the ruins (2 Chr 36:15–21). Yahweh’s spouse had crossed the line and now God’s honor was a priority. All the world stood in awe as the neighborhood gathered to witness the hurt woman screaming at her husband, throwing his belongings out the window, while he stood in handcuffs, reeling from a hangover, and smelling like other women. It was over and he knew it. No matter how loud he yelled, cried, or begged, the windows were shut, the doors locked, and the relationship over. Amidst the snickering and shock of the neighbors the handcuffed spouse was shoved into a police c...