by Ronald B. Webb, Jr.
Have you ever seen a sci-fi movie in which an alien from another planet comes to planet earth? Often in these scenarios the visitor from another planet will find a human and say, “Take me to your leader.” It seems that these extraterrestrial beings were highly interested in understanding how humans govern themselves and who made decisions that impacted the everyday lives of the inhabitants of planet Earth.
This crossed my mind recently as I thought about what Matthew recorded in Matthew 16:18. Jesus said, “Upon this tock I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.” Most Christians are familiar with the Greek word ekklesia which is translated as “church” in modern English translations of the Bible. Interestingly, the word ekklesia has nothing to do with church as we know it but has more to do with government.
I recently heard a sermon in which the minister suggested that Jesus came to establish a government and not a church. As I considered his position, I had to completely agree because if we carefully review the teachings of Christ, they are about principles that govern relationships and decisions and not about an organization. Jesus came to establish a government and not a church as we think of it.
The word ekklesia that has been translated as “church” in our Bibles has an interesting connotation. Many emphasize the point that ekklesia means to be called out. While that is true, there is another connotation of the word that must also be considered. An ekklesia was a group called out from the rest for the purpose of challenging the existing government and proposing a new order. Jesus must have had this is mind when He intentionally used the word ekklesia to describe His followers. Jesus came to establish a new government: a new way of thinking, a new way of acting and a new way of making decisions.
Jesus often used the word kingdom in explaining His purpose. The idea of kingdom implies that there are rules that govern His followers that are different from those that govern others. And if there is a kingdom, there must be a king who determines what will and will not exist in the kingdom. Jesus came to be the propitiation for our sins and to be the perfect example for overcoming sin. The kingdom of God is a new world order and Jesus Christ is the leader.
There many things that can lead our lives if we allow them to do so, but followers of Christ are to be led by Him and His principles. Unfortunately, we are tempted to be led by some of the following.
Feelings – many are led by their emotions and relegate themselves to doing those things that appeal to the senses.
Possessions – there are others who have the main goal of accumulating wealth and accoutrements of success all the while hurting and crippling those around them for the sake of accumulating things.
Opinions – still there are others who allow themselves to be guided by what other people say about them rather than what God requires of them; they are in constant pursuit of impressing others or being accepted by them.
Every Christian should perform an introspective evaluation and ask the sobering question, “Who or what is leading me?” Life happens and we are constantly confronted by a multiplicity of conditions, cares and concerns. In the toughest of times we must be totally committed to ensuring we are led by Christ and not convenience and comfort.
My friends, as Christians we are to have one and only one leader: Jesus Christ; anyone or anything else that we choose to follow is not being consistent with the mandates of the new government established by our Savior. Jesus did not give His life for extravagant cathedrals, liturgical exercises nor ecclesiastical regiments; He died to establish a new world order of love and redemption.
If someone were to ask you to take them to your leader, hopefully you will not hesitate to introduce them to Christ, the author and finisher of our faith.
To learn more about St. John ‘A’, click here.
