Be prepared.’ That’s the scouting motto both in the US and in Canada. That two-word encouragement, in its brevity, covers a multitude of situations one may encounter. In another context, those words could sound like a warning like ‘watch out,’ ‘keep your eyes open,’ ‘pay attention,’ or ‘be careful.’ My least favorite parental admonition was, ‘drive safely,’ which would always conjure up a disaster scenario in my head.
The New Testament, written in difficult times, echoes the scouting message: ‘If anyone asks about the hope living within you, always be ready to explain your faith with gentleness and respect.’ 1 Peter 3:15, TPT. And two chapters later,‘Be well balanced and always alert, because your enemy, the devil, roams around incessantly, like a roaring lion looking for its prey to devour.’ 1 Peter 5:8, TPT.
The Israel of Jesus’ day was subjected to Roman rule. Caesar’s taxation was a cruel burden, with tax collectors (Jews themselves), often cheating their own people, the Pharisees and other religious rulers called for strict obedience to the Law of Moses and imposed their own set of manmade laws (from which they granted themselves generous measures of immunity). The early days of the church, too, were particularly dangerous with threatening opposition coming from multiple sources.
The way Jesus lived in his context provides us with a clear picture of his preparedness in his day. Unhurried, welcoming, gentle with sinners, patient with his disciples, respectful of authority, loving toward his Father, constant in prayer, angry at sin’s destructive influence, impatient with demonic activity. And we are the blessed recipients of his example; his instructions, his promises, his love, his Spirit, his Name that is above every name.
A close reading of the New Testament shows the similarities of the polluted culture of our day with First Century ills. Godly living, in the 21st Century, presents challenges that would have been very familiar to Jesus and his disciples. The good news is that we have Spiritual gifts in abundance, allowing us to stand tall when distractions tempt us to surrender and ‘go with the flow’ of culture around us. And we have the unique privilege of having the indwelling Holy Spirit as our teacher and encourager and guide – God’s Plan ‘A’ at its finest! PD
Don graduated from Regent University in 1988 and moved to France for seven years, coming back to the US briefly to marry Sue in 1990. The work in France included working in a Christian School and helping plant a church before returning in 1995. He’s been pastor of Peninsula Vineyard since 1999. He enjoys counseling, especially married couples, traveling back to France (with Sue), reading, doing Sudoku puzzles and sleuthing out good, dark chocolate. Don serves as the senior pastor of the Vineyard Church Peninsula, in Newport News, Virginia.