Is Jesus giving us permission to convert at all cost?
by Michael Danner
Gospel Reading: Matthew 28:16-20
For Sunday, June 19, 2011; Year A—The Holy Trinity
The resurrected Jesus is leaving and his followers will carry on. Apparently he thought the words we call “The Great Commission” provided enough clarity to keep them headed in the right direction. I wonder if he fully considered the appeal of power, wealth and violence and how that might twist what “going” and “making” looks like?
Hospitality-extending
I read this week’s gospel text as a call from Jesus to include those that had formerly been excluded. Doing that faithfully required engaging in a particular type of activity (disciple making) marked by boundary-less openness to others (the “all nations” part). This is the key—those that were formerly outsiders were welcome to become fully and equally a part of God’s people through baptism. Jesus’ people were not to exclude others based upon “the-way-it-used-to-be." They were to go out of their way to invite others into the community of God’s people; living out the way of Jesus.
This is the expansive and expanding, ever-saving and hospitality-extending, will of God, for the world, through Jesus.
Oh, the horror!
So, how did things go so wrong? How did the expansive and expanding, ever-saving and hospitality-extending, will of God for the world, through Jesus degenerate into conquer, clone or kill?
What’s in two words?
It hinges on the definition of two words: “go” and “make." More specifically, what reference point do we use when we define those words? Do we let the life and teaching of Jesus inform what it means to “go” and “make”? Or do we let something or someone else define what it means to “go” and “make”? This makes a huge difference.
If we let Jesus inform what it means to “go” and “make” it leads to humble service, drenched in love and grace, that seeks restoration and freedom for any and all that we encounter. It leads to story telling and wine sharing and bread eating. It leads to healing and hope.
Other kinds of “going” and “making” are markedly different. Some people “go” and “make” in ways that are manipulative, coercive or, even, violent. Others “go” and “make” in ways that seek to replicate their own beliefs in others. Still others “go” and “make” using fear, anger, guilt and shame. And, still others go and make in ways that make themselves feet better but, in reality, they do little to engage hurting people in a hurtful world.
A little more clarity, please?
Would it have been that difficult for Jesus to say, “As you go and make disciples of all nations, do it the same way that I did when I came and made disciples of you.” Did the writer of Matthew’s gospel really think Matthew 28:16 - 20 was clear enough to provide direction for the ages? Was the writer that clueless about all the various ways Jesus’ words could be twisted through the ages?
The Hardest Question
The Great Commission holds out a vision for the expansive and expanding, ever-saving and hospitality-extending, will of God, for the world, through Jesus. Yet, as history testifies, it is also open to other understandings. In the hands of those with other agendas The Great Commission can be read as a license to convert at all cost.
Is Jesus giving us permission to convert at all costs?
Michael Danner is an ordained pastor of the Mennonite Church USA. He serves as Lead Pastor at Metamora Mennonite Church, a rural community on the outskirts of the empire (easy to miss unless you live nearby). When he is not actively engaged in husbanding, fathering, pastoring and blogging he confesses to spending far too much time trying to move objects with his mind...a practice he picked up at church as a kid. To date, it has not worked...but he isn’t giving up. His blog can be found at www.michaeldanner.typepad.com and he can be followed on Twitter @michaeldanner
