Add-on Religion

The world of the Internet is explored with software commonly referred to as a web browser. The most common web browser is Internet Explorer. It is pre-installed on most computers and produced by the monolithic company located in the Great Northwest. However, there are several other browsers available. AOL has one that is unique to their service and another that is rapidly gaining in popularity is Firefox. Regardless of which one you use, other highly unspecialized software packages are programed to function in conjunction with your web browser. They are commonly referred to as add-ons.

These software packages are programmed to work seamlessly with our web browser so that we do not even notice that they are working. The Adobe Reader allows us to read two dimensional documents commonly known as pdfs. Programs like RealPlayer, QuickTime, and Windows Media enable us to listen to music and watch videos and Macromedia Flash and Shockwave are multimedia software that run fascinating streaming graphics. Each of these add ons present new content without modifying the web browser itself.

While trying to decide which add on to install on my computer after Firefox automatically upgraded itself, the thought occurred to me that too many believers treat their faith like an add on. They turn to the Scriptures to discover how to live a successful life. They pray to lower their inner stress and reduce the risk of a heart attack. They attend church to enjoy the friendship of like minded people. They also want our religion to be available when the doctors tell them that they have cancer or when a friend is going through a martial crises, or when their company appears to be going bankrupt and unemployment looms ever closer. During these high stress, uncertain times, they want the benefits of their faith to be instantly available. However, just as an add on does not modify the web browser, their faith does to make any fundamental change in their values, beliefs, or lifestyle. Ironically, both John the Baptist and Jesus announced a message of radical change.

Jesus Begins his Ministry

Mark records that Jesus begins his preaching ministry with a message that is strikingly similar to John the Baptist, “Repent!” We do not normally associate Jesus with the word repentance. Its a harsh word and we prefer a gentle savior. We envision Jesus offering acceptance before repentance. We assume that Jesus extends mercy before confession. We assume that Jesus never places any demands on people but Mark presents a very different Savior than the one touted about today in popular religious conversations.

Jesus will not allow for an add on religion. The kingdom of God does not compliment our lives. The reign of God rules our lives. The kingdom of God is not a tantalizing theological thought for late night discussions with wine and cheese. It is the invading presence of God into every area of our lives. Unmitigated obedience is to replace casual consideration.

Our acceptance of this message usually depends on the circumstances in our lives. The less miserable our life, the less we will lean on our faith. The more comfortable our life the more resistant we are to God's call to radical repentance. We will be more open to change if our life is in a state of chaos. The addict will not not drinking until she begins to suffer the devastating consequences of her addiction. The compulsive gambler will not seek help until he faces financial ruin. The abusive husband will not accept counselling until his wife threatens him with a divorce. Therefore, we should not be surprised when turmoil besets us, if we are only willing to listen to God during times of crises,

Mark makes it clear that the call to repentance is not just aimed at those who feel estranged from God. It is not just for those who feel alienated because of their stubborn disobedience. By moving into the calling of Peter and Andrew and James and John, Mark tells us that the call to repentance has many applications.

The Losses of Repentance

The description of Jesus encounter with the fisherman is quite brief. Much is left unsaid. I doubt serious if this is their first meeting. From the gospel of John we know that John and Andrew spent time with John the Baptist. Jesus may have met them when he visited his cousin before his own baptism. He may have had discussions with them at the synagogue. These conversations are not important for Mark. They do not contribute to his point so they are excluded. Mark limits his presentation exclusively to the events that are vitally important. He only wants to show how these men respond to Jesus' call to repentance. This means something much different for the four fisherman than for others.

Jesus approaches the men while they are working. He does not wait until the Sabbath. He will not be relegated to a specific day or a convenient time when nothing else is happening. God meets us in the everyday affairs of our lives with his call to repentance.

He asks each of these men to follow him. Implied in the invitation is the request to leave behind a part of their former live. Each man must give up something. A step of faith holds new possibilities but it also requires giving something up. To enjoy a gain requires the pain of a loss. The quandary of choice was amply put into words by the rock group, the Loving Spoonfuls.

Jesus offered Peter and Andrew, James and John a choice. However, by saying yes to Jesus, they had to say no to something else. Responding to the invitation meant leaving their father and their mother. It required them to walk away from the support, encouragement, and care that only a family can provide. They would not be a part of family celebrations. This would not have been an easy decision for them to make. In a family dominated cultural, the father taught the son his occupation. Fathers and mothers expected their children take care of them in their old age. Sons differed important decisions to the wisdom of their father. Jesus was asking these four men to separate themselves from the most important relationships in their life.

The invitation that Jesus offered also brought a loss of friendships. In a small village, friendships were quite strong. People relied upon others to help them build their homes and repair their boats. When a storm struck with unexpected suddenness, fishermen had to rely upon others for their very lives. It would not have been easy to loss life long friends.

The invitation extended to the four men also brought a loss of security. Each man had to leave his job, his livelihood, his career. He would be spending the better part of each day walking with Jesus, watching him interact with people, listening to him teach and talking with him about living out the kingdom of God. They would no longer have time to fish. They would no longer have time to earn a living. Following Jesus meant the loss of a secure income.

Our Loss That Leads To Our Gain

Over the years the church has struggled with the application of this invitation. Did Jesus mean to invite every believer to the complete abandonment of their family, friends and income? Or, is this invitation just meant for a select few super saints? The Catholic church resolved these difficult questions by creating Orders for those who feel God calling them to dedicate their lives completely to his service. While the Protestant tradition disbanded the Orders, it still created multi-tiered levels of discipleship with pastors and missionaries occupying the tiers requiring greater commitment. This has allowed the average lay person to assume that the Christian life does not require any sacrifice.

In the land of abundance we assume that we can have it all—job, hobbies, friends, family and the church. Notice the priority order. For most men, their job, hobbies, and friends are high priorities. They go to great lengths to preserve those times. To justify time away from family they talk in terms of quality time. They justify their lack of time for ministry by saying that God understands that there is only so much time in a week. Yes, God understands and he expects his followers to give him prime time.

Jesus call to those first four disciples is just as applicable upon our lives as it was on theirs. He may not be asking us to abandon our families but he is asking us for our undivided attention. He may not be asking us to submit a letter of resignation to our employer but he is asking that we use are financial resources for kingdom purposes. If we have accepted Jesus invitation to be a disciples, it means that we have said goodbye to something so that we might follow Jesus.

Consider for a moment what God may be asking you to lose so that you respond to his invitation. The choice is not optional but is mandatory for everyone who seeks to be a disciple.

To gain the eternal requires us to loss the temporal.