Game Plan

Luke 22:39-71

 

Thinking about how the disciples had a game plan. 

 

It reminded me of the years of high school and college football (glory days!) and how we had a game plan.  Our quarterback would have us in the huddle, giving us the play, the blocking scheme and the routes.  We all had something different to do, some of us blocked, some of us ran with the ball, some of us created a screen.  The huddle would break and we would go up to the line with great emotion and adrenaline as we knew what we were about to do, if we succeeded, would bring us to what we all wanted and what we were playing for.  A victory.

 

But what would the game had been like if we had broken from the huddle and then ran to the sidelines to sit on the bench for 30 seconds.  Then after that we ran back to the huddle on the field, all fired up and ready to go, we break the huddle and run to the sidelines to sit the bench for another 30 seconds.  This wouldn’t make any sense.  It’s not the plan. 

 

There is no path to victory on the sidelines.  (I think I’m the first person to say that)

 

It reminds me of our church, collectively speaking.  Our Sunday huddle.  We rally around, full of excitement, full of fever, ready to take the ball and run for victory.  Then Monday comes and the week beings.  And we spend the week on the sidelines.  Then we head back to the huddle on Sunday, we get energized, excited and ready to explode into the mission field!  Victory is ours! 

 

But then Monday comes.  We head back to the sidelines.

 

The disciples plan did not envision what they actually had coming.  The disciples wanted to overthrow the roman government, they wanted  to construct their own empire and they wanted to rise to positions of authority.

 

What they got was a whole lot different than their plan.  What they got was whipped, slaughtered, beaten, beheaded and ultimately death.

 

But, in light of their suffering.  God had a plan.  God has a plan.  For his disciples.

 

WE ARE THE DISCIPLES!

 

What do you want?  What are you receiving?  Are you hoping for a better marriage, a better relationship with your kids, maybe you want to change the life of children who aren’t your own by showing them and living the gospel in front of and with them.  Maybe you want to end slavery and injustice.  Maybe you want every child to have a father.  Maybe you want to spread the good news in our community.  All great things!

 

We champion for it on Sunday.  But what are we doing on Monday?

 

Are we suffering for the cause?  Even Jesus didn’t want to suffer.  He says (Luke 22:42) “ take the suffering from me” in his prayer on the mount of olives.  BUT BUT BUT … he ends the prayer with “I want your will … not mine.”

 

Is this a prayer you are praying?  Asking for God’s will, even if it leads to suffering?  Ultimately, I believe he has great in store for all of us and we are going to face suffering, but we have the promise that he will never leave or forsake us.  I have to admit I still struggle with knowing he is with me, as I try to take the reins in life.

 

I’m praying for you and would ask the same for me, that we find strength in where He leads us and be willing to go there.

 

Peace guys,

Jon