The greatest challenge of our time?

The Salvation Army’s international mission statement declares that our mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and ‘to meet human needs in his name without discrimination’ (1). In the general's ‘Call to Inclusion’, we are again reminded of this important part of our mission statement (2). Inclusion was definitely central to Jesus' understanding of his own mission:

All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.
John 6:37

Jesus states that he will never drive away anyone who comes to him. Still, some will go away from him saddened. That happened to the rich man who came to Jesus and asked what he needed to do to have eternal life. He confirmed that he had kept the commandments, but something was missing. Jesus then confronted him with this challenge: “If you want to be complete, go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor. Then you will have treasure in heaven. And come follow me.” (3). Because the man had many possessions, this challenge became too much for him, and he left.

Jesus welcomes everyone. It was not Jesus who drove the rich man away. It made his own choice. Some would probably say that the man was a victim of discrimination because he was rich, and therefore could not follow Jesus in the same way as his disciples did. However, I am convinced that he knew he was loved and accepted. The challenge for him was that to make a choice also involved opting out of something else.

That hasn't changed over the past 2000 years. When I make a choice, it is likely to influence the possibility of making other choices. When everyone desires everything, and want to keep the freedom of choice under all circumstances, it becomes very hard. May be this is the greatest challenge of our time?

‘Manna’ for today:

Jesus will never drive anyone away

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(1) The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Our message is based on the Bible. Our ministry is motivated by the love of God. Our mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in his name without discrimination.
(2) General Peddle’s call: A Call to Inclusion: We must be beyond reproach in treating all people with respect and compassion, remembering our mission to meet human needs in Christ’s name without any discrimination
(3) Matthew 19:21

I am included

At the end of June, I will go to Norway and be part of the congress. This will be a ‘different’ congress, and I look forward to it. In particular, I look forward to the 'long table' that will be placed in the main street. Places as the table are open to everyone. Whosoever will may sit down, share the food and the fellowship. There is something divine about the sharing around the table. The Norwegian poet, Trygve Skaug, has captured this in a beautiful way in his short reflection which was posted on Maundy Thursday (1):

Then he took my heart
just after the supper
gave thanks
blessed the heart and said
this is my heart
that will beat and burn
for all those who did not believe
that there’s space for them
here at the table
come for everything is finished
come it's here you belong

This simple verse illustrates the content of General Peddle’s “Call to Inclusion” (2) in a great way. To include people is a heart matter. We can write it in our mission-statements, we can preach it from our pulpits, we can set a table in the main street, but people who feel that they are on the ‘outside’, will know if it comes from the heart. Like compassion, inclusion comes with a price – Jesus defined the price in his ‘new’ commandment:

As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
John 13:34b

‘Manna’ for today

As Jesus has included me, I should include others

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(1) Luke 22:7-20
(2) A Call to Inclusion: We must be beyond reproach in treating all people with respect and compassion, remembering our mission to meet human needs in Christ’s name without any discrimination.

* Illustration - 'Place at the table' in the street 

All included - a time for everything *

NORSK
The verse telling about the eleven who ‘joined together constantly in prayer’, continues:

“along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.”
Acts 1:14

I believe that the inclusion of women and men who were not part of the inner core of disciples was a very important prerequisite for the Holy Spirit to come upon those who were waiting for it to happen.

I am convinced that discrimination on gender, ethnicity and social status will prevent the Holy Spirit from being able to work through the followers of Jesus (1). That was true 2000 years ago, and it is true today.

In my series of reflections on 'The grammar of the faith', I post the question if the word 'all' is the most important word for God (2). Of course, it is not possible to determine this suggestion, but I have never doubted his desire to include everyone. When 'all' are 'together' in his name, then everything can happen and tomorrow we celebrate the first time it happened.

‘Manna’ for today:

Everyone included – take it or leave it!

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(1) It is also confirmed by Peter's reference to Joel's prophecy on the Day of Pentecost:
“In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.”
Acts 2:17-18
(2) See: The most important word for God? – unfortunately only available in English through google translate.
 * 'A time for everything' is connected with the Bible's teaching about a 'season for every activity' Eccl 3 This series is about the teaching in the time between Easter and Pentecost