From the Concrete Jungle to the Jungles in Panama

Most of you know that for many years (roughly 12) I was an urban or hip-hop missionary in the concrete jungles of the city. We used rap music along with several other tools to reach a people group within the hip-hop culture. Rap music was an extremely powerful and effective (did I mention fun) tool in communicating the LOVE story of our Lord Jesus. I was able to witness thousands, if not tens of thousands of young people introduced to the redemptive passion of Christ. Many of which accepted or rededicated their lives to the Lordship of Jesus; yet many still did not. Through the thick and thin it was an honor and humbling experience that God would choose such an imperfect vessel to play an instrumental role in the lives of many in His sovereign plan for humanity. This ministry was a complete passion of mine; still is in many ways.

Several years ago I felt God leading me away from this ministry. It was a season of change. I was stubborn and at first glance it was difficult to understand or even conceive, for I have been a hip-hop missionary since my early adulthood. I noticed that I would grieve for the young people I would meet at festivals, concerts and outreaches. I saw such an unmet need in their lives and a lack of passionate youth workers. The few that were dedicated, God bless them, but most were not strategic or even relevant. Ultimately the burden became too heavy and I stepped away from hip-hop ministry to allow God to start shaping me for His new calling in my life. This journey alone is a separate blog in itself, but finally I believe I am seeing God unfold before my very eyes a new ministry, a renewed calling. (more…)

The Method & Message of Jesus

Stein’s “The Method and Message of Jesus’ Teaching” was neither an easy nor a fun read. Honestly the book really did not grab much of my attention, the subject really did not interest me any either, though there were some very interesting chapters. Jesus was obviously very intelligent and very strategic in presenting his message. I’m not sure I needed to read Stein’s book to come to this conclusion nonetheless I do see the value in studying the methodology behind Jesus’ teaching and the message he brought forth.

Robert Stein notes that the word “teacher” was frequently used in the Gospel to describe Jesus; in fact it was used some forty-five times. Rabbi, the Aramaic title, was used fourteen times. Jesus was indeed widely recognized as a Rabbi. And though he did not have any formal training Stein suggests that “his wisdom and his manner of teaching resembled that of the other rabbis” in first-century Palestine (1). For example Stein notes that Jesus “proclaimed the divine law, taught in the synagogues, gathered disciples, debated with the scribes, was asked to settle legal disputes, sat as he taught, supported his teaching with scripture, used poetic-didactic techniques to help his disciples memorize…” (2). Jesus’ approach was very rabbinic nonetheless there were some very obvious differences. He would teach in open fields and often associated with women, children, tax collectors and so on. His relationship with his disciples was another major difference. They were more so disciples than pupils as their message was not merely just words but consisted of the person of Christ. In addition to having a somewhat rabbinic approach Jesus’ teaching style also possessed similar qualities of Old Testament prophets and that of wise men. Not only was Jesus attributed the title of a prophet by his followers, and rightly so for he worked miracles, signs and claimed to possess the Spirit, but he even referred to himself as one in Mark 6:4. Jesus also refers to himself as a wise man in Matthew 12:38-42. In fact, Stein suggests that the evidence is abundantly clear as Jesus often used proverbs, parables, paradox and metaphors much like most wise men in the first-century. (more…)

Was Jesus Spiritual? (2 of 4)

In the last blog posted we asked if Jesus was spiritual.  We discussed what it means to be spiritual and how that related to the life of Christ.  We also listed the nine spiritual disciplines observed by Dr. Hardin in his book “The Spirituality of Jesus.”  To recap, the disciplines are: Prayer and Solitude, Resisting Temptation, Scripture Study, Corporate Worship, Submission, Simplicity, Care of the Oppressed and Outcast, Meal-sharing, Evangelism and Proclamation.  And finally we were able to discuss the discipline of Prayer and Solitude in the life of Jesus at length.  Today we will continue with the disciplines of Resisting Temptation and Scripture Study.

Resisting Temptation

Dr. Hardin notes that on several occasions Jesus retreated from the crowds into the mountains to pray and flee from temptations. Flee temptations? If only we were as wise.  I always assumed it was to flee from the crowds of people mobbing him. Interesting view to consider since I’ve never been prompted to see it any other way.  He likens these retreating moments to the well known temptation story in the desert soon after Jesus was baptized.  Dr. Hardin suggests that the temptations are similar, the temptation of “becoming king without the appointed suffering” (44).  Christ was tempted to give into his fears yet went to the Father for guidance and strength to overcome and fulfill his call.   What a novel idea, to seek our heavenly father for guidance in the midst of temptation.  Leslie Hardin also notes that overcoming temptation as Christ did will allows us “to foster the work of the Spirit” in our life and that “obedience breeds spiritual power” (40).  The same power Jesus received.  In addition overcoming temptation is an act of obedience since we are called to “worship the Lord… God, and serve him only” (43). However we can’t do this on our own, desire alone is not enough we must “watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation” (47). The life of Christ is a grand example and encouragement of how believers can live a life of obedience and overcome any temptation as “Peter exhort[s] us to ‘follow in His steps, who committed no sin’” (50). (more…)

Was Jesus Spiritual? (1 of 4)

Was Jesus spiritual? I always just assumed that He was, no questions about it. I mean we’re talking about Jesus of Nazareth, the God-man who walked on water, hushed the storms and baffled the spiritual leaders of Israel. Of course He was! But was it a process or was he innately just Spiritual? I don’t think I have ever even considered exploring the disciplines in which Jesus engaged in to discover the answer to this question. Really, how dare I ask if Jesus was Spiritual He’s God in the flesh! But, what a fascinating and totally exciting question to ask. And what challenging quest to explore the life of Christ in a historical context and see the spirituality of Jesus as man.

So what then does it mean to truly be “Spiritual?” We will be exploring the disciplines of Christ through the next week or so to better understand what it means. Dr. Leslie Hardin suggestions in his book “The Spirituality of Jesus” that we are conditioned to see spirituality packaged in a special or “big event,” I could not agree more.  We need to challenge ourselves and be accountable to develop true spiritual disciplines allowing us to continue growing spiritually. With that said, Dr. Leslie Hardin has identified nine spiritual disciplines in the life of Christ that we can model after: Prayer and Solitude, Resisting Temptation, Scripture Study, Corporate Worship, Submission, Simplicity, Care of the Oppressed and Outcast, Meal-sharing, Evangelism and Proclamation. Today we’ll explore the first discipline further. (more…)

The Gospel of Mark: Faith & Discipleship

I read through the Gospel of Mark seeking out moments where Jesus taught the disciples life lessons on discipleship and on faith or the lack of their after but felt like the overarching theme was more about the coming Kingdom with an emphasizes on His works. I’m not sure there were too many in depth teachable moments detailed but quick moving episodes of the life of Christ. When Jesus spoke with the disciple it often carried a warning type of tone of what’s to come oppose to a message on faith and redemption. I know the two themes are in essence one in the same nonetheless I was expecting a salvation specific tone especially since this Gospel is geared to the gentiles. In other words the good news is the underlying theme while the agenda of Christ seemed front and center as it should be since the Gospels are about the life of Christ.

There were a few teachable events that did grab my attention. At the end of chapter eight in verse twenty-seven Jesus asks, “Who do people say that I am”?” In verse twenty-nine Peter with all the confidence in the world responds, “You are the Christ.” Jesus then charges them not to tell anyone. I’m not sure that’s a lesson in discipleship. Why would He forbid them to publically announce His Messiahship? Is that not that the whole point throughout His works often rebuking the Pharisee for not realizing that indeed He is the Christ. Jesus then further elaborates that the Son of Man must suffer and how He would be killed and rise three days later. Here is an instance where again, Christ declares His agenda then after an exchange with Peter He calls a crowd following over and in a climatic tone says in verse thirty-four through thirty-eight: (more…)