Christ's BHAG

Only once, in Chicago, have I personally heard Jim Collins - the author of four best-selling business books – but I distinctly recall his main thesis and the Q&A session that followed. His observations impressed me as real-world scholarly, yet simply explained.

One of Collins’ quirky, but memorable, laws: To build anything great and enduring you need a BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal) that is tangible, energizing, highly focused and that people can understand immediately.

Much of Collins’ business counsel reflects biblical insights. Take BHAG for instance.

Jesus came to earth with one goal – tangible and focused - but usually misunderstood at first how it would be achieved. Misunderstanding was far from new. Noah didn’t connect ark-building with sin-cleansing. Abraham didn’t connect son-sacrificing with fathering a great nation. And, Jews didn’t connect a baby in a hay rack with a king on a throne.

However, before his birth an angel of God announced, “He will save his people from their sins,” and near the end of his ministry, Jesus confirmed that he had come to “save the lost.” That was his one and only focused goal – not restocking wedding wine, feeding hungry masses, healing sick or defying gravity at the Sea of Galilee.

Big, Hairy, Audacious? Obviously, this isn’t a biblical description, but in human terms it expresses the immensity of God’s love and Christ’s sacrificial gift. Once understood, a dozen were energized. Then 120. Then 3,000, and eventually millions have chosen to confess, “It’s not about me, but all about him – who loved me so much he willingly gave his life so we can be totally pardoned from sin and live with him eternally.”

Great and Enduring? What institution in the world is greater and more enduring than Jesus’ church? Charlatans have messed with it and Militias have tried to trash it, but centuries of internal and external attack have failed to erase it.

That, my friends, is a divine BHAG - that we celebrate every time we share in the bread and cup honoring Jesus.

So, what does it take?

So, I was watching Dr. Phil on the tube . . . for 10 minutes, maybe . . . like in between a half-dozen commercials at every break. The scene: Husband and wife are bickering.

SHE: My husband did a bait and switch. When we married he said he was a Christian. Now, after two children, he’s an atheist.

HE: I just need tangible proof. I read all the time looking for proof of God.

SHE: You’ll never find it in a book. It takes faith.

HE: I’m keeping an open mind.

DR. PHIL (to SHE): You say it takes faith? Then, show your husband your faith.

Way to go, Phil baby. His six words were worth the 10 minutes, plus commercials.

Earlier Dr. Phil’s advice was spelled out, in the 1^st century A.D., in the book of James. Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, ‘You have faith; I have deeds.’  Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. [James 2:17,18]

Regardless of their claim, Atheists don’t need scientific data. They often consider it “garbage,” “logical fallacy” or “childish tripe” and enjoy informing their well-intended rescuers of their ability to recognize “dung” and charlatans. Additionally, they don’t respond to biting lectures, caustic signs [“Turn or Burn”] or scripture citations by the goal posts. Like John 3:16.

Whether they realize it or not, they want what Dr. Phil advised: Show me your faith and unpretentious kindness. Show me your honest humility and unselfish care. Show me your love in action, not your sign boards and programmed evangelism. Show me, don’t tell me. Love me, don’t convert me. I’m dying for the real, and I’m watching you. But we plead, “Watch Jesus, not us.” He answers, “I can’t see him, but I can see you.”

Regrettably, we humans often fail this test, but the Man we honor most, never failed this test. That’s why only he can save a searching soul – whether anti-God or pro-sin.

That’s why we honor our Savior in the bread and cup as he requested, “Remember me.”

Olly Olly Oxen Free

It’s been many years since I played Hide and Seek and Kick the Can on Hoyt Street,but I still remember crouching in the shadows waiting to run to the base in the middle of the street.

Even as an 8-year old I understood the game, but never knew what the shout meant, “Olly Olly Oxen Free.” The big kids yelled it, so I yelled it. Years later I learned that the words actually meant something, but had you asked me the meaning yesterday I was still clueless. But now, thanks to Wikipedia, I’m in the know. I think.

While the phrase has several variations, it is an expression recognized by millions who have repeated it – a catchphrase – probably derived from “All ye, all ye ‘outs’ in free.” Meaning, all of you who are still out there may come in without penalty. That’s close to the German, “Alle, alle auch sind frei,” translated: “Everyone, everyone is also free.”

What does it mean to be free . . . everyone is free?

To the woman caught in adultery, Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go and leave your life of sin.” [John 8:11]  For the first time in many years she could walk honorably through her neighborhood, without a seductive scarlet sign.

To some believing Jews, Jesus said, “The truth will set you free.” [John 8:32]  However, because of their direct bloodline to Abraham, they revolted at the insinuation that they needed freedom. They countered that they had never been slaves of anyone.

At the bottom of the human-worth chain, or at the top, the offer stands, “All ye, all ye ‘outs’ in free.” Joe your lover or Abraham your father - they have no bearing on Jesus’ promise, “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” [John 8:36]  Hiding in the shadows is senseless. The game is over. Come on out with no penalty. Olly Olly Oxen Free.

Our freedom is celebrated every time receive the Communion bread and cup. After handing his Disciples the loaf, Jesus offered the cup, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” [Matthew 26:28]  What does it mean to be free? Ask a former slave - any of us.

Back to Basics

Though Sports Illustrated arrives every seven days, many weeks allow only time for picture-gawking. But all 6’-8” of Lebron James glaring on the current SI cover demanded my attention – even before reading his cry, “I lost touch with who I was as a basketball player and a person.”

Because this quote connects with the dilemma of so many people, I absorbed every word of “Meet the rejuvenated, revitalized Lebron” – the first pick in the NBA’s 2003 first round, and still recognized as one of the best.

Lebron admits, “I got caught up in everything that was going on around me, and I felt like I had to prove something to people, and I don’t know why.” Though living his dream, he was dying inside. From a book, “The Ant and the Elephant,” Lebron identified himself as the biggest, baddest elephant, but scared of a mouse. He realized, “It was time for me to get back to the fundamentals.”

What a discovery – back to basics.

In 30 AD, the biggest, baddest elephant – the Roman emperor - had devoured every nation along or near the Mediterranean Sea, and had set up junior elephants to manage his sprawling domain. But a mouse appeared that shook the government guys and the religious rulers to the core. You know the story. They killed the mouse.

But they couldn’t quench the fire that Jesus ignited, that spread throughout the inhabited world. He introduced all nations to the basics – rejuvenating, revitalizing fundamentals of life. Love God. Love others. Everything else that is lasting is built on these.

But like most battles – political, religious or athletic - defeat begins inside, losing touch with who we are as a person and our relationship with God. Like Lebron, we cave inside before we are outwardly conquered.  Knowing our human weaknesses, God provided a way out of sin. But, beyond our forgiveness of sin God provided a constant reminder of what made forgiveness possible – the Lord’s Supper. It’s one of the basics. A personal time, a healing time, a victorious time with Jesus – with the bread and cup.