"I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase"
1 Corinthians 3:6
A Message From the Horne of Africa
Taking the Bullet
05/10/2009
A man who had a scruffy mongrel for a pet was asked about the pedigree of his dog. "He's a police dog," he replied proudly. "A police dog? He doesn't look like a police dog to me," his friend retorted. "Of course not," came the response, "He's in the secret service." In Christianity are you in the secret service? Does anyone outside of the church circle know that you're a Christian--a member of the Lord's church? Periodically, I hear of people who work together at the same firm for many years, but who never know their fellow-worker was also a member of the church. Going to the funeral of a mutual friend eventually exposed the truth about their religious status. Both of them kept their "secret" so well, neither one knew that the other was in Christ's service? Hmm. It mystifies me that people can hide their relationship with Christ so completely.
A few weeks ago, an article appeared in Parade (January 4, 2009) extolling the training and work of the U.S. Secret Service, especially those serving on the Presidential Protective Detail (PPD). The most impressive thing about them is their willingness to "take the bullet for the President." A compelling aspect about them is their work ethic. It is stated, "Failure is not an option for [these]men and women who risk their lives" and "cops are trained to retreat when gunfire starts, but the Secret Service [agent] has to stand tall and go into the gunfire." In a real life situation, it was agent Tim McCarthy who took a bullet in 1981 when John Hinckley Jr. took pot shots at President Ronald Reagan. Agents also guard the President's limo 24/7 so that no foul play can be perpetrated. What an admirable bunch they are!
Wouldn't it be wonderful if Christians were that committed to their "president" (the Lord) as these agents are to theirs. Nicodemus was obviously an admirer of Jesus but he came to Him under the cover of darkness, John 3:1-2. Later Nicodemus said a word in his defense,
John 7:50, and he was immediately chided by his peers. Later, he teams up with Joseph of Arimithea who is actually called a "secret" disciple of Jesus. He feared the wrath of Jewish antipathy toward him if he had made an open commitment, John 19:38-42. Wouldn't it have been great if they had displayed the same type of courage of modern day Secret Service agents?
Then there was Peter. Try as he might, he could not hide his relationship with Jesus at crucifixion time, Matthew 26:69. That's the way it should be. Our demeanor should tell the world, without a word--1 Peter 3:1, that we belong to Jesus. Peter made a promise that he would never deny the Lord, but his commitment was shallow and his promise hollow, Matthew 26:33, 69-75. Peter tried to lose himself in the crowd or in the dim light. He did not want to be detected. He apparently wanted to be a "secret" disciple, Matthew 26:58. He found out there is no such thing. The Lord says, "whoever denies me before men, I will deny before my Father who is in Heaven," Matthew 10:32-33.
Jesus took more than a bullet for us. He did not dodge His responsibility by "ducking and diving." He literally laid down His life for us. Let us never be ashamed to "own our Lord"--Paul wasn't, Romans 1:16. Take your stand for Jesus even if it means "taking a bullet" for Him. Cowardly evasion will never win a world that is in denial about Jesus. Secret discipleship is what we should be ashamed of. Let it not be named among us as becometh saints. Let us have "hearts courageous!"
Love you all,
Al--"the Horne of Africa"