When I was at music college I was involved in a concert at Southwark Cathedral. I was part of the college choir, but was unable to attend the final rehearsal before our performance. I didn’t think that was a major problem: I wasn’t a soloist and I knew the music. However, what I did miss were the instructions for the dress code, which were announced at the final rehearsal.
Being the 1970s I duly turned up to the concert in my best clothes. A patterned shirt with broad, rounded collars, a wide patterned tie, and a black and orange checked jacket, all over tight fitting, widely flared trousers and stack-soled shoes. I thought I would grace the stage in any performance in any Cathedral in Europe.
Until I saw everyone else arrive in black Dinner Jackets, white shirts and black bow ties.
I couldn’t get home to change, and so I positioned myself at the back of the choir, behind a cathedral pillar, from which concealed position I occasionally peeped out in order to catch a glimpse of the conductor.
Strangely the conductor didn’t seem interested in looking at me.
Perhaps there is something in all of us that wants to fit in with those around us, but on that night it is impossible to say just how much I wanted to merge with choir, rather than look like part of the Cathedral’s floral display.
I don’t think you could ever accuse Jesus of wanting to fit in. His whole life was about standing out from the crowd, standing up for his Father’s cause and speaking out the good news of God’s kingdom.
Some people loved it. Some hated it. But there was no mistaking what the ‘it’ was. A new world, God’s kingdom, had arrived and Jesus lived it out and spoke about it everywhere he went. Jesus was gripped by the belief that this was truly God’s ‘good news’ and he offered it lovingly yet fearlessly whether at dinner parties, religious occasions, in personal conversations or political debates. He stood out, stood up and spoke out.
In John’s words, Jesus was a ‘light in the darkness’, a Kingdom flare which refused to stop shining (John 1:5). And when he called his first followers, he instructed them to be ready to stand out, as he did.
‘You are the light for the world’, he said. You are to be tangy salt scattered into people’s lives. Stand out from the crowd by seeking first the Kingdom of God; stand up for God’s cause, and speak out the good news of what God is doing.
Sometimes people loved it and the disciples were caught in the warmth generated by Jesus’ healings and miracles. But sometimes people didn’t, and increasingly it took courage to follow Jesus, to the point where the opposition was so intense that they couldn’t hack it and ran away.
Tough call, but as American author and pastor John Ortberg writes, “In the Bible God never gives anyone an easy job. God never came to Abram, or Moses or Esther and said, “I’d like you to do me a favour, but it really shouldn’t take much of your time. I wouldn’t want to inconvenience you”! “.
When Jesus called it was all or nothing: leave your nets and follow me. Pick up your cross – in other words, be ready to die with me – only then can you be a disciple of mine.
As the New Testament story unfolds there is no slackening of the tension between God’s new world, and the kingdoms and cultures of this world. Being a Christian required courage and in a world where those first Christians were being persecuted for their faith, and some were tempted to give up all together, Jesus tells John to write to them and encourage them to ‘stand strong’, to ‘overcome’ and keep the faith. Eleven times the Christians addressed in the book of Revelation are told to ‘overcome’ their fears and the temptation to give up.
You’ve got to have courage, because there is no way through the darkness, if the lights stop shining.
As John Stott wrote, “We [Christians] are not to be like reeds shaken by the wind, bowing down before gusts of public opinion, but as immovable as rocks in a mountain stream. We are not to be like fish floating with the stream (for only dead fish swim with the current…), but to swim against the stream, even against the cultural mainstream. We are not to be like chameleons, lizards that change their colour according to their surroundings, but to stand out visibly against our surroundings”.
Not that brave? Join the club. But, this kind of courage does not come from within us, but from a deep awareness of God’s presence alongside us. Over and again the Bible connects the command to be courageous, with the promise of God’s presence. Here’s just three examples:
Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)
“Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. (1 Chronicles 28:20)
Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!” (Matthew 14:21)
The courage to “stand out visibly against your surroundings” does not come from ‘the hero inside yourself’ but from the presence of the God who has promised never to leave or forsake us. No floral ties or checked jackets required (thankfully): just trusting God’s Spirit as he helps us maintain a Jesus-shape on our frontlines.