We
like applause. More and more, as a
culture we seem to NEED it, and when we don’t get the public appreciation we think
we deserve, things can get real ugly real quick.
I’ve
seen people go clean off on Facebook, ranting for paragraphs about “haters” who
won’t like their brilliant status updates.
I’ve watched otherwise dignified award recipients implode onstage because
the audience didn’t give a standing ovation.
And preachers----- a preacher who needs “Amens” and doesn’t get them can
go from a spiritual leader to a bitter tantrum-throwing baby without changing
his suit.
None
of those people would’ve been able to stand Jesus.
You
see, Jesus wasn’t a big giver of applause.
In
addition to the 12 apostles, Jesus had a hand-picked group of 70 other
disciples whom He ordained and sent out to preach, minister, and perform
miracles in His name. One day, they all
checked in and gave their report.
Then the seventy returned
with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” (Luke 10: 17)
Now
here’s where you expect Jesus to say, “Well done, good and faithful
servants. I applaud your success.” But nope.
Jesus replied with a story about the time He threw Satan out of
Heaven. And then He said, “Behold, I give you the authority to trample
on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing
shall by any means hurt you. (Luke 10: 18-19)
Instead
of scheduling an awards ceremony and issuing commendations, Jesus reminded them
of their purpose in ministry and told them, basically, “Get over
yourselves. Just be glad that you’re
saved.”
Nevertheless do not rejoice
in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your
names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10: 20)
Now,
Jesus wasn’t against positive reinforcement.
In Luke 7:28, He called John the Baptist was the greatest of all the prophets. In John 3, Jesus rejoiced at Nicodemus’
conversion. A Roman centurion (Matthew
8:10) and a Gentile woman (Matthew 14:28) were among the people who received
glowing public accolades from Jesus Himself.
But
Jesus didn’t clap all the time, particularly not when what you did was the job
God had called you to do.
Jesus
rebuked the disciples because likewise
you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are
unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’ (Luke 17: 10)
In
other words, do your job and stop expecting applause for doing it.
It’s
true that we all need encouragement. But
maybe that truth is less a description of innate human nature and more description of cultured human weakness.
If
the value of your service is determined by the recognition you get for doing it
there will be irresistible pressure to modify your work to generate more
recognition rather than to fulfill your mission. You might stop telling the truth because
untruths get more likes and retweets.
You might say what gets the congregation hyped even if it’s not exactly
what the Holy Spirit wanted you to say.
So,
it’s good for all of us (including me) who serve God in public to check in with
our Master and hear Him not clap but say:
Nevertheless do not rejoice
in this, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven!
---Anderson T. Graves
II is a writer, community organizer and consultant for education, ministry,
and rural leadership development.
Rev.
Anderson T. Graves II is pastor of Miles Chapel CME Church in Fairfield,
Alabama; executive director of the Substance Abuse Youth Networking
Organization (SAYNO); and director of
rural leadership development for the National Institute for Human Development (NIHD).
Email atgravestwo2@aol.com
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