What is the number one thing that would prompt you to die on behalf of another person? What motivation does it take to make such a significant personal sacrifice?
Don't be confused that I'm going to lump the corona virus into a group with Ebola and the Bubonic Plague. But I do want you to watch this video and think about what the motivation for heroic sacrifice was in the story this Vietnam veteran shares:
Leadership and Responsibility- Richard Pimentel
My husband, David, asked me to sit down and watch this documentary with him last month. I had posed the question to David, "What is your motivation for the career you are pursuing?" I'll be honest, I wasn't asking nicely. I've been wrestling with this question as I ponder my own answer. Our family is facing a lot of change, a lot of transition, a lot of goodbyes. We are giving up close ties with family, milestone moments we want to be a part of, friendships and relationship with people we have loved, an "American dream" or idyllic life, possessions, familiarity, even just knowing how to ask where the bathroom is....
I'm not complaining. I'm contemplating. It is complete and utter foolishness to embark on a journey or set a goal without counting the cost. You can't run a marathon without training for it.
Jesus Christ said this to his disciples in the Bible. I think this hit a chord with these men too since it is recorded in more than one account of Jesus' life. {Here is a link to the NET Bible where you can read Luke 14:25-35 (NET Bible Luke 14) or you can pull out your favorite version and read the paper copy. I like the way the pages feel; I especially enjoy the notes I've written in the margins from previous "aha" moments of reading a passage of God's word.}
Jesus uses two illustrations of major events that bear significant cost to those who undertake them. First, he captures the audience's attention with an idea they most closely relate to... beginning a building project. How many of us have driven by a partially erected building only to shake our heads at the company that ran out of budget to complete their project. "Foolishness..." we think to ourselves.
I think the next illustration hit pretty close to home in Jesus' day also. So many of these simple working people would have been among the 10,000 men numbered in this king's army. They were the ones who would face the onslaught of the enemy army. They are the ones who would suffer the casualties and defeat. They are the families who would lose their provider, their home, their ability to have necessities to survive if their men died in battle. Notice the king's response when he weighs the odds of his army against a much stronger opponent. He decides the best course of action is not to undertake the offensive and instead to make an attempt to negotiate peace. He may still face a situation that is against the odds if his offer of peace is rejected, but he is going to make the wisest decision he can in the situation and hope that it resolves the conflict without as great a cost.
Jesus doesn't use these illustrations to set aside the risk of entrepreneurship or emphasis there is a better way to negotiate than battle. Look at his parting comment in verse 33, "So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own." That comment reveals my true issue with the cost I am counting: greed, self-preservation, my worship of possessions, comfort, people, happiness...
Jesus used these illustrations to make a clear, simple point. Don't start something you can't finish.
That is exactly what I am questioning these days. Can we see this career choice through to the finish? Can we expend our lives in the cause we believe Jesus Christ has set before us? How will our choices affect our children, our marriage, our sanity, our faith, our health, etc? What if we set out to begin this journey and can't complete it? What then?
The veteran, Richard Pimentel, stated three "C"s from Aristotle's teaching that define a leader: Content, Competence, Character. Those three words describe the kind of leader who is worth following: one you can trust. The reason you trust this leader: because he cares about you.
Those three "C" words describe the leader I'm following, even to the point of death on the cross. I believe Jesus Christ, both God and man, is the only person in the entire world who could truly be ascribed these three qualities in absolute perfection. Wouldn't that be someone worthy of devoted obedience? Is this not the kind of person you want to follow into battle regardless of the terrors you might face? Is this the person who is worth dying for?
Richard Pimentel quotes his Sergeant from a particular situation in the war in Vietnam, "Responsibility is a word made up of two words, the word response and the word ability....
We all find ourselves looking at situations, we all find ourselves with abilities. What we have to ask is given my abilities, what then will be my response to those abilities?"
Romans 5:1-11 puts this another way that describes the deep joy that prompts those who believe in Jesus to endure suffering with a hope that does not disappoint. Please, please read the verses in the entire passage. I'll only include the last two.
"10 For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. 11 So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God."
There are more passages in Scripture that add to the clear picture that Jesus Christ, whom God the Father sent to die on our behalf and raised to life, is the ONLY person worthy of complete obedience and surrender. (Parables-treasure of God's Kingdom)
Revelation 5: 4-11
"4 Then I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll and read it. 5 But one of the twenty-four elders said to me, “Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David’s throne, has won the victory. He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals.”
6 Then I saw a Lamb that looked as if it had been slaughtered, but it was now standing between the throne and the four living beings and among the twenty-four elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the sevenfold Spirit of God that is sent out into every part of the earth. 7 He stepped forward and took the scroll from the right hand of the one sitting on the throne. 8 And when he took the scroll, the four living beings and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they held gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.
9 And they sang a new song with these words:
“You are worthy to take the scroll
and break its seals and open it.
For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation.
10 And you have caused them to become
a Kingdom of priests for our God.
And they will reign on the earth.”
11 Then I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders. 12 And they sang in a mighty chorus:
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered—
to receive power and riches
and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and blessing.
13 And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang:
“Blessing and honor and glory and power
belong to the one sitting on the throne
and to the Lamb forever and ever.”
14 And the four living beings said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped the Lamb."
What did David want me to remember from watching this inspirational speech? How did this speaker capture the motivation that drives him to lead our family toward great sacrifice?
"It's our responsibility..."
The theme that has been ringing with truth in my heart and mind for the past year has been,
"He alone is worthy..."
Maybe this is what God has been teaching me through all the stress and the transition and the unknown about the future. It is good that we remind ourselves of this truth.
Is He Worthy by Andrew Peterson
Does our family have the ability to do what Jesus has called us to do?
Only by his grace and through his power (2 Corinthians 3:4-6a; 3:18-5:21 NET Bible)
What will our response be? to follow him to the ends of the earth
(Matthew 28:16-20 NLT, Acts 1:8 NET Bible)
"What abilities do you have and, more importantly, what is your response to those abilities?" Richard Pimentel
Other quotes from Richard Pimentel
Leaders know that people are more important than stuff. Character isn't just about morality; it's about caring about people. It's the difference between speaking and listening, persuading and understanding, and using versus serving. Leaders do not get people to believe in them; leaders get people to believe in themselves.
Another article on the motivation for heroic sacrifice (documentary on Dr. Kent Brantly, Facing Darkness, Samaritan's Purse article)
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