Harry and Dagmar, our friends who have lived in Jerusalem the past twenty-three years, stayed with us this past week. They visited my classes one day and answered questions from high school students. We may reach conclusions on world politics or the conflict in the Middle East by reading the newspaper or watching the news, but when you visit with people who live there you get a whole new perspective. “If a person has love in his heart for the Jews but no love for the Arabs, he does not understand the love of God. Or if a person has love in his heart for the Arabs but no love for the Jews, he also does not understand the love of God.” Harry’s quote reminded me that we need to see things from God’s viewpoint.
Suppose Martha Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Henry Knox decided to write biographies of George Washington. Would they all write the same book? You might expect Thomas Jefferson to give clear insight on the political life of George Washington and his strength as an early leader in our nation. As Secretary of War and Revolutionary War general, Henry Knox might focus on the military exploits of our first president. And surely Martha would write a more personal volume about her husband. Each could give a true account of a man’s life, but the author’s perspective would produce three different books.
Peter, Paul, and John all knew Jesus. Two walked with him on earth for three years as disciples. Peter and John listened to his teaching and witnessed his miracles. Paul was called to be an apostle after Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. Though each knew Jesus as Savior and Lord, their experiences in life and the work of the Holy Spirit gave different viewpoints.
Peter failed miserably as a disciple and friend when he denied Jesus three times on the night of his betrayal. But after Jesus forgave and restored him and after the Holy Spirit empowered him, Peter proclaimed the Gospel the rest of his life.
John, ‘the disciple that Jesus loved’, was the only one of the Twelve to remain at the cross when his Savior died. He lived longer than any other apostle, constantly telling the story of Jesus.
Paul said he was not worthy to be an apostle, yet God chose him to write more of the New Testament than any other person. Paul had a burning desire to know Christ more and more. Through a multitude of trials and much suffering, Paul proclaimed the good news and the mystery of Christ until he died a martyr’s death.
So what about us? What viewpoint do I have? What viewpoint do you have? Can we humbly and boldly tell the story of Jesus in our lives? Your perspective may be quite different than mine, yet we know God’s love and Christ’s work in our hearts. Our message needs to line up with that of Peter, Paul, and John, but God’s work in a life is wonderfully unique. May we take time to remember, reflect, and recount the goodness of our King.
“I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever. Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts. They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works. They will tell of the power of your awesome works, and I will proclaim your great deeds. They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.” Psalm 145:1-7