Gordon Boice has led the Ventures in Faith Sunday School class for over a decade. The class pivoted to virtual gatherings during the pandemic and as they wrapped up their last virtual session this week before the Summer Lecture Series begins in June, Gordon shared this reflection, dedicated to the members of the Ventures in Faith class, “who have helped keep my faith inquisitive and growing.”
If Jesus said it to the disciples, did he say it to me?
The idea of biblical relevance for our personal spiritual lives is ancient. Early in the church practices were identified to focus on this aspect of Christian growth. The sixth-century monks had established a process of scripture reading that is known as Lectio Divina, or sacred reading. The practice follows several steps that focus attention and receptivity on the Bible passages.
Almost everywhere through the gospels we find verses that start something like, “And Jesus said to her,” or, “And Jesus said to him. . . .”
I often read or listen to these Bible stories in a very detached manner. The stories are ancient accounts told to distant biblical characters and useful as a window into the situation at that time. But every now and then a little voice in my head asks, “is Jesus talking to me?”
That little voice usually speaks up at the moment when I would rather not listen personally to that text, but would prefer to hear it as intended for someone else. I’m reminded of the story of the rich young man who received a difficult answer from Jesus. It seems he went away wishing Jesus had not been talking to him. [Mark 10:17-22]
However, if I am going to identify myself as a disciple, perhaps I cannot evade the messages from Jesus. Very often those Bible passages are just as accurately read, “And Jesus said to Gordon. . . .”
This is getting serious. My imagination makes it a very different experience to read or listen to a historical passage intended for someone else, or to read a message meant for me directly from Jesus, or to hear Jesus’s words spoken to me.
I think it is safe, though challenging, to say that within the Bible are words that speak directly from God to each of us.
“Follow me” Jesus says to the disciples. I also want to be a disciple, and the distance between then and now all of a sudden shrinks to nothing.
The young man in Mark’s story offers us these examples for approaching Jesus.
He went looking for Jesus.
He asked Jesus his questions.
He listened and heard.
He recognized that Jesus was speaking to him.
He went away and wrestled with his choices and decisions.
We are all in these Bible stories somewhere. Let’s continue seeking and asking and listening, and following.
-Gordon Boice
For more information about our Sunday School classes, Bible Studies, and Spiritual Formation small groups, contact Rev. Brent Huckaby.