We landed in Nashville. We are starting to understand why God brought us here. We have met many neighbors already and we started one of the house churches. Details on where the other house churches are starting are coming soon. I’m excited for the official launch in September.
Today I’m reflecting on the past six months of this church planting journey. The biggest thing on my mind is: the Great Commission is just so hard. Don’t get me wrong. It’s brilliant. I think Jesus is a genius for thinking of it. It’s actually a very efficient way to plant churches and ultimately change the world—but it’s just so dang hard. It’s such a huge task. The scope of what Jesus is asking us to do is just …massive. Reach the whole world with the gospel. Every dark corner. Every nation. Uh, that seems hard. AND make disciples. We all know that takes years and so many awkward conversations around dinner tables, in our driveways, and on our couches. This discipleship thing will wear my couch out if I’m not careful.
This is where we see the true genius of Jesus’ epic indicative sandwich approach. One way I love to read scripture is this: indicative first, imperative second. I believe that the Bible is a book primarily about God—who he is and what he’s done. Secondarily, it’s about us—who we are and how we are to live because of the first part. The indicative is who is God. The imperative is what does that mean for me. The 10 Commandments come to mind: I am the Lord your God who brought you out of slavery in Egypt. (indicative) So, in light of that, do the 10 Commandments. (imperative)
The Great Commission is such an epic example of that.
The indicative is who is God. The imperative is what does that mean for me. The perfect example is the Great Commission. Click To TweetMatthew 28:18–20:
[18] And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. [19] Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. (ESV)
I think Jesus knew how hard this task would be. So he starts with the indicative: I have all authority (indicative), so in light of that, go reach the whole earth and make disciples (imperative). But here’s what surprises me: I feel Jesus’ empathy for us so much in this. He knew that this task would be SO HARD. He knew what it would require from his disciples: everything they are, everything they have. So instead of just starting with the indicative and then going into the imperative. He does the indicative sandwich. It’s kinda like when you have to break hard news, you put something good before and after.
Those two indicatives are the only way the job gets done. It’s the only way we survive. I love that. It only happens because of who Jesus is, and what he’s done for us.