Jesus: Life Coach Or Lord?
No one likes being told what to do. This becomes very evident at the airport. Whether it is being told that bags are too heavy, laptops must be scanned, liquids have been packed incorrectly, or hearing the sound that requires a second pass through the metal detector, people cringe at the thought of submitting to some kind of authority. The airport is not the only place this becomes evident. It can become a problem on the job, in the neighborhood, or in one’s own family. As stated before, people don’t like being told what to do. However, this becomes increasingly difficult when it comes to surrendering one’s life to Jesus.
Today, Jesus is described by people in many different ways--He’s a friend, listener, healer, counselor, and forgiver. In the end, what matters most is not how Jesus is characterized, but how He is portrayed in the Bible.
A familiar passage portrays Jesus as in charge and calling the shots. Look at the words of Jesus found in Matthew 28:18-20:
“Then Jesus said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I
have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
(Matthew 28:18-20)
These are very familiar verses to most Christians. This article will focus on the words, “…teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” The first thing that is assumed is that there are certain things Jesus commanded His disciples to do. This is a strong word. Very few people like to be commanded to do things. Today, people are encouraged, influenced, persuaded, and coached, not commanded. What must be remembered is that He is called, “the Lord Jesus Christ.” Yet today, Jesus is more of a life coach, than a Lord who places demands upon His subjects.
As stated above, no one likes being told what to do, but that’s exactly what Jesus does. He told His followers to obey what He commanded them to do. In addition, those who surrendered to Jesus and followed Him were told to teach others to obey what they themselves had been commanded. These words, obey/command, seem like words used by those who train animals, not the words of those who deal with people. But this is what Jesus told His first followers to do:
“…go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I
have commanded you.”
The reason Jesus can use these words, is because he has “all authority.” Someone who has all authority can tell people what to do. So here is the question: Does Jesus have that kind of authority in the church? Is Jesus more than a coach? Is Jesus more than an encourager? Does He call the shots? In Revelation 2:2, Jesus described Himself as one who walks among the churches. What will He find? Will it please Him, break His heart, or require His discipline? In the end, it’s good to be reminded who Jesus really is. Those who claim Him as Savior must obey everything He has commanded His disciples to do. Jesus is more than a life coach, Jesus is Lord
Genesee Country Church
Oakfield, NY
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