March 20, 2025
Dear Central Church,
It’s a provocative question that I’ve never quite gotten away from. When I was 12 years old, our junior high Sunday school teacher brought a collection of bracelets to class. He had lots of different colors to choose from, and naturally, I chose “cubbie” blue, which in Kansas City (and probably everywhere else) we would call royal(s) blue. In white stitching, there were 4 letters that formed an acronym: W.W.J.D.
“What would Jesus Do?” This question comes to us from a devotional book by Charles Sheldon entitled, In His Steps. It cuts straight to the heart of discipleship, asking us to consider our actions in light of who Jesus is and who he has called us to be. All the knowledge about Jesus is really useless if his followers neglect to “do what Jesus did.” And so, apprentices of Jesus are invited to ask a question that I’ve never gotten away from and I pray I never do: What would Jesus do?
There was a time in my life when I wore this bracelet to remind me of this call upon my life. I’m thankful for a Sunday school teacher that made the effort to bring these to his pupils. Like a string tied to my finger, it reminded me of who I was called to be.
The next step in our discipleship, however, is that the bracelet would eventually become unnecessary, as the impulse to do what Jesus did becomes as natural as breathing. Where are you on this journey? While I may not wear a WWJD bracelet today, I’m finding that I need other reminders to help me “practice the way.” I think of what Paul said in Philippians:
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on… (3:12)
Let’s “press on” this Sunday as we continue the Practicing the Way series. We will be invited to “Do What Jesus Did.” This is a high calling, one that feels so impossible at times, and in reality, it isn't by human striving alone. In Christ, however, through the power of the Holy Spirit, we have all we need to do what Jesus did and even “greater things than these.” (John 14:12) I look forward to seeing you Sunday as we ask God to do “greater things” in us and through us!
Until He’s Finished,
Pastor Mark