05/31/2021
By Pastor Vinnie Cappetta
"Command or Compel?"
"In the TV film The Chosen, Jesus listens to the story of Samaritan—one who shamefully admits to having attacked a Jew along the road one day (with a couple of others), stealing all of his stuff and leaving the victim on the road, not knowing whether the Jew was alive or dead. The Samaritan broke his leg very shortly thereafter and has been suffering its effects ever since; moreover, he’s deeply sorry about his past actions. As Jesus and some of his disciples share a meal with the man and his family, he can’t get over why someone like Jesus would spend time with a sinner like him.
Rufus M. Jones is on to something when he points out, “You cannot command or compel people into holiness, you cannot increase their spiritual stature one cubit by any kind of force or compulsion. You can do it only by sharing your life with them, by making them feel your goodness, by your love and sacrifice for them.” -From the Double Stretch by Rufus M. Jones
That’s what Jesus did. He shared his life. His love compelled people to follow him. If there is someone you want to see follow Jesus, keep sharing life with him, keep being good to him, keep loving him, keep sacrificing for him and let Jesus compel him to come to the Father.
And He said to them, Come after Me [as disciples—letting Me be your Guide], follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men! Matthew 4:19 from the AMPC version
