You Can Lead, but You Can’t Make Them Drink

Last night I went out with a few students. We laughed, they rapped, I listened, and then we went out to eat.

There is something special that happens around a dinner table in a Mexican restaurant with students.

We talked some more over bowls of chips and salsa. Laughed at each other…many times at me at my expense. And that is okay.

The night before some of us were talking about Jesus’ relationship with others. His family, his friends, his enemies.

The question went out, “Do you think Jesus cut up with people.”

Do you think Jesus told jokes? Laughed like a normal teenage boy? Played gags on his parents? Do you believe Jesus was 100% man and 100% God. Do you believe Jesus was at one time a teenage boy?

I do. He was still sinless, but I can see Jesus being a typical teenager, just the perfect one.

Well last night a topic I had never experienced was brought up, “I bet Jesus was a pimp and slept around a lot.”

I took in the sentence and then calmly said, “No. Jesus wasn’t like that. Jesus didn’t sleep around. He was perfect.”

“Well, they said He had many sons and daughters.”

Once again I didn’t react, but I saw for the first time how someone could think that if they didn’t understand the meaning of the verses. “They don’t mean in a physical sense. More like believers who follow him.”

“Who’s to say that’s what that meant? And who says sex before marriage is wrong?”

I listen as I keep eating my chips. “The Bible says.”

“Who says that’s right?”

I just smile, “I believe the Bible’s all right.”

“Well, I don’t know about it.”

The topic was dropped, but it was a discussion that just sprung out of nowhere. Who knows if I got through, but it’s not my job to force people to drink of His grace.

It’s my job to point people to the free cup that is offered to everyone.

Offered to the outcasts, the thieves, murderers, addicted, confused, scarlet women and men, wanna be players, and backstabbers.

His cup is deep enough to cover all the blemishes we expose or try to hide.

His mercy is endless like the universe that will never cease to forgive and forget.

His love is unfathomable like imaginary numbers.

His peace is constant like the waves in the ocean.

He is real. He is true. He is love.

So, who knows what will be discussed over your next lunch of chips and salsa?

It may not change the situation or it may change someone’s world forever.

Just be willing. Just be present. Just be. He can be the rest.

Peace