Abraham – prototype of a successor
Series: Follow me | Bible text: Hebrews 11:8–10; Genesis 12:1–2
Abraham listened to God’s words and was ready to set off. He left the familiar and sought out previously unknown new territory. He retained this agility because his nomadic life was reflected in an inner attitude of freedom. He waited for the new world of God as the ultimate place of bliss.
The aim of a church is not to create an attractive programme, but to train followers of Jesus. But for some reason, followers have become converted Christians. Doing has become knowing, walking has become sitting. The Christian faith has a path form, everything essential happens on the path. This is also shown by the story of Abraham, who is regarded as the central figure of faith in the Bible.
Listening to God
«By faith, Abraham obeyed when God asked him to leave his homeland and move to another land that God would give him as an inheritance […]» (Hebrews 11:8 NLB). In both the Hebrew and the Greek language, there are two words for listen and obey only one word. Significantly, we also find the corresponding word stem in the Greek word for follow (akolouthein). A follower of Jesus Christ is someone who hears and obeys. Abraham heard God’s words and reacted to them. Without much discussion, he was ready to leave his homeland.
Whenever I think about this departure, I remember the scene when Silvia and I left home as a young married couple with a lump in our throats and tears in our eyes. We left our family, professional and church environment behind, knowing that we would probably never return. We made this decision for ourselves out of the conviction that we had heard God’s voice. This happened in different ways. Even at a young age, my pastor and the church leadership told me that they thought I should do a theological education. Deep down, I felt the same impression, which I could not eliminate despite my best efforts. The ultimate impetus, however, was a Bible text that Silvia and I read during a time together with God after our marriage. From then on, it was clear that our future path in life was a question of obedience. You cannot sit passively in the pew and be transformed towards Jesus at the same time. Discipleship and discipleship require obedience and affect the whole person.
«The Lord God has given me the tongue of a disciple, so that I may know how to encourage the weary. Morning by morning he opens my ear to hear as a disciple hears» (Isaiah 50:4 NLB). It is the privilege of a disciple of Jesus to hear God’s voice. Typically, this happens «morning by morning», i.e. when all the other voices have not yet risen.
In a recent excellent sermon here by Nelia R, she emphasised that our first calling is to let Jesus love us and to love him. «Whoever knows my commandments and obeys them loves me. And because he loves me, my Father will love him and I will love him. And I will make myself known to him personally» (John 14:21 NLB). The hallmark of love for Jesus is obedience to him.
Abraham heard the voice of God: «Then the LORD commanded Abram: «Leave your homeland, your relatives and your father’s family and go to the land that I will show you! A great nation will descend from you. I will bless you and you will be known throughout the world. I will make you a blessing to others» » (Genesis 12:1–2 NLB). When God speaks, it is always about returning to the original calling of man, namely to reflect God’s glory into this world.
On the way to new territory
«[…] He left without knowing where his path would lead him» (Hebrews 11:8 NLB). I admire people like Abraham. There are still people like that today. I recently heard the story of a family from Germany who thought they heard God’s voice so clearly that they sold their house. At the same time, they had the impression that things were continuing in a small village in Switzerland that they had never seen before. Miraculously, they actually found a flat in that place at precisely the right time. A niece of mine is preparing for a longer assignment in the Arab world. At the same time, she also has a strong desire for a partner. Although she knows that, mathematically speaking, such a path would drastically reduce her chances in this respect, she is boldly going ahead. I learnt the following wise words from the headmaster of the TSC: «Do something every now and then that you are a little afraid of.» This challenge has been with me ever since. The last time I took it seriously was last summer, when I went to Canada for my sabbatical.
Discipleship involves the willingness to leave one’s own safety or comfort zone in response to God’s words. What remains is the promise that Joshua received from God before taking the land: «Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not despair. For I, the LORD your God, am with youwherever you go» (Joshua 1:9 NLB). Leaving your own safety and comfort zone does not exclusively mean setting off to a geographically foreign country! But Succession is always something for pioneerseven if new territory can mean something seemingly small such as an honest conversation, a labour of love for a neighbour, involvement in the church, a change in lifestyle, hope in dark times or seeking pastoral support. In any case, God’s promise above also applies to entering such new territory.
The fact that Abraham, the prototype of faith, had to set off with his family to a new land has a deep spiritual significance. Following Jesus is concrete, material and tangible. It is about family and new land and not just about forgiveness of sins and a ticket to a spiritualised heaven. If we stop at a gospel of justification, the result will be countless professing Christians who may be ready to die, but are not ready to live. Discipleship and discipleship means learning from Jesus Christ how to live in the kingdom of God now, just as He demonstrated during His time on earth. Justification is inseparable from renewal. And renewal naturally leads to sanctification and glorification. A gospel of justification alone does not produce followers. Life with Jesus is not a purely spiritual matter. You cannot sit passively in the pew and be transformed towards Jesus at the same time. Discipleship and discipleship require activity and affect the whole person.
At the end of time, followers of Jesus will not go to a distant heaven where souls are buzzing around. No, God is creating a new earth and a new heaven, where all people justified by Jesus will dwell together with God in new bodies. As followers, we anticipate this glorious future and practise living in a holistically renewed way.
Stranger in the tent
«And even when he reached the land that God had promised him, he lived there by the power of faith – for he was in the land like a stranger dwelling in a tent, just like Isaac and Jacob, to whom God had made the same promise. Abraham was able to act in this way because he was waiting for a city with firm foundations, whose builder and creator is God himself» (Hebrews 11:9–10 NLB).
Abraham was therefore prepared to enter new territory in the transitory world because deep in his heart he was waiting for the New Jerusalem, the new world of God. He saw himself as a pilgrim, a citizen of an ultimately better place (Philippians 3:20). A follower of Jesus has exactly the same perspective. A new heaven and a new earth await him, where he will live with a new body. As disciples of Jesus, we should live fully in the now, knowing that we are destined for something incomparably higher. This prospect changes everything. Life in this world no longer has to offer all the happiness. The ultimate bliss comes later. Living in a tent has something adventurous, provisional and liberating about it. Indian wisdom says: «The world is a bridge. Cross it, but don’t build your home there.»
With the prospect of «A city with firm foundations» we will live differently, more freely, more courageously, more obediently. When we have set our anchor in this city, we will break new ground here on earth and venture out onto the water. Self-critically, I ask myself whether we are seriously waiting for God’s new world or rather hoping that it will not come for a long time yet. But – our discipleship will be given a tremendous boost if we set our hearts firmly on the city with firm foundations right now.
The reason we cling so strongly to the certainties of this world is that we have false ideas about the future city. Last year Timothy Keller, a New York pastor who I love to listen to, died. As he was dying, he said: «The only thing that death can do to a Christian is to make his life infinitely better.» John Donne, an English theologian from the 16th century, once wrote: «I will rise from the dead. I will see the Son of God, the Sun of Glory, and I myself will shine like the sun. I will be united with the people of times long past and also with God himself, who had no morning that never began. […] No man has ever seen God and remained alive. And yet I will not live until I see God. And when I have seen him, I will never die again.» Words will never suffice to describe this marvellous city with solid foundations.
We have to live life forwards, but often only understand it when we look back. This is why setting out into new territory requires so much courage. What happened to Abraham’s departure? God has kept His word. A great people emerged – God’s people. What happened to our departure 30 years ago? God has kept His word. As a family, we live in the deep certainty that we are in the place where God wants to use us.
Possible questions for the small group
Read the Bible text: Hebrews 11:8–10; Genesis 12:1–2
- Today: How would you define following Jesus in one sentence?
- Discipleship always begins with hearing God’s voice. How do you hear God’s voice? How and when do you consciously give God the opportunity to speak to you?
- Succession involves the willingness to break new ground. What experiences have you had with this? In which area of life could it be time for you to take a courageous step?
- What effects does it have if someone waits for the city with a solid foundation? What are your expectations in this regard? How could this be promoted?
- Be still and listen to God. Is he challenging you at any point?
