students of jesus

True story: Leonard Pugh was my first boss, 40 years my senior, a hard-boiled sales manager. He took me out for sales training: we parked at a nondescript office building and he asked, “Have you thought about what you’re going to say when you cold-call a prospective customer?”

I hadn’t, but I stammered out some nonsense.

“No,” he corrected. “Say this . . .” He proceeded to rattle off a well-rehearsed pitch. I had no chance of remembering a word of it. We entered the building and walked into the first office. As he pushed the door open he whispered, “All right then, off you go!” He stood by the door and listened to me. The receptionist brushed me off in less than a minute—less than 30 seconds, really. Leonard and I retreated to the hallway.

“That was terrible,” he said. “Say this . . . “ and he repeated the same stuff.

On to the next door: same building. As I touched the door he patted me on the shoulder and whispered, “You take this one by yourself.”

Petrified, I walked into a small office. A man old enough to be my father looked up and asked, “May I help you?” using only his eyes. I mumbled an introduction and company name. He interrupted, “What does your firm do?” I told him everything I knew. It didn’t take long. When I paused he said, “OK, we’ll give you a try.” Whatever deficiencies I experienced on my first attempt were magically corrected by walking ten steps down an office hallway. I returned to the hallway, order in hand. Leonard grinned: “OK, you’ve got it. You’re on your own.”

Months later I found out Leonard set the whole thing up: the guy in the second office was a regular customer. Leonard told him we were coming, and asked him to give me an order. Even in my inexperience and ignorance, Leonard had my back. He remained a teacher and a resource, but he sent me out to do the work from the very first day.

This is a real-life parable. Simply substitute “Jesus” for “Leonard Pugh” and you’ve got the idea. That, and multiply Leonard’s powers by a zillion.

We think we’re not ready. In fact, we know it. But Jesus delights in pushing us out door even while watching over us. Here’s the Bible-version. When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He told them: “Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt . . .”  (Luke 9:1-3)   Do you honestly think these guys were ready? This episode happens early in Jesus’ ministry, when the disciples were still rookies. The Lord puts his hand on their shoulders and whispers, “You take this one by yourself.” They return triumphant. Before the chapter is over they’re multiplying loaves and fish along with the boss.

In Luke 10 Jesus sends out 70 more – do you think they were ready? A mere 18 verses later: “Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.” 

Let me make it plain: he’s got your back. Ministry’s not really about you, anyway. And besides, who could really learn everything they need to know in advance of the situation. I suspect that’s why Jesus ended the Great Commission with “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Of course we should study, train, apprentice, and prepare. But when it comes to ministry, who is ever prepared for healing the sick, cleansing lepers, binding up the devastated heart, or sharing heaven’s wisdom? The revelation comes when we realize we don’t have the goods no matter how much experience we gain. He’s the source; we’re the servants.

And Leonard Pugh would agree: Jesus is a better boss.

“All right then, off you go!”