Most people are curious about the Gospels, some even study them. Then there are the certified gospel nuts that find joy in some of the smallest details. I think I am guilty of being in that last group. It is fascinating stuff. Many times the treasures, the "pearls of wisdom" are buried in the details. For example:

How do we know Jesus was really the son of God? Simple, all four gospels tell us about John the Baptist. It explains that he is told by God to go around baptizing people and when he hits the right one, God will identify him … personally. So one day John is doing his appointed thing and sure enough, when he baptizes Jesus of Nazareth the heavens split open, the Holy Spirit descends upon Jesus and the voice of God comes from heaven and says: "This is my son, whom I love and am well pleased." (I guess that settles that one, huh?)

After all of the commotion dies down, one of the guys who sees this with his own eyes (Andrew), runs home to tell his brother, Simon. Andrew is ranting and raving so much Simon agrees to come and see for himself. Andrew tells him "This is the guy, the real deal. I'm telling you, the voice of God spoke!" Jesus greets Simon and tells him from now on you will be called Peter. Simon still doesn't get it. It's almost as if he says, "Whatever, I've got some fishing nets to work on, so if you'll excuse me…"

Gimme a break. The most amazing event of the times. (Remember God had not spoken to his people for hundreds of years.) And Simon is "underwhelmed."

Day two, At the Sea of Galilee:

Jesus comes upon some fishermen. Andrew and Simon are there, tired and frustrated from fishing all night and coming up empty. Jesus tells them to put out their boats into deep water, and now let down their nets. They caught so many fish the nets began to tear. So they call their buddies to help with the enormous catch. There are so many fish they fill both boats to the brim. Cool!

Simon (now Peter) now falls to his knees. "Please go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man" (not worthy of being near you) Luke 5-8

My first (judgmental) reaction is: Oh, now Peter finally gets it. He didn't get it when it was the promise of eternity and salvation. But he sure gets it when money is at hand. But after asking the Lord to help me not be that way I start to see it from another perspective…

People who do not believe come to Church as Simon came to the Baptism. It is interesting. They are curious but they are not impressed. They cannot relate the message of Jesus to their everyday life. Church attendance is a side trip, a breather, then back to reality. But they "get it" when the message is brought to them on their turf. In their everyday life.

Would you like to make a difference? Be an example for others at the race track. Not (just) in church. That is the message of Team RFC. It's not what we do in the chapel service. It is the residual effect we bring to the race track, after the first cars are fired up. Watch them "get it" as Peter finally did. The words of Christ were not something to be repeated as ritual in the church. Remember in those days there was no church. Jesus did most of his best works in the real world. I guess we should also.

Godspeed,
Mike Schacter
Team RFC