Attention Deficit

Luke 13:23-24
"A bystander said, “Master, will only a few be saved?” He said, “Whether few or many is none of your business. Put your mind on your life with God. The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires your total attention."

In high school, I had one of those teachers who knew everything he needed to know about his subject, felt the passion for the subject in his soul, but couldn't convey that knowledge in a way that a South American tree-sloth would find interesting. If you know who Ben Stein is, you've got a clue as to the level of interest this man can maintain. Watching the grass grow would hold far greater levels of excitement than his teaching. He brings whole new levels of meaning to the word "monotone." His voice was about as interesting as the tone they play for the Emergency Broadcast System. Nothing stood out about this man. He wore almost the exact same suit and tie every day with only slight variations. His hair was combed the same way. His glasses were the same. His lectures were the same...well, they seemed that way.

I can't count the number of times I was caught lost in some world other than his classroom. "Shane, can you tell me who the first Pony Express rider was?" And as I'd wipe the drool from the corner of my mouth and the sleep from my eyes, I would stammer forth with an intelligent: "Pony Express? Huh?"

There was certainly a deficit of my attention in his class.

Until the last day of school, my senior year.

He was dressed as usual. And he began his class as usual. Yes, the last day of school, he wanted to deliver another stimulating lecture on some aspect of government history. As he started into his talk, he reached up and unloosened his tie just a little bit. Then after a while, he unbuttoned the top button of his shirt. With this action, he began to draw our attention. After a few minutes, he took off his tie. Now we were listening...actually, just watching his every move. I can't tell you a thing he said that day. But I will never forget the progression of events which ensued. His passion began to show and he became a little more animated. He then removed his sport-coat. By this time, the whole class began to nervously look at each other. But our eyes never strayed from him for more than a passing glance to our neighbor, so enrapt were we. With about ten minutes left in the class, he took off his white buttoned-down shirt. Our mouths hung open as he stood there teaching in his dress pants, white t-shirt, and dress shoes. With only minutes left, he stopped, turned to face us directly, and he began to undo his belt, and then dropped his pants.

A gasp of pure terror escaped from each mouth at the thought that we were about to see our monotonous educator standing in front of us in his knickers.

He was wearing shorts underneath his pants. We didn't see his undies. Praise God, for I'm sure we'd all have fainted dead away at the sight. With this final action, our normally dry, completely un-funny teacher doubled over laughing hysterically. He quickly re-dressed and as the bell rung, he put his finger up to his lips and simply whispered "Shhhhh."

This was the one moment this man lived for. I almost believe that the only reason he taught was for this moment each year. One moment of complete hilarity. One class taught with our total attention...all eyes affixed to his every move.

Unfortunately, this is how our walk of faith often ends up: one brief moment of Jesus having our total attention. Instead of each day having our complete attention, like my poor teacher, Jesus only rarely enjoys our partial attention...let alone our total attention.

But here, as Jesus talks to a passer-by, He reminds us that the way to His Father requires our eyes being completely fixed on Jesus. Jesus, the Way to God, requires our total attention. We're not to worry about who's going to get to go to Heaven. We're simply supposed to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. We're not to worry about what we're supposed to eat or drink or wear. We're supposed to keep our eyes on Jesus. We're not to spend our time with silly arguments which distract others from Jesus. We're supposed to give Him our total and complete attention.

Tall order. But is our Savior anything like my monotonous teacher? Is our Savior that un-funny? Is Jesus that uninteresting? Is it that big of a challenge for Jesus to hold our attention? It shouldn't be. But so often, we think that we're so much more funny...so much more interesting. So often we think there are more important things to which to give our attention than Jesus.

Jesus, our Savior, told the best stories, the funniest jokes, and could capture the attention of literally thousands of people for hours at a time. Jesus didn't have to do what my teacher did to get our attention. He could simply open His mouth, and out would come words spoken with such passion that it became nigh impossible to devote your attention to anyone or anything else but Him. Imagine being in the presence of Jesus. Imagine hearing His sermon on the mount. Imagine Him stopping to tell parables to the Pharisees. Imagine Him stopping to talk with the children. Imagine being at the last supper.

Everywhere Jesus went, He did not lack for peoples' attention.

Except that last night in the Garden at Gethsemane. And this is where He knew once and for all that He would have to go the way of the cross. He asked for the cup to pass from Him...He asked for another way. But His Father knew this was the only Way and told Him so.

The cross was the only way to get rid of the deficit of our attention. It was the one moment that Jesus lived for...and died for.

The cross was the only way to catch peoples' attention for all of time. It was the last lesson before the bell would ring on history. But this time, at the end of class, Jesus did not tell us to "shhh." This time, Jesus told us to get out there and tell everyone. This final attention-grabbing lesson was no secret to be hidden from the next unsuspecting students. Rather, it was the lesson we are to proclaim to everyone. It is the lesson of His love. It is the lesson of His grace. It is the most-attention-getting lesson of all of time.

Who or what has your attention today? Does Jesus? Does He have a deficit of your attention?

"Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace." --Helen H. Lemmel, 1922

Be WILD For Christ!

Pastor Shane