Jeremy L. Berg

Many of you know I spent several years during seminary teaching Driver Education and substitute teaching in the public schools. I had many neat encounters with teens, but one of my all time favorite stories involves Greg.  And it all began in the front seat of the student driver car.

Greg was a skinny, geeky artistic looking 16-year old musician who was quite comfortable going against the flow and embracing individuality.  Greg, with his thick-rimmed eye glasses (before he knew of Rob Bell, I might add) and mad-professor-type Einsteinian hairdo, struck me as a deeper thinking teenager who loved to ask questions and ponder the meaning of life.  Greg comes across as shy and withdrawn, but it doesn’t take long for him to gain his confidence and start probing.  

So, I set out with Greg for a 2 hour “Behind-the=wheel” driving lesson to teach him how to make smooth turns, keep safe spacing, approach intersections and some parking.  What I didn’t expect was to spend the majority of the time talking about Jesus and organized religion.  You see, two hours is a long time in a car, and you get through the small talk usually in the first 30 minutes or so.  (And I had 6 total hours with each student!)  Neither Greg or I are small talkers, so this was going to get interesting in a hurry.  Let me note at this point that I follow the general rule of most public school teachers regarding religious conversation with students: I don’t initiate but if they ask me a faith related question I answer openly and appropriately.

Greg asked me what I did when I wasn’t teaching driver’s education and sub teaching.  I told him I was in Grad school studying the Bible and Theology and training for ministry.  This new information either (1) brings about a sustained, awkward silence or (2) opens the door wide for clarifying questions such as “What is theology?”, “Are you going to be a priest?” quickly followed by “Hey, aren’t you married!?” and so on.  

The next 90 minutes was a relaxed conversation about what Christianity is really about.  You see, Greg was the kind of teens my heart breaking for.  If my memory serves me correctly, Greg’s views toward Jesus and the church at that time went something like this:

“My family attends a Catholic church and I attend with them sometimes.  I don’t understand all the rituals and traditions, but I am really intrigued by Jesus.  I wish they would do less ceremonial rituals and just explain what it means to live according to Jesus’ teachings.  Jeremy, do you know of any churches or denominations that are simply about living out Jesus’ teachings?  I would be interested in checking that out.”   

I spent the rest of the ride talking about my specific calling at that time to form a community of teens and launch a revolutionary youth movement targeting “de-churched” teens like Greg who were open to the life and teachings of Jesus, but were running in the opposite direction of the stale, institutionalized church of their past.  This was during the Revolution in Mound that you can read about HERE.

Greg joined the Revolution.  He became a sold-out follower of Jesus. He joined the Elevate Band, using his musical talents on the drums to lead community-wide worship gatherings on the high school campus.  He became a bold witness at his school for the arts by starting a Bible Study there.  I have been watching Greg’s life get more and more absorbed by the things of God.  His love for God’s Word is evident.  I am so grateful for the Lord’s work in Greg’s life and I am thrilled to see how God uses this young man to further his Kingdom.  

Today I want to share a note Greg recently wrote and posted on his Facebook page.  Sounds a lot like Kierkagaard’s parable to me! God bless you, Greg.  

There once was a king, a great and powerful king, and the number of those He ruled over was as the sand of the sea and stars of the sky. Their was never a king before, or after, as great as He. He had flocks on a thousand hills, and ruled over all the land with wisdom, and power. This king also had a temple in which He dwelled, with many servants and maidservants…

One day He was sitting in His temple on His throne, wearing a crown and robe, surrounded by servants doing various tasks for Him. The king noticed how His servants trembled in fear, they where afraid to look at Him, or speak to Him, or approach Him. The kings thought “well, rightly so, for I do have the power to execute them with one word”, but yet the king was sad, for they did now know His great love for them. The king had infinite power, but also infinite love. So He thought, “Well they know my power, now I will show them my love.”  

So He looked around the room to find the most insignificant person. And He saw her, a slave girl, who filled the water jars for hand washing. So he told her to come and bring him water and a towel. So she did, and did so trembling and shaking with fear, and could not even look the king in the eye. When she got to His throne, the king stood up, took off his majestic robe, crown, and royal rings, and was dressed like a normal man. Then with a smile the king said, “Sit up on my throne”.

All those present in the room could not believe what they heard and saw. And the king proceeded to wash the girl’s feet! With a grinning face, he was pleased to serve. The girl broke down and cried because of the honor the king gave her. And He whispered in her ear, “No longer do I call you servant, but I call you friend.” And the girl with joy unspeakable hugged her great king and ran home to tell her family what He had done for her.

The others in the room just stood their speechless. And the king was left their, kneeling, and inviting the rest of His servants to be washed, and He said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

I think the meaning is clear: Jesus Christ is that great king who created the universe, but also came and humbled Himself as a man, served and set us free. I have come to know that this is not a religion, philosophy, or old story, but a reality. And I cannot resist this great King who washes feet.   In the bible it says that Jesus prayed for the ones who where killing Him.  He said, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.” And that is exactly what He did! He came back to life and forgave His murders and offered them friendship forever! What radical love!

So though we are His murders He forgives us and washes our feet and gives us new life with Him…