Person-2-Person - September, 2024

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by David Phelps

“Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person.” – Mother Teresa

September, 2024

A few weeks ago, while I was having my hair cut, one of the stylists referred to someone as “a good egg.” The lady who was cutting my hair had never heard the expression, and I was surprised. Perhaps I’m showing my age, but I thought everyone knew what a “good egg” was. If you’re not familiar, The Free Dictionary says a “good egg” is “Someone who is known to be trustworthy and kind.”

You might say Jesus was a “good egg,” maybe even the original one. One day, he read from the scroll containing what we know as the book of Isaiah and proclaimed, “‘Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.’” (Luke 4:21b New International Version). Afterward, the people of Nazareth “. . . spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips.” (vs. 4:22a NIV).

But then, when he said they would reject him and his teachings, the people “. . . got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him off the cliff.” (vs. 29 NIV). Fortunately, he was able to escape (vs. 30) because it was not yet his time to die. How quickly he went from being a “good egg” to a “rotten egg,” someone the same people were ready to throw off a cliff.

From there, he went to Capernaum, where he taught anyone who would listen (vs. 31). Soon, he began healing those who were sick and casting out demons (vs. 40-41). He went from people trying to kill him for what he said to them to being a “good egg” for what he could do for them. They even tried to talk him out of going on to the next town (vs. 41b), yet he was the same Jesus he had been in Nazareth. Only the people and their attitude were different.

Later, he told his disciples, “‘Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you, / for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets.’” (6:26 NIV). He warned them to be wary of those who would call them “good eggs” because it might mean what they were saying made people comfortable instead of challenging them.

He told the Pharisees, “‘You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight.’” (Luke 16:15b NIV). He let them know he could see through their masks of righteousness to the evil in their hearts (Matt. 9:4, 12:34-35, 23:26-37). He told the Jewish leaders, “‘I do not accept glory from human beings,’” (John 5:41 NIV). Instead, his affirmation came from God (vs. 44). Later, some of the same leaders believed in him but remained silent for fear of being removed from the synagogue because “. . . they loved human praise more than praise from God.” (12:43 NIV).

As I write this, it’s only been a few weeks since the 2024 Summer Olympics concluded, with their focus on human achievement and praise. As usual, there were moments of collective and personal triumph, such as when Team USA gymnast Suni Lee said after winning a bronze medal, “I gave it my all, and that’s all that matters.” As part of giving her “all,” she overcame kidney disease, which might have ended her Olympic career, and a nasty fall during competition, but she kept on, and proved herself to be an all-around “good egg.”

God expects us to give our “all” too (Matt.22:37), and not just physically: “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” (1 Tim. 4:8 NIV). Paul wanted to make sure his young friend, Timothy, had the right priorities.

I want to have the right priorities too, to be a “good egg” for God, because it’s God’s will (Luke 16:10, Matt. 5:42). I want to be known for speaking graciously but more than that, I want my words to glorify God. I want others to say good things about me because they see Christ in me. That’s the best witness I can imagine.

“On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. . . . We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else,” (1 Thes. 2:4, 6 NIV.)