“By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
John 13:35 (RSV)
I listened to the testimony of Jim Wahlberg, the brother of actor Mark Wahlberg. He told his story of redemption, becoming an alcoholic by age twelve, continuing a life of crime, and then spending ten years in prison. While telling his own story, he shared a story within his story.
After being released from prison, he formed a connection with a men’s church group, which was the key to the development of his new life in Christ. He attended an Emmaus men’s retreat, and the Lord did a deep healing in him that weekend. Afterwards, he began working as a volunteer with that group and shared the following true story.
A certain young man, who had fallen away from his faith, came to one of those men’s retreats. His heart was moved and he surrendered his life to Jesus. He had a heavy criminal past, but the community of men in that group, prayed and supported him throughout that weekend.
At the end of the retreat, he said goodbye to the men he came to know, telling them that he was most likely headed for prison. He was awaiting a trial for attempted murder, and was sure he would be sent away for a long prison sentence, and never see them again. Jim Wahlberg spent time with him, sharing his own experience in prison and telling him what to expect when he got there.
The young man stayed in contact with the men in the group, who were praying for him regularly, until his court date arrived. When he came to court that day, he was surprised to see fifty men from the retreat group, who were sitting in the courtroom, in solidarity of support for him. They filled the courtroom, wearing their retreat T-shirts with the logo on it.
The judge, even after seeing the large group and hearing the young man’s testimony, was very skeptical, saying that he has seen many men come to Jesus who’ve been charged with attempted murder, but he ordered a continuance of the case.
When the next court date arrived, instead of fifty, seventy five men showed up and filled the courtroom once more, in solidarity and support for the young man.
It was the same judge as the first case, and after the proceedings, he said, “I’m going to do something I never planned to do. I’m going to send this young man back home, but not because he found Jesus. I’m sending him home because seventy five men thought it worthwhile to take their day off of work to be here in support of him.”
What living examples those men were as disciples of the Lord, by showing their love and support. Jesus never said that we show the world our faith in Him, only by our words, or how frequently we attend church, or how educated we are, or can quote scripture, or argue our beliefs. He said that we show our faith by how we love one another.
Jesus wanted the world to see His church shine as a community of love, offering support and solidarity to one another. The church is to be a place where the stronger support the weaker, with patience and love.
(Romans 15:1-2)
That group of men supported the weaker man, knowing God had begun a good work in his life. In a show of love and unity, they influenced a skeptical judge, who observed some true disciples of Jesus.
Lord, thank you for the grace you have shown to the men in this story. Give us love and patience for one another, so that the world will know that we are your disciples. Amen
