Welcome back to our book club discussion. Christy and I are delighted to have you!
This week we are discussing chapters 9 and 10 of Beautiful Outlaw by John Eldredge here on the blog as well as in the community. If you are reading along, I encourage you to check out the book club community thread and join in. So much goodness is being shared from the women reading along each week. It is awesome.
Alright, let’s get this thing going!
Chapter 9: Cunning
Okay, every time I read through this chapter it is my favorite again. (How many chapters can I say that about at this point?! Let’s just say this entire book is a favorite!)
One of the major things this book did for me was open my eyes to the brilliance of Jesus – how smart and wise he was in the way he interacted with the people around him and how he trained up his 12 (and now us!) He reacted on a case by case basis with those around him, tailoring what he did to who he was dealing with. So much I can learn from that.
John Eldredge opens this chapter up with Matthew 10:16 and these very interesting words of Jesus:
“Look, I’m sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as serpents and as harmless as doves.”
Jesus is no fool. The way he deals with people, the way he “navigates” (as JE says) his way through enemy lines and religious big-wigs, the way he builds up in his followers a very realistic look at what they are up against.
When I read through this and read through the Gospels again, I couldn’t help but agree with John Eldredge here: Jesus really is cunning!
Does Jesus’ cunning behavior surprise you? Had you ever considered this before – the way he seems to be one step ahead of those who oppose him every single time? How will this change how you to deal with opposition going forward?
On page 101, Eldredge walks us through Mark 10:17-22 – the story of the young rich man who wants to follow Jesus but holds back because of the “idol {he} is clutching in his heart.” In this case, his wealth.
John Eldredge points out that the problem here was not this young man’s wealth, it was the fact that he had made it an idol, something he cherished over following Jesus. And Jesus exposes it.
The thing I love about Jesus is his cunning is coupled with his compassion. In Mark 10:23-27 we see that Jesus and the disciples have a little chat about riches and Jesus says, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Eldredge suggests Jesus is saying that even though for man to let go of a cherished idol is impossible, with God, it is more than possible.
“With a smile and a wink it’s as if he says of the young rich man, “He’ll be back.”
This is my favorite biblical story that John Eldredge breaks down within this book because it is so filled with hope. And honesty.
I read this and have to ask myself, do I consider the end result of what Jesus is calling out in me? What idols do I cherish that only He can demolish? Will I bring them to Him and allow the hard work of removing them to free me up to follow, serve, and glorify Him even more?
Chapter 10: Humility
Chapter 10 kicks off with Daniel 7:13-14. The Ancient of Days scripture set.
“I saw One like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was escorted before Him. He was given authority to rule, and glory, and a kingdom; so that those of every people, nation, and language should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will not be destroyed.”
And The King becomes a man.
“Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God,
did not consider equality with God as something to be used for His own advantage. Instead He emptied Himself by assuming the form of a slave, taking on the likeness of men. And when He had come as a man in His external form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death—even to death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:5-8)
To really imagine the very Christ of Colossians 1:15-20 was born in a manger, learned to say words, how to put on sandals, soaked in the skills of carpentry…
it is too much to wrap my mind around. This One who is the firstborn over all, who in, through, and by everything finds its existence actually was a baby here on earth.
John Eldredge talks about how much walking Jesus and the disciples did on page 109 of this chapter. And goodness, gracious. They did a LOT of walking.
He asks, “What about the humility of simply getting from here to there by means of walking?”
Considering the Son of God walking 120 miles – walking for 3 or 4 days straight – on dusty roads, in the heat, thirsty and tired?
I’m awed at such humility. Awed at such purpose.
What does Jesus’ humility challenge you to do? How does look lived out in contrast to our current culture? What ways can we pour ourselves out for His glory?
On page 116, JE writes something profound (for me, at least!) He says that “anybody can fake this {humility} thing for a while. To be a crowd-drawing teacher can be a heady experience…it is easy to be gracious when you are adored.
But when your class keeps missing the point, challenging you, breaking out into a brawl — that’s when your character is exposed.”
He talks a little more about the endurance of the humility of Jesus. How there was such a process to training up the disciples, and sharing His words with the crowds.
In terms of your own “calling”, your day to day ministry, are you finding it calls for more endurance than you thought? What can you (and I) take away from this chapter as we go forward with our own purpose?
This chapter ends with the words:
This man (Jesus) is so worthy.
Has anything more true ever been said?
Come join the discussion.
How’s the book club going, Kristen? Just checking in and cheering you on!
Karen, for the RH Team