Rick Murray - A Great Commission Hero

Last Sunday's worship in our church focused on Matthew 28:19, about making disciples of all nations. The word translated "nations" in most English Bibles is the Greek word "ethne," meaning much more than just political boundaries. It means every possible way human beings group themselves or are grouped, officially and unofficially. For first century Jews it could also signify any non-Jews, and thus all groupings with whom they believed they should not associate.

At one of our worship services a friend of mine, Rick Murray, was able to attend. Most Sundays his job keeps him away from our Sunday worship opportunities. He works as a guard at a state penitentiary in our area. From the time he started this job he has prayed daily that God would help him exemplify and communicate the living presence of Jesus to those he would encounter among prisoners and prison employees. Rick works in an "ethne" that most of us will never encounter, nor, honestly, would we want to do so. He realizes that that he may have one chance with any one inmate to help him connect with the One who loves them enough to die and rise for him. Rick was able to come on Sunday because he is on a short injury leave. He was injured trying to deal with an altercation on one of the prison floors.

When Rick realized the focus of our worship and message, the Holy Spirit compelled him to share with the congregation. In the midst of the altercation at the prison that injured him an inmate came to Rick and assured him that if he was ever in a vulnerable position like that, the inmate would have Rick's back. This was a convicted rapist and murderer, who is among the many for whom Rick has tried to be Jesus' ambassador in this volatile, harsh environment. At one time Rick would have never thought that any connection would be made with this man. Now, Rick reported with tearful joy, the door is open.

Rick wanted to encourage us never to underestimate what God can do when the Holy Spirit causes us to step out of our contexts and comfort zones and into another "ethne" to represent the grace of God in Jesus. I am convicted of the number of times I have acted as if the great commission of Matthew 28:19 says, "Stay inside your church buildings and wait for people who look and act like you to come to you, and then make them my disciples..." The key word is in the actual verse is "go..." Rick chose to go when sent, and the Kingdom of God is impacted because of it.

I'll see you around the next bend in the river, and in the next "ethne" to which God guides us!