PerryDox – BeJustAChristian

   Let’s take a walk down the path of the past and then make a spiritual application.  But before discussing the meaning of this article’s title—One Hundred People— let me ask you a question—How many people do you know?

   O.K., hold that thought for a while.

   The title—One Hundred People—doesn’t refer to the century mark in attendance that we have matched or surpassed on several occasions recently, twice in a row several weeks ago.  But considering our encouraging numbers, it makes the following facts that much more amazing:

• The average person in medieval society saw only about one hundred other people in the duration of his or her lifetime.
• The average person during those centuries never journeyed more than ten miles from home.

   These pieces of historical trivia reshape our romantic notions of chivalry and courtly elegance (although scant examples did occur). Throughout most of human history, life has been grim, provincial and short.  Bluntly, we wouldn’t want to have been living then.

   For example, how did you find someone to marry? Statistically, of the one hundred people encountered by the average person, half were probably kinsmen. Half of the remainder would be of the same sex, and no more than a quarter of the rest would be near your age. That leaves five or six girls for the average boy to choose from. What if they were all…uh, less than attractive? Ladies, what if the boy couldn’t support you?  Or, what if you had to, as a young teenage girl, marry a much older man only because he could support you?  Maybe you would have to marry your cousin, as people frequently did.  By the way, that still happens today in secluded, isolated, xenophobic communities.

   Back then… you had to settle – today the choices are far more numerous – and probability suggests less chance of “settling.”  Although divorce is far more rampant today.  Choice does not always equate wisdom.

   Back then… you got married as soon as a candidate (whether viable or not) came your way, which meant getting married very young.  Life was not to be experienced, simply survived for a few years, to produce children to help the family survive.

   Back then… you followed in your father’s footsteps, providing for your new family in what limited ways were available.  Dreams of a bright future were not dreamt by most—you were too busy working until too exhausted to dream.

   Back then… you ate whatever foods were locally available.  Bread, potatoes, and whatever else grew out of the local ground—and what could be hunted or raised.

   Back then… life was far different than today.  Different, not necessary better or worse.  Every situation has its advantages and disadvantages. 

   O.K., enough walking down the paths of the past.  Are we all glad we are living in today’s world of convenience?  Thinking on the harshness of medieval life and the limited prospects, should cause us to thankfully, yet responsibly, reflect on modern opportunities. Responsibility—this is where the application might hurt a little bit.  Instead of focusing on marital, economic and culinary opportunities, let’s look at spiritual opportunities.

   We see far more than 100 people within our lifetime.  How? We live in the most mobile time in history.  Planes, trains, and automobiles are more than luxurious ways of traveling for vacations, or expedient methods of getting to work and to the grocery store—they can be used for the glory of God.  Living in such a mobile time highlights our opportunities and responsibilities.   What are we doing about it?

   Let’s go back to the original question—How many people do we know?  Also, How convenient is it to contact 100 people?

   Harold Dowdy kept a card file of a hundred names, all the time, of people that he was trying to teach the gospel to.  Some churches today are teaching several hundred people at a time through correspondence courses and home Bible studies.  Our church tries to reach hundreds, hopefully thousands, through our websites, justachristian.com magnetic bumper stickers, and hopefully one day a radio program, plus “evangelism events” including VBS (next year, Lord willing).

   Modes of transportation and “vehicles of communication” are abundant.  Surely no generation in history has been better able to easily expedite the Great Commission.  “All the world” and “every creature” (Mark 16:15) are part of our consciousness, and our experiences.  Therefore we have a greater responsibility.

   Whether we know one hundred people or thousands, technology, modern communications and transportation is worthless without a desire to teach them.  Are we using what advantages we have?

   And just like “back then” the best advertisement for the Lord is still “word of mouth,” and a “life well lived.”  And that doesn’t take great technology.  All of us can walk across the street or down the hall.

   Live life responsibly.  Make personal relations worth something.  If we significantly touch one hundred lives, we will have done an eternity of good—for them and for us.

   Let’s end with a question—How many people do we know who need Jesus?

Tags: Article, Church Growth, Evangelism

This entry was posted by PHall on Saturday, October 3rd, 2009 at 12:00 am and is filed under Mark. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.