April 25, 2025

Perhaps you’ve noticed something we’ve been saying around White Oak these past few months. You may have heard it said but it’s possible that it has been somewhat lost in the messaging. The irony is that this piece of our vision, mission, and messaging can’t get lost. It must stay at the forefront. It’s mission-critical! Jesus said so.

Last week we looked at the passage in Matthew 26 where Jesus elevates the woman who anointed him with her jar of perfume while he ate dinner. Remember what the disciples said in response to this extravagant act?

 8 When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. 9 “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.”

Jesus’s response…

 “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me…”

Was Jesus downplaying a disciple’s concern for the poor? Not at all. In fact, just a bit later, John captures this scene in his Gospel…

12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

After this scene Jesus prays for his disciples and all future apprentices. He will pray that we would be formed by the Spirit to live, embrace, and dwell in the same relationship and mission Jesus had with and from the Father.

We have defined formation like this: Being shaped into the image of Christ for the sake of others. It’s the “for the sake of others” that may get lost on us or catch us just a bit off guard. What is our formation into the image of Jesus without our focus upon others? To want to be formed into the image of Jesus without his compassion… without his mercy… without his humility… without his generosity… without his servant’s heart…? Is that even spiritual formation, or is it just religious aptitude?

Jesus forms us specifically to enjoy him and to become like him so that we can do the things he did. What did he do? He washed feet. He served. He prayed for others. He spent time with the poor and marginalized. He touched the untouchable. He loved the unlovable. He forgave the unforgivable. He hung out with the wretched. He embraced children and sick people. He tired himself out in service to others. He invited people to experience his love and grace.

At White Oak, we will not allow this to be lost on us. The mission of Jesus doesn’t allow room for it. This is why we will…

·       Engage in summer events for kids and families requiring many of us to serve and lead.

·       Worship and learn from God’s Word in ways that push us to invite and have conversations to encourage others toward faith in Jesus.

·       Ask each other to step out from what is comfortable into new places of generosity.

·       Discuss White Oak’s future in multi-site and how we’ll continue to reach more people in the places where God has put us.

We are a growing church! There are many at White Oak who should be leading and are not yet doing so… many who should be praying… many who should be encouraging kids and teens but who are afraid to do it… many who should be moving and not staying put… many who should be giving and yet are only taking… many who should be serving but who aren’t yet doing so… many who should be telling but who remain silent… many who should be stepping into ministry careers but push back the nudge to make the move. Don’t you see? We are being formed! I feel God forming me, forming us. I hear from many of you who are responding to God’s forming in your lives. We are being formed into the image of Christ for the sake of others because they, too, have the image of God imprinted on their hearts and you and I have been invited to help reveal it to them.

For their sakes,

Nathan

Nathan Hinkle

Lead Pastor

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