Jesus Made His Quota

Where to begin…

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Knowing where to begin this discussion is like picking the starting point of a circle.

When people read the headline it elicits one of a few internal responses:

  • Distaste/disgust. (From the pious accounting department)

  • Intrigue/curiosity. (From the scientific engineering department)

  • Approval. (From the left brain/rambunctious sales and marketing departments)

When people read the headline it elicits one of a few vocal responses:

  • "What are you saying? That Jesus was just stopping by while He was in the area and had to move a few units of salvation—and damnation—to make His Daddy happy before He got back to His golf game in heaven?"

  • "Can you elaborate? I know Jesus was both fully human as well as fully divine, and He was following His Father's will, so I'm sure they had a plan when Jesus came to us. Please continue…but tread carefully."

  • "THAT'S WHAT I'VE BEEN SAYING ALL ALONG! IT'S ALL SALES AND MARKETING! IT'S ABOUT TIME SOMEONE PUT THIS OUT THERE!"

But before I can address these responses, allow me a moment to establish a few key points that are fundamental to this discussion, like any good salesman, philosopher, attorney, or debate coach would. (By the way, we're all in sales, which I'll explain as you read on.)

  1. Begin with the end in mind.

  2. Meet them where they are.

  3. Before you can be different, you must be the same.

  4. We all need hierarchy and structure.

  5. We all need role models.

  6. God is love.

  7. Love is impossible without someone to love.

  8. The product of love is visible, i.e. Holy Spirit, children.

  9. Community has always existed.

  10. Therefore, the Holy Trinity has always been.

  11. We are made in God's image.

  12. God is love, community, and hierarchy.

You've heard it said,

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matt 18:20)

Similarly,

For where two or three are gathered for any reason, someone is selling the others on why they should do what he says."

Let's face it, what most assume to be "the oldest profession" is really the second-oldest profession, because even though she may have had a willing prospect, they still had to agree on the price and the services to be rendered.

"What in the heck, Wes?! Have you lost his mind? Do you think Jesus was some kind of peddler of lotions and potions, gloop and glop? A carpetbagger just going from town to town like a snake-oil salesman in the Wild West? And when He got a few to drink His Kool-Aid He was gone?"

Ahhh…Wow.

Ahhh…No.

Quota: A proportional share, as of goods, assigned to a group or to each member of a group; an allotment. (The Free Dictionary)

As the great marketer, David Ogilvy, said…

You can't save souls in an empty church."