as instructed

One difference between American soldiers and soldiers of almost any other nation is that American GIs always want to know why they have to do something. Most soldiers just follow orders. I think American soldiers are better in some ways because they want to know why; they’ll put themselves on the line for something of value, but not for something questionable.

But sometimes it’s hard to make them understand. And sometimes, honestly, they will be spent in the name of something greater, in the fashion of the 300 Greeks at Thermopylae. It’s hard to get them to see that. So sometimes the problem with American soldiers is they don’t want to do what you need them to do.

I think we make Jesus feel that way. I think that because I wonder if we’re as unquestioning as Jesus’ disciple were.

Here’s an example, from Matthew 21:1-6: “As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, ‘Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away. . . .’

“The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them.”

So if my boss said, “Go tell that guy I’m gonna take his car,” I’d probably say, “Why? That doesn’t sound like a good idea to me. He’ll probably say no; he might even punch me in the nose.” My boss would have to have a pretty good reason.

If Jesus said, “Go tell that guy I need his car,” would my response be much different? I’d like to say yes, but probably not. But the problem is, I probably won’t ever completely understand why Jesus wants me to do something. It’s even easier to second-guess Jesus because he seldom speaks directly.

The standard in the Marines is immediate cheerful obedience. No hesitation, no matter how hard it looks. Much as I hate to give up anything in the Army-Marine rivalry, this morning I wonder if Jesus doesn’t want me to be a little more like a Marine.