Jesus: Company Policy

26th in a series on how men and women in the Bible

deal with waiting, disappointment and unemployment 

       Jesus: Company Policy

          Reflections on John 3:1-21

“Why is this sale item displayed like this,” asked the new sales associate, “I disagree with this merchandising practice.”  “Because this is what we were told by Corporate,” said the manager.  Is there a way to respectfully question company practices without being rude and impertinent?  And in the end what should the response of the newly hired sales associate be?  Compliance will guarantee future employment whereas ill-timed and rude questioning may result in termination or in the least, getting off on the wrong foot.

In this Scripture passage Nicodemus questioned Jesus either as one who is genuinely curious or as one who presumed to think that he could corner Jesus on an obscure Jewish text.  But Jesus preempted him and took him down what should have been a familiar road.  He reminded Nicodemus of God’s company policy.  Nicodemus was baffled because the Jews had deviated from the truth of God’s Law and created a works-oriented system in which compliance was impossible.  

Adherence to God’s Law was never intended to bring life but merely to point to the ONE who can give life.  The Apostle Paul lamented in the letter to the Romans how futile it is to depend upon the Law as a producer of righteousness and admits his struggle by concluding with Romans 7:24,25 “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!”

So, If Nicodemus was headed down one path and Jesus another, what does Jesus want him to understand about a biblical understanding of salvation.  In other words, what is heaven’s company policy?  Nicodemus was coming from the perspective that perfect adherence to the Law of Moses was required.  Although, he probably knew it was impossible, he hoped, as many people do today, that his good works would outweigh his bad and that God would look upon him with favor.  But there was no security, no assurance and certainly no peace with God.

Jesus turned things inside out and reminded Nicodemus of the essence of the Law: “you must be born again.”  i.e. you need to start over, you can’t bring anything with you, it’s as if you are entering this relationship like a baby with nothing.  The central point Jesus made was in verse 16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”  It is God who has done all the work.  All you need to do is believe.  But it’s clear that some will be in and some will be left out.  A policy that is unpopular among many today.

But there were some that understood this policy.  A story is told that when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.”Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?”The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.  For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.

What did the Centurion believe?  That Jesus had the power to do anything.  Is faith that simple?  Is  Heaven’s company policy that clearcut?  Let’s follow his example by doing three things: Have a humble approach to Jesus, recognize His authority and submit to His approach to life.

To follow Christ is not simply to have a religious aspect to my life but it infects every nook and cranny so that a disciple of Christ makes the best friend, spouse, and certainly employee or boss.  One who knows Jesus’ company policy has an understanding of submission, compliance, patience and authority that applies to every area of our existence.  

Applicable Principles:

1. Submission to company policy has its root in biblical principles.  We’re able to obey in our present circumstances because we have a biblical and global perspective.
2. Heaven’s company policy has direct application to living in today’s world.  How we view God, life and work makes the follower of Christ the best employee.
3. Ask questions, question authority with respect, but be ready to submit as a sign of maturity and faith.
4. We are all under authority.  Practice submission with respect in cooperation with those under, equal to and over you for the greater good.
5. Consider, like Nicodemus, that your world view is skewed.  If you are having problems with human relationships, then it may be that your understanding of Heaven’s company policy needs realignment.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”

Colossians 3:23