ORDINATION # 6 - I Had A Dream! (Joe Noland)

Last night I dreamt that Jesus changed his plans with another “coming” before the final one, in order to give us second chance at getting it right. The denomination he chose to identify with was a bit obscured in the dream, but it was definitely hierarchical in form with clearly defined ecclesiastically ordained levels of authority, identified by rank and position.

He started at the bottom, following protocol, purposefully working within the system, conforming where necessary and inching up through the layered chain of command, obtaining each coveted title along the way until at long last, in his waning days (3 years before retirement, no extensions), the crowning moment came: “Head Honcho,” be it Pope, General, Archbishop, General Superintendent, Whatever?

Upon reaching that long sought after, hard fought for position, He used this authority to begin leveling the playing field, thereby flattening the hierarchy (Priesthood of believers, et al), thus bringing a semblance of equality and oneness to the Body. His work completed, and while ascending the second time, he said, “You won’t know the time of my next coming, that’s the Father’s business. Be my witnesses in Honolulu, all over America, even to the ends of the world.” In that Spirit the Church began to multiply and prosper, comparably to the period following his first ascension.

Those who followed, several Head Honchos later, began to carefully restructure the hierarchy as it had once been. With ordination, increasing levels, titles and infrastructure there came, also comparably, an ever-decreasing number in followers.

At this point I woke up drenched in sweat, not a dream, a veritable nightmare! In those waking moments of reality, the thought came to me, Were he here, would Jesus even entertain the thought of ordination or taking on a title: General Jesus or Pope Jesus or Archbishop Jesus?

Kind of a scary thought, isn’t it?

Remember the time when James and John, jockeying for position, approached Jesus asking, “Arrange it so that we will be awarded the highest places of honor in your glory-one of us at your right, the other at your left?”

Jesus’ response in effect was, “Better think this through, boys. You have no idea what you’re asking.” When the other disciples heard this they lost their temper and became indignant, maybe even a teensy weensy bit jealous.

Then we hear Jesus’ great discourse about “rulers who lord it over them and high officials who exercise authority over them,” saying, “It’s not going to be that way with you. Whoever wants to be great must become a servant. Whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave” (Mark 35-45).

Easy for you to say, Commissioner! I hear you thinking. Hey, I was just as surprised as the rest of you, perhaps more so. And besides didn’t Jesus also say something about the first being last?

Now that’s really scary!

Writer: Commissioner Joe Noland’s ministry can be summed up in three words: chaos, creativity and controversy - three elements implicit in any successful innovative endeavor. Cecil B. DeMille, renowned producer of Biblical epics, once wrote, “Creativity is a drug I cannot live without.” Joe’s mantra reads, “Creativity is my drug of choice.”  Access Joe Noland’s complete bio, among other things, by clicking into his website.

3 Comments to ORDINATION # 6 - I Had A Dream! (Joe Noland)

1. Love this post Joe… fantastic
Adam Couchman on December 9th, 2009

2. Great post, Joe. I love the picture of Jesus in the General’s uniform - priceless.

   One look at that shows me just how ridiculous our status-seeking is.

   Juan
Juan on December 11th, 2009

3. I once started a short story about the year Jesus was a cadet…He was only accepted because of the lack of appropriate candidates that year as He did not meet the requirements and had habits that were somewhat eccentric and not well received by the staff of the CFOT (not to mention the long hair and beard).

   Love the picture of Jesus in uniform!

   Carol
Carol Psaute on January 10th, 2010

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