A Tip From the Greatest Evangelist

Photo by Keira Burton

So who do you suppose was the greatest evangelist of all time? And what was their secret?

If we want to play a role in the Great Commission, don’t you think it would be good to know?

The first thing we need to determine is, what does “greatest” mean? Most converts? Most fame? Greatest name recognition? Or greatest lasting impact?

I’d say the last. And I’d say “Jesus.” He’s still what this is all about. After more than two thousand years, it’s the things He said and did that are still changing people’s lives.

I want to learn from Him.

Does it seem to you that Jesus stirred up more questions than He answered? And often, He’d answer one question with another?

When He sat before the crowds, He said strange things and then walked away. As He roamed the country with those who followed, He spoke in riddles that left them scratching their heads. And when He faced those who wanted to discredit Him, He asked questions rather than argue His case.

One thing I can’t find Him doing is trying to convince anyone of anything.

Jesus didn’t argue.

When the rich young ruler asked, “What must I do to be saved?” Jesus gave him a most discouraging answer. He had asked less of others (see Luke 8:3; John 7:50–52), but when this man found his cost too great, Jesus didn’t give him a better deal; He just watched him walk away.

When Pilate and Herod offered Jesus opportunities to engage, even if there was a chance for His release, Jesus refused. (See John 18:38; Luke 23:9.)

I hear there are brilliant students in seminary sparring over the smallest of points, yet their papers never make it out of academia.

One little word runs through my mind: “Why?”

I’m not down on intellectuals; despite the way I talk, I am one. And, in small doses, I do find Christian debate both informative and entertaining.

But I’ll bet the people I meet on the hiking trails don’t.

They enjoy speaking to someone who’s free of pretence, who expresses empathy when they are vulnerable, who laughs when they tell a joke. Who doesn’t argue if they share what they believe.

Yes, they might be looking for some understanding— but not the textbook kind. Not even if the textbook is leather-bound and bound to never fail.

Real evangelists are savvy enough to recognize that quoting a Bible verse won’t do magic; Jesus quoted Scripture only to those who knew the Tanakh by heart.

I know some stuff. I love to study. I am investigating some of the finer points of theology that most likely won’t make a bit of difference to someone whose life is in shambles.

And to be honest, I’ve been known to argue.

I’ve also intimidated people, and alienated people, and I haven’t introduced nearly enough people to Jesus.

But I’m learning.

If I want to argue Christian stuff, I’ll do it in my discipleship class.

I’ve been young, and now I am old, and one thing I’ve learned is that when it comes to drawing people to the truth of the Gospel — to the things that really matter, to the things that really last — the least effective thing I can do is argue.

If you’ve “won someone to Jesus” by your powers of persuasion, when they run into a cultist with a more convincing argument, they’re just as likely to go their way.

I don’t need practice in the art of arguing. For me, that comes easily enough. I need practice in keeping quiet, asking more questions, and imposing fewer answers. Stirring people’s hunger to know what I believe, not stuffing it down their throats. Sometimes, simply saying, “Nice to meet you,” and leaving as they shake their heads at the foolishness of the cross, drawn to Jesus anyway.

I want to be like the greatest evangelist of all time: none other than Jesus.

And Jesus didn’t argue.