My old boss Rick Williams used to tell us “unless you are the lead dog, the
view never changes,” hoping to encourage and motivate us to greater things. He
didn’t take into account that to lead it takes followers, and when he was fired
his view changed drastically. Ours didn’t. So much for the lead dog theory.
On our recent 10 day, 2500 mile ride on our new/old Tiger 1050, we rode through
Northern California, beautiful, and into Oregon and Nevada. Theresa took over
2000+ pictures, many from the back, and when looking at them, she saw a
different ride than I did at times. While I was looking at the road, she was
looking at the countryside, everywhere else, and although she sat behind me, her
view changed while mine didn’t. Again debunking the lead dog theory, but
proving again the best place to sit is behind bars, handlebars that is.
On one trip with Andrew we rode on the Cannonball Express of Petticoat
Junction fame. We sat in the first seat in the first car behind the coal car,
seeing all the activity going on in the engine, and smelling the burning coal
while having our faces covered in soot. Noisy and busy, we loved it, until when
the ride ended, or changed direction to come back. We stayed stationary while
the engine via a siding switched ends of the train. We were now last, and all
the action was far in front of us. And sitting in the same seats, the seatbacks
changed position, we rode back looking ahead still, but our view changed
drastically. How many can remember fighting over the last seat in our parent’s
station wagon? Far from parents, we could barely hear the radio above the 360
degree air conditioning-all windows open, and were in our own little world.
Then Chrysler changed all that providing a seat facing rearward. Suddenly we
were seeing where we had been while we were going. How many drivers in back of
us were intimidated by us staring ahead at them, or was that behind? Then Ford
introduced the Magic Tailgate, that opened both ways, and introduced seating for
4, facing each other. We were now faced with looking out to the sides, neither
ahead or behind. Does the sound of “Mom he’s touching me” mean anything to
you? Are we there yet?
Another seating position I don’t get is couples sitting next to each other
on the same side while eating. Like riding in the car, they don’t face each
other. I like to see who I am eating with, and talk to them, across the table,
not beside them. And how many have fallen prey to texting and emailing at the
table. A restaurant we heard of provides a basket to place all cell phones
while eating, forcing those who eat there to talk to each other. We call it
conversation, you might want to try it sometime. Face to face, not screen to
screen. So maybe the lead dog theory is exposed by what it really is, just a
theory. And another reason why we ride, because the view is always
changing.
A pastor once explained that he chose to sit while preaching, because
Jewish tradition had it that if you stood, you claimed to be all knowing, and he
wasn’t. Really he was vastly overweight, but at least he knew that. Jewish
tradition also tells us that priests were never to be seen sitting, as there
work was never done, and sitting gave evidence that it was. Something to
consider if going into ministry, you never retire, and the work never ends.
Which incensed the Pharisees when they heard that Jesus would be found sitting
in heaven, and at the right hand of God. As a high priest, his duties were
never completed, much to their chagrin, maybe giving new insight to when Jesus
said “it is finished” on the cross. Because today he sits at the right hand of
God in heaven. Which means God the Father is sitting to his left, having the
place of honor and respect. Sitting. And in contrast we find at the Last
Supper, where they didn’t sit at a table, but around a short table at knee
level, reclining to the left, so their right hand could be used to eat with. No
southpaw eaters here, yet we find that Judas is sitting to his left, Judas
sitting at the left hand of God, a traitor. While John and Peter are at his
right, not sure about the other disciples eating positions. Judas who would
sell out Jesus for 30 pieces of silver, was given the seat of sitting at the
right hand of God. Sitting. Jesus loved him that much he wanted to give him a
great place to be lifted up, so he could honor him, yet Judas missed that. All
at once Jesus was giving honor, or love to a sinner, on one hand, while giving
honor to Peter and John at his right hand, they were giving Jesus the rightful
place of honor in their lives. In all things he showed love, and showed us
honor and respect. Do we today? When we come to Christ, he offers us the best
seat in the house, heaven. With him. Yet we argue, doubt, or pass up on eating
with him, or spending eternity with him. Jesus looked past the sin of Judas and
saw a sinner, just like he sees us today. And he invites us to sit and eat with
him, on earth as it will be in heaven. And when we sit on his right side, we
honor his deity by his sitting to our left. Maybe seating arrangements do mean
something after all....
Now scripture doesn’t tell us if Jesus requested him to sit there, or if
Judas took it upon himself to grab the seat of honor. But we know today Jesus
offers us the seat of salvation, the best place we will ever sit, and it is
offered to all. Sinners and those who deny Jesus. All of us at one time. And
when we give Jesus his proper place of honor, we are giving him all the glory,
and he gives us all the blessings. And not a cell phone in sight. And given
his lead dog status, when we follow him our views, and viewpoints change, his
stay the same. Sorry Rick...now about that lead dog stuff.
Finally Jewish men each day would thank God for three things. One they
weren’t born a Gentile, whom they believed were made to keep the fires of hell
hot. Second a woman, who were not much better, only in Christ are we all equal,
and thirdly that they weren’t dogs. The worst of all...dogs. No matter lead
dog or not, no one wanted to be a dog. Those eating the scraps from the table.
But we all need a savior, and he wants us to follow him. So our view changes as
he changes us, as we rightly give him the place of honor in our lives, and where
we sit reflects how we live, and how much Christ is in us. Reclining, or
resting in Christ, eating or taking in all the good things he provides with the
other. Which may explain why we have the throttle in our right hand,
experiencing all the good things of riding, leaning on Jesus in the curves.
And why we don’t sit next to each other on a motorcycle, but behind one
another, because we are both equal. Different in cars...remember that the next
time your passenger is giving directions. And they are not giving you honor.
We don’t have that problem on motorcycles. But in all things give Jesus the
preeminence. Sitting, standing, leading or following, put him first. Lean on
him, and follow him. Don’t be like the kids looking out at what they just
passed in the Ford, see what is ahead with Jesus. No matter catching cinders or
soot, or sitting in silence, Jesus is not the little engine that could, he was
the engine who did. Something to remember and consider on your next ride. All
roads lead somewhere, only one leads to heaven. Be on that road and enjoy the
ride, seeing things through God’s eyes. As for me, I’m glad I was invited and
took the offer he provided. Sitting at the table sure beats the crumbs dropped
to the dogs. And you can sit and not know it all...offer extended, will you
join us for lunch? There is always room at Jesus’ table....
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com