Ernest Shackleton’s Appeal for Followers

24Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. 25"For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it (Matthew 16:24-25).

In the late 1800s, the renowned British explorer Ernest Shackleton prepared to embark on an expedition to the South Pole. He placed an ad in the London Times: "Men wanted for a hazardous journey to the South Pole. Small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger. Safe return doubtful. Honor and recognition in case of success.” How many people do you think responded to the ad? (The answer is found by scrolling down to the end of two paragraphs.)

Pastors of the Western church of Jesus Christ want to make it easier for people to follow Christ. We're concerned that the radical message of the pure gospel and Christ's call to commitment might deter some individuals. We place coffee cup holders at the back of the seats and brew only premium coffee. We warm the room but keep it cool enough to prevent anyone from becoming too drowsy. The music must be just right, with perfect sound reproduction. The children's classrooms should have an adequate supply of toys, with no signs of stains or blemishes. Our Western culture has seeped into our church culture. Consequently, we have developed a marketing mentality. People in the West are accustomed to this.

Such marketing strategies do not constrain the churches in Asia; they have grown strong through a deep commitment to the cause of Christ. When we think of Shackleton's advertisement, why would this attract anyone? In calling for a commitment, Earnest Shackleton told them it would not be easy, and only those ready to give up their lives for the cause should apply. He wrote, "Safe return doubtful." This exploration would be a journey of great hardship, with a small wage, bitter cold, and long months of darkness. What could motivate anyone, we might wonder, to want to join Shackleton? Reflecting on it later, he noted that the response to his appeal was so overwhelming that it felt as though all the men of Great Britain were eager to accompany him. In fact, Shackleton had over 5000 replies to his ad.[1]

Why do you think 5000 men responded to such an advertisement? People today are seeking to dedicate themselves to something that will endure beyond their own lifetime. Men seek a challenge. Even though there was a risk of death, the response was overwhelming and surprising. However, out of those 5,000 people, Shackleton chose only 27 for the trip. Advertisements for young men to join the American Marines tap into this desire for challenge, commitment, hardship, honor, and recognition. If we could have questioned the 5000 responders about their reasons for wanting to go, the main motive would have aligned with that of those who joined the Marines: the challenge, glory, hardship, and the desire to be part of something that would make a difference. The most inspiring thing you can ever say to someone is that they have made a difference through their actions. Many recognize that the future does not look bright for anyone who observes the current state of the world. It will become increasingly dangerous to be a Christian as we approach the end times, even here in America. There will be growing pressure to compromise your faith and your values.

Without a deep commitment to the cause of Christ and intimate love for King Jesus, we can fall away from the centrality of Christ and obedience to His Word. We are called to believe and be disciples, disciplined ones. Let me ask you this question: if it were illegal to be a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you? Your answer to that question may indicate whether you are a nominal believer or a disciple. I pray that these words today may find an opening in hearts to desire to be disciples rather than half-hearted people who will fall away at the slightest challenge to your faith. Keith Thomas

Read more on this study by clicking the following link: Answering the Call to Discipleship

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[1]Quit You Like Men, Carl Hopkins Elmore (New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1944).