Cluck, cluck

Question: Does Jesus cluck his tongue and shake his head in dismay and disapproval when we seek him out to ask for a miracle? No, seriously... Does he?? Does he breathe a deep sigh of disappointment?

How does our 'precept,' our preconceived concept, our subconscious response, affect the way that we read and interpret scripture?

Recently, a group of my friends were looking at John 4 in the Bible. As a precursor to discussion, we viewed a clip in one of the "Gospel According to John" movies.

The story goes like this. Jesus had been travelling, town to town, with his disciples. He had been teaching, and he had been doing miracles. He had been 'being' Jesus. Everywhere you read about Jesus, he was teaching, and doing miracles. As a result of this, crowds were beginning to form when he was nearby. Word spread when he was on the way somewhere. We begin John 4 with Jesus on the move. As per usual, news preceded him, and a wealthy man heard he was on his way. This wealthy man, so happened to have a son that was near death from a fever. He had heard enough times that Jesus was a healer, so he went to meet Jesus on the road. We read later in the story, that it was more than a day's journey to meet up with him. He sought Jesus out specifically for a miracle. He made a very specific request that Jesus come with him to his home and heal his son.

Now here's where precepts come into play. Reading only this far, I would say that this man showed faith. He BELIEVED that Jesus was a healer. He BELIEVED that Jesus healed everyone that came to him. I am not saying that he had no doubt at all, but, if he had no faith at all, he would not have left his dying son's side. He would not have sought Jesus out. He had enough faith to 'risk' leaving his son to go find Jesus. His faith led to action. I would say that he had an accurate understanding (though not necessarily complete) of who Jesus was and what he was about. I would admire him, and love Jesus.

But, the next line of the story puzzles me. Jesus hears him out and then says "Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders you will never believe."

Sometimes I wish the Bible was written out more like a screenplay, where it described the expression on Jesus face when he said something, the tone of his voice, the posture, but it leaves much to the imagination. The actor, playing the role of Jesus, had a screenplay, where the writers told him that Jesus should 'tsk' and shake his head in dismay. He should breathe a deep sigh of disappointment before uttering these words. The statement is interpreted by the movie makers as a chastisement. Question is: Is that really the expression, the tone, the inflection Jesus used? Could there be another way to see this?

Eugene Peterson, in his book called 'the Message' also interprets it this way. In fact he takes it up a notch from there. NIV says 'you will never believe,' Eugene says 'you refuse to believe'. These are not parallel statements. The verse just previous to that is also interpreted in a harsh, tongue clucking way, while the NIV simply says that the people welcomed him because of the things they had seen in Jerusalem. What precept are Eugene and the writers of the screenplay using? Seemingly, the same precept that our discussion leader has.

This really upset me. I mean, really upset me! It made me angry! I am generally one who is slow to anger, but, I could hardly remain in my seat! I did so only because I wanted the discussion to play itself out, to see if it took a different turn, another approach eventually... but it never did. Days later I'm still angry.

I DO NOT SEE JESUS AS ONE WHO CLUCKS HIS TONGUE AND SHAKES HIS HEAD IN DISMAY! Why on earth would I be in love with a man who clucked his tongue, shook his head in dismay, sighed deep breaths of disappointment, and chastised me, when, with my daughter at deaths door, I reached out to him to save her?? IF this really IS how he responds, then I'm in trouble. I cannot understand this thinking! IF this really IS how he feels about us reaching out to him in a desperate time to do what we've seen him do countless times, with countless people, then WHY ON EARTH would he reward my despicable behaviour by healing my child?? For that is exactly what he did! He healed the child! OF COURSE HE DID! He healed EVERYONE that came to him!! This bit of good news was all but put aside! This is a story of TRIUMPH! Of HALLELUJAH's!! Of EVANGELISM! And he and ALL HIS family BELIEVED!! AMEN!!

But... alas... because of a precept, commonly held, this was not a story of triumph, but rather of shame, of a clucking tongue, a dismayed shaking of the head, a deep sigh of disappointment. I should be ashamed of asking... I should avoid asking... I should desire to see the big picture... the blessing in the suffering... I should bow my head, I should not come boldly, I should accept sickness, I should 'resign' myself to the 'will' of God. I should lower my expectations. My God is not a genie in a bottle, what was I thinking? Who do I think I am? I should have stayed home! A truly mature believer would never....

Now, I know that anger is not an appropriate response. I am struggling to come up with a better way to feel about this. In this moment I firmly believe that the screenplay writers, Eugene, and our group discussion leader, have misrepresented the true heart and nature of my God and Saviour Jesus Christ. Jesus came to earth to EXACTLY represent and demonstrate the heart of God. He did that by preaching AND by healing. He healed all the time. More times than could be documented should the whole sky be a scroll, and the ocean full of ink. God's heart IS to heal! God's heart IS for us to seek him out! God's heart IS for us to come boldly to his throne of grace! God's heart IS to respond to our faith! God's heart IS to PROVE himself faithful! God's heart is for us to LIVE and to live more abundantly!

a signature piece....

"Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him,"

When we were looking at the previous story, a friend quoted the above verse from Acts 2:22, saying that the miracles, and wonders were like Jesus' signature. They were a means of recognition, that we would know it was Jesus, and that God was with him, when we saw his signature, his 'signs.'

My mind immediately jumped to another passage in Mark 16:17. "...and these 'signs' will accompany those who believe: In my name they will....drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well." These are Jesus words! After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and "the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it!"

I'm not sure if my friends mind jumped there, but mine sure did... Makes me say hmmm.....

Save the best for the last!

A group of my friends and I were looking at the water into wine story in John 2 of the Bible recently, with the purpose of discovering, or rediscovering, what this event in history reveals about the person, the character, the nature of Jesus Christ. A few things stood out to me, once again pointing out to me the humility, the generosity, and the abundance of grace encompassed in the person of Jesus.

Jesus, his family, and many of his friends were guests at a wedding. They were enjoying the wedding feast when Jesus' mother became aware that the hosts had run out of wine. I don't know if you've ever hosted a big event, but, running out of stuff is really stressful! Mary was concerned for her hosts and, knowing Jesus had the ability to 'fix' things in ways that no one else could, asked him to please 'fix' this! He kind of scolds her for involving him in this, but she turns to the servants and says 'Do whatever he tells you' and leaves it at that. She seems confident that he will do something, despite his seeming reluctance, and she's right.

He sneaks off behind the scenes, where the servants are. He has them fill some jars with water, then tells them to pour out a glass and take it to the 'master of the banquet.' In the act of pouring, the water becomes wine. Not just any wine, but REALLY good wine! And, have you ever done the math on this? He made between two and three thousand cups of wine! Six jars times 20 (or 30) gallons times 16 cups in a gallon.... that's a lot of wine! He doesn't really do things half way, does he?

The 'master of the banquet' gets a taste of this amazing wine and is astounded.... Why would the groom save the best wine for the last? It was normal to put the best wine out first, and then, after there was a little buzz going, bring out the cheap stuff... The 'master of the banquet' didn't know Jesus was behind this. This is one of the things I noticed.... Only those who ALREADY had their eyes on Jesus knew that he had done this miracle. The 'master of the banquet' didn't know, most of the guests didn't know, the groom didn't know... That's interesting isn't it? Humble...

The 'master of the banquet' was so intrigued by this that he made a big show of it, to show the great generosity and moral character of the groom! He made no mention of Jesus. All credit went to the groom! And, I assume, the groom took the credit! He certainly didn't make a big scene about 'how did this happen??' 'It wasn't me....?' And, this is the second thing I noticed: Jesus let everyone thank the groom! Jesus flew under the radar. He didn't grandstand. He didn't MAKE SURE everyone knew who to thank. He didn't sulk or feel slighted, or wounded, or hurt, or angry, or jealous that someone else got the credit. He just went on with his day. Not seeking praise, or recognition, or a pat on the back...

The third thing: It didn't matter if you knew him or didn't, saw the miracle or didn't, thanked him or didn't, everybody got a really good glass of wine! Generous... Not leaving anyone out...

Is there a parallel here? Whether we know him or not, see the miracle or not, thank him or not, he poured out his blood.... Grace...

Tension

In order to make a guitar sound good, the guitar strings must be tied on at both ends. A string that is only tied on at one end does not make music. In fact, it is tied firmly at both ends. It is important that it be firm at both ends. It doesn't matter how firm it is on one end, if the other end is loose it will not make a sound. Further, if a D string is meant to make a D sound, there is a precise measurement of exactly how tight it needs to be at both ends. Great care is taken to ensure the tension is correct. This precise tension is not optional, it is a requirement. No musician would argue this. If one musician said the string was tied on at this end, and another musician said the string was tied at the other end, they would not be in contradiction. They would be in agreement. The string is tied on at both ends, and that is good. The tension creates beauty.

Have you noticed, there is a great deal of tension in the Bible? I have heard it referred to as contradiction, but that is not the case. It is tension, required tension, for the purpose of making beautiful music. I'm so excited that I have discovered this! It is such a beautiful thing!

At the base of the guitar is a 'bridge.' This bridge is a fixed point at which the guitar strings are initially, firmly attached. On the other end is the headstock, where the strings are at first, loosely attached, then pulled to the correct tension. There is a fixed, and a variable. I wonder if it would be correct to think that the 'bridge' would be the Truth, the whole Truth, and nothing but the Truth. The constant. The security. The finished work. The things that are immovable.

The headstock would the variable, the part that needs to be tweaked, tuned, refined. The part that determines whether the music is beautiful, or just a hair off of tune...

In order to make beautiful music, both ends need to be tied on. It is God's will that none should perish, that all should come to know him, yet, only those who call on his name will be saved. Can't do without either one. Did he find me, or did I find him? Is it all predetermined, or do I have free will? The answer is yes, to both questions, and there is tension, beautiful tension. Does God love me? Yes! Do I need to be saved from his wrath? Yes! Tension... He loved me SO MUCH that he sent his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should NOT perish, but have everlasting life! Beautiful tension! Has he made incredible promises? Yes! Do I need faith to receive these promises? Yes! Has he given us everything we need for life and godliness? Yes! Through.... my knowledge of him who called me... Just tied on at one end...? No music... Tied on tight at both ends? Beautiful! Has the battle been won? Yes! Do I need to 'put on armour?' Yes! Do I have the 'mind of Christ?' Yes! Do I have to renew my mind? Take captive every thought to make it obedient? Yes!! Have I been sealed with the Spirit, a deposit guaranteeing my inheritance? Yes!! Do I need to 'live by' the Spirit? Fan into flame the gifts of the Spirit? Be filled with the Spirit? Keep in step with the Spirit? Be baptised in the Spirit? Be careful not to grieve the Spirit? Be careful not to quench the Spirit? Yes!! Tension! Tuning! Tweaking! Refining! Can't let go of either end! Must take great care to ensure the tension is correct! Beautiful music! FRUIT!! Life comes and rubs on the strings and there is beauty! There is harmony!

Can we learn to embrace this tension? To love it? To nurture it, rather than resist it?

You may have noticed that a guitar has more than one string. A skilled musician can make beautiful music with only one string, but he can make more beautiful music when all the strings are in tune. I may have Life with the one string, but I can have Life, and have it more abundantly when all the strings are in tune! I have often said that God is like a many faceted diamond, each facet as beautiful as the next. Can I also say that God is like a many stringed instrument? Having one string in tune is good, but having all the strings in tune is better?! Psalm 103 says to 'forget not ALL his benefits'. David knows there were multiple things accomplished by God on our behalf, multiple strings attached to the 'bridge.' He is reminding himself to see them all, to use them all! God is not a one stringed banjo! Praise the Lord, O my Soul!! Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ!

PS: I wonder if, when I find myself saying that I am hungry, or that I am longing for 'more', if what I'm really saying is that I'm a bit out of tune, the tension isn't right and I need a little help...

Just to be clear...

I struggled with the last post, wondering whether to include the 6^th paragraph. I nearly went back after posting to delete it, particularly the line "I have sensed that there are those who feel that we don't need the 'power' of the Spirit, as long as we have good theology, good seed." The thing is that I don't know anyone that would actually say this, but I sense it just the same. I think it's a matter of definition, of preconceived ideas, of assumptions. I have yet to speak to anyone about the 'power' of the Spirit, that doesn't have his/her own idea of what they think I am talking about. Some people seem to understand and we talk easily. With others I am left puzzled, sometimes grieved at what they think I mean. I seem to be unable to communicate, to these, what I actually mean. I find myself trying to retract what I said in order to back up from what they think I mean. Can't say that I blame them for not understanding, as, I find myself unable to describe it to my own satisfaction, let alone anyone else's. A friend of mine often says, "I know what I'm saying, but I don't know what you're hearing." In this case, I'm not entirely sure that I even know what I'm saying...

potential

A week ago Saturday I planted some seeds. I have hope for the future. While there is still snow on the ground, and icy winds blowing, I have faith that one day there will be an abundance of sunshine and warmth and hopefully rain! There will be growth, maturity, & beauty!

A week ago Sunday there was life! Tiny, tiny leaves pushing through the soil! I was amazed! OVERNIGHT! These crazy little seeds had been laying in a paper bag on a shelf for months, maybe even years. Many of them could easily have been mistaken for dust and tossed aside without any thought to the life they contained, to their immense potential! How does this happen? What changed? The seed, containing the life was met by, well, actually, immersed in water. That made all the difference! All the amazing potential of the seed lay dormant until empowered by the water!

The tiniest seed can contain the biggest tree, and yet, it can lay quiet, dormant for months... even years. It can be collected, carefully preserved, organized into categories, parcelled out, packaged up pretty, shared with a friend, or even sold.

The Word of God has been referred to as a seed. In it lies life! Enormous potential, promise, and hope! And yet, don't we find, we can collect it, preserve it, organize it into categories, parcel it out, package it up pretty, share it with a friend, even sometimes, sell it, and still see very little fruit? Or maybe, no fruit?

The Spirit of God has been referred to as a river... as water. Could it be that all the amazing potential of the Word lies dormant until it is met by, or rather, immersed in the Spirit?

Do we stockpile the Word and wonder why there's no life? No fruit? No beauty? Do we view the Spirit as a mystical force with no real purpose, or do we see him as the water of life that unlocks the potential of the seed? Do we see Him as 'optional'? For that matter, do we see either one as optional? As long as we have one... we're good? I have sensed that there are those who feel that we don't need the 'power' of the Spirit, as long as we have good theology, good seed. Is it any good to have one without the other? Do we have the Word... in dry paper bags?

There is one good thing about stockpiling! There is enormous potential!! If the water ever gets to it... there will be a big crop! Maybe... overnight!

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses..."

subtleties

There's a song we sing in church that has me thinking. One of the lines in the song: "Spread wide in the arms of Christ, is the love that covered sin." At first glance it seems good, but, our language is a subtle thing. Words are meant to convey things. Very sublte differences can change the meanings profoundly. Even a simple spelling mistake can entirely change the message being sent. What is the message sent in this one line of this one song? If someone who never knew anything at all about Christianity heard this one line, what would they learn? I think they would learn that love covered sin. So the question is: Did 'love' 'cover' sin? If 'love' 'covered' sin, then Jesus didn't need to die. God IS love! He loves each one of us perfectly, extravagently, abundantly! And yet..., Jesus did have to die..., because....

'Love' does not 'cover' sin. Blood does. The blood of a perfect sacrifice. The blood of Jesus.

I still like the song, but.... Poetically, it's beautiful. The message that Christ loves us, also beautiful. I've tried to poetically 'fix' it... but... "Dripping down the arms of Christ, is the blood that covers sin"... not quite as poetic, not quite a beautiful. But then, death is not beautiful. Blood is not beautiful.

If I was a commenter....

I read the following article a few days ago. It made me so sad. These articles always allow for comments from the readers. I'm not sure if the readers comments will come through on this link (because I am new to linking!), but the comments made me even sadder than the article. There is such a sense of hopelessness in them. A desparate plea for the government to 'keep our loved ones alive' no matter the cost.

CBC News - Health - Ont. cancer drug plan almost cruel: watchdog

If I was a commenter on the CBC webnews, I would have said this: "Remember, a long time ago, this guy named Jesus?.... I wonder where is he today?" He healed everyone that came to him.

We desparately need to know "the hope to which he has called us, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparbably great power for us who believe."

We desparately need to start showing the world a better hope!

Where is He today? He's in me....