Jesus and Faith

It is really quite amazing that anybody believes that Jesus was the Messiah, that he was resurrected form the dead, and that he will return someday to rule the world. Considering how difficult it was for the first Eleven disciples to believe Jesus, how much more difficult for us today? Jesus himself shows up to the disciples with holes in his wrists and feet, he talks like Jesus, looks like Jesus, moves like Jesus - and they still think he is a ghost. Even though he told them - and at this point there are eyewitness accounts by others... - that he would return to them - they doubt.

While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you."
They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost.

He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have."
When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet.

And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, "Do you have anything here to eat?"
They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence.

He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms." Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.
Luke 24v36-45 [TNIV]

Maybe we Christians should go easy on people who don't believe Jesus. Maybe we shouldn't take for granted our own faith. Maybe we should attribute our experience of faith to the category of miracle. And maybe we shouldn't be so hard on ourselves when we lack a stronger faith. Maybe it's no wonder Jesus was hoping for at least mustard-seed sized faith from his followers. Or the man who told Jesus he believed, but then cried out for help with his unbelief. Maybe to believe in Jesus we need Jesus himself to show up.

Jesus' strategy is interesting, upon his departure he promises that the Father will send the Spirit to become at home in each disciple. Follow the reasoning here: if the Same Spirit that was in Jesus is now in some disciples, and if it is this Spirit that helps people believe and serve and love and endure and rescue and heal and feed and clothe and celebrate and share... and if it is this Spirit that made Jesus capable of accomplishing what he did, and if that Same Spirit is in us... then Jesus is among us. It's a miracle that anybody believes Jesus, but Jesus is everywhere these days, and he's opening hearts and eyes in every city, in every country, in every continent.

Maybe it's not helpful to focus on all the people who don't have faith in Jesus. Maybe it's more helpful to notice everyone who does have faith. Maybe we'll be surprised at who does believe. Maybe we'll be surprised at how a "little" faith goes a long ways. Maybe in our work to see Jesus in the world, to see and partner with those who do believe, we'll let Jesus plant more seeds of faith in the least expected places.

Nobody expected the Jewish Messiah to come from Nazareth. Nobody expected the Galilean fisherman Peter to lead a movement. Nobody expected Jesus to be popular with corrupt tax agents and starving prostitutes. And so maybe nobody should be surprised that they have their doubts about Jesus - he doesn't seemed to be deterred by our expectations or assumptions. He just goes about doing his rescue work through the most unlikely of people in the most unlikely of places. Maybe he might just continue his work through you!

Jesus, Death, and Trust

In the last couple weeks I've heard repeatedly that the two number one fears of most people is: dying and public speaking. I'm obviously not afraid of public speaking, but I suppose if I'm honest, I am afraid of dying. Not of dying right now, but I am afraid I'll die before I want to...

Interestingly Jesus does some public speaking while he is dying. Apparently he isn't afraid of either. Rather than taking the lazy way of saying, "Well, he's God!", it's worth poking around a bit as to where he got his courage. Here's the text:

It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining.
And the curtain of the temple was torn in two.
Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit."
When he had said this, he breathed his last.
The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, "Surely this was a righteous man."
When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away.
But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.
Luke 23v44-49 [TNIV]

There are quite a few interesting nuggets in this short text, but I'll focus on just one. Note the phrase that Luke records Jesus calling out in a loud voice - it's a quote from Psalm 31. Here's where it gets more interesting - it's common for writers to reference once verse from a section of Scripture as a way to reference the whole section. They intend for the reader to interpret the verse not only by the context he used it, but also from the context he pulled it. If we take the time to read all of Psalm 31 as a way to better understand what Luke means by the one verse (v5), it will help us better understand what he wants us to understand about what Jesus is calling out in a loud voice.

Before Jesus takes his last agonizing breath (that's the only kind you can take while nailed on a Roman cross), he calls out for many to hear: Father, into your hands I commit my spirit. Now, within the the story that Luke tells, one could draw a couple of conclusions about what Jesus means. First, Jesus is committing his Spirit to his Father - which implies that they are together in this event (as opposed to being against each other). Second, Jesus' death wasn't without spiritual significance to himself - as opposed to the pure hopelessness and rage of most crucified criminals. Third, Jesus isn't cursing anybody at the end of a long and torturous road, he's ready for what is next. Maybe you can pull some other conclusions from this verse on Jesus' lips.

Now, read through Psalm 31, knowing that Luke records Jesus shouting out verse 5; read the verse and the Psalm in the light of Jesus' death on the cross.

What do you think is racing through Jesus' mind as he hangs there by the crude spikes through his wrist? He's working his heart and lips through the Psalms. We know that earlier he was probably mouthing his way through Psalm 22. Not only is Jesus trying to keep his wits about him, but he's also reminding himself of why he is having to go through all of this, he's reminding himself of what God his Father is going to accomplish through all this, he's reminding himself of how his Father is going to see him through all of this to the other side.

What runs through your head and heart when the times are very difficult, marked by anguish and uncertainty, anxiety and fear? Rage? Emptiness? Calculations for greater control or revenge? Withdrawal? What if, in the midst of the angst of life you staked out a position where you trusted God to redeem you and the situation? What if that which caused dread could be the very thing that prompted trust? What if those things that could fuel despair and giving up could also be triggers for perseverance and love? That's what Jesus was singing to himself in the many hours he was stuck to the cross, and it's what he shouted out when he could muster up the strength.

What about you - what will you do when something in you dies? Lay down and give up or commit your spirit, your life (that which you have left to give away...) to the Merciful LORD, our Faithful God?

In you, LORD, I have taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame;
deliver me in your righteousness.
Turn your ear to me,
come quickly to my rescue;
be my rock of refuge,
a strong fortress to save me.

Since you are my rock and my fortress,
for the sake of your name lead and guide me.

Keep me free from the trap that is set for me,
for you are my refuge.

Into your hands I commit my spirit;
redeem me, LORD, my faithful God.