What do you do when the truth isn’t credible?

The birth of Jesus recorded in Luke revealed a dilemma for Mary and Joseph; who is Jesus, Mary’s baby? The truth was that Mary had become pregnant, not by Joseph, but by the power of the Holy Spirit. In their world, as today, this is not a credible explanation. This reality left Mary and Joseph with a dilemma, do they insist on the truth and be considered demented laughing stocks or do they let people believe the logical conclusion, that Joseph was the father of Jesus? The rest of Luke’s gospel indicates that the latter was the approach they followed. Luke later mentions that Jesus was “thought to be Joseph’s son.” Twelve years later at the temple, Mary chastised Jesus for staying at the temple telling him that she and his father, meaning Joseph, had been worried about him. Jesus on the other hand took a different approach. His response here and later was to affirm that God was his father. He told Mary that she should have known that he had to be in his Father’s house, not Joseph’s house, but God’s, the temple. Luke comments that Mary and Joseph did not understand what Jesus had said to them. His comment is thought provoking. Both Mary and Joseph had received an explanation from the angel Gabriel on who Jesus was. Both Mary and Joseph knew that Joseph was not Jesus’ father, so the question remains, why didn’t they understand Jesus’ words that he had to be about his Father’s business? If it was difficult for Mary and Joseph to comprehend what Jesus had said, imagine how difficult it would have been for others to do so.

Nevertheless, while the truth, for many people was impossible to believe, John would reveal later that Jesus’ affirmation that God was his father was one of the reasons that the religious leaders plotted to kill him. Others would consider him out of his mind, even some family members came at one point to take him away, because they thought he had lost his mind. In other words, Jesus would eventually die because he refused to deny the truth of his identity. Mary’s practice of presenting Jesus as Joseph’s son could have caused her to forget who Jesus really was and possibly created an obstacle for her other children who Scripture tells us didn’t believe in Jesus during his lifetime, although later two of them, Jude and James, would later become leaders in the church.

Mary’s example while logical, is in contrast to the way Jesus lived. Both of them cause us to reflect on how we will live. When we choose not to live authentically, we run the risk of believing a lie and leading others to do the same. On the other hand, living out the truth can be costly, so we have a choice. We can either let people believe what they will and not correct them with the truth, as Mary and Joseph did, or we can pay the price and walk in the truth as Jesus did. Scripture teaches us that the way of living a free life is to walk in the light (truth) as Jesus walked in the light. In that way, while we may be ridiculed, which by the way, Jesus said we would be, we live in the freeing knowledge that we are living authentic lives as Jesus did.

Kingdom Energy

The Lord’s Prayer ends by declaring that God’s kingdom, power and glory will last forever. That means that Jesus’ kingdom is fundamentally different than the present world. To last forever, Jesus’ kingdom must run with different physical laws than the world that is passing away, wearing out, and running down. In the world, even though energy is neither lost nor gained, it does get transferred into non-reusable forms like heat. When I was twelve, I received a new Schwinn 3 speed bicycle. My parents gave me a headlight that was powered by a small generator, which in turn was powered by the back wheel. I loved riding as fast as I could to see how bright the light would get. I asked my dad why we didn’t put little generators on everything so that we could power the world. That was when I got my first lesson on the Laws of Thermodynamics. As its used, energy gets transformed into less usable forms. For example, the energy used to pedal my bicycle was transferred to light, heat from the light, and friction in the generator. Not all my energy was transferred efficiently to light, but some was expended in heat and friction.

In nuclear fission, energy is released through the division of atoms, but in nuclear fusion, energy is release by uniting atoms. In fact more energy is released by combining atoms, than in nuclear fission by dividing them. That is why scientists hope to develop nuclear fusion to solve our energy problems. However, this may be a glimpse into Jesus’ kingdom physics. Like nuclear fusion, a multiplication of energy takes place, as in the multiplication of the bread through Jesus’ word, a little was multiplied, but more was left over in the end than the disciples began with. In the present world, this doesn’t make sense, but in Jesus’ kingdom it makes perfect sense. Therefore when we align our life with Jesus, a shift takes place as we begin to see Jesus’ kingdom principles take effect; we discover that he supplies more than we need and surprisingly there are still left-overs.

Dealing With Affluence

For those of us who live in the developed world, we have the challenge of dealing with our affluence. It is important for us to recognize the dangerous snare that the so-called American Dream lays out for us. While the American Dream promises comfort and an appearance of security, it has a high cost of superficiality and complacency. Jesus warned his disciples that we cannot serve two masters, God and money, because we will love one and hate the other (Matthew 6:24). Paul was even more pointed in his warning, declaring that those who desire to get rich, which is at the core of the American Dream, will fall into temptation which will lead them toward destruction. Paul even declared that some leave their faith in Jesus because they become so enamored with the attraction of riches (1 Timothy 6:9-10).

With this in mind, we are not surprised when we read Jesus’ teaching to the disciples that it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven (Luke 18:24-25). To the disciples, Jesus’ words meant that no one could enter, but Jesus gave hope. With men, it is surely impossible, but with God, all things are possible (Luke 18:27). Chapter 19 of Luke demonstrates this very fact. A wealthy tax collector, Zacchaeus, gave away his wealth to the poor and restored what he had stolen, plus interest. Zacchaeus was a very wealthy man who entered the kingdom, not by his own power, but by God’s transforming love, revealed to him in Jesus.

In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus indicated why it is so difficult for the wealthy to enter into the kingdom. Jesus declared blessed those who are poor in spirit, hungry, sorrowful, and ostracized—but he declared woe upon those who are wealthy, well-fed, happy, and well-spoken of by all (Luke 6:20-26). Those who he referred to as blessed have a constant motivation to do what Jesus said. They ask, seek, and knock because they have need to seek out God, but those who have the woes of worldly blessings have no such need and, therefore, live in complacency (Luke 11:9-13). In other words, those who seek and achieve the American Dream may live in comfort and apparent security, but because of their affluence, they may mistakenly think that they have no need for God—and they may then refrain from seeking him out. According to Jesus, this is a woeful state in which to live. Paul gave us the key to living whether in plenty or in want to learn to be content, because in our dependence upon Jesus we know that we can do all things. (Philippians 4:12-13)

Misguided Leadership

Pilate’s condemnation of Jesus reveals what happens when personal interests interfere with the practice of justice. Individuals in power may have more of a desire to maintain or enhance their position, rather than doing what is right or just, because it could conflict with their a desire to maintain or promote their position. It is rare to find a leader of people who will truly practice what is true and right, particularly when that practice will jeopardize their position of power, because the desire for self-preservation is so strong. Although Pilate found nothing in Jesus to convict him of anything, much less the death penalty, he went forward with the will of the religious leaders out of fear of their accusation that if he let Jesus go he was no friend of Caesar. Ironically the religious leaders claimed to have no king but Caesar and portrayed Pilate’s attempt to release Jesus as being against Caesar. However, within a generation, the religious leaders would lead a rebellion against Caesar leading to the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD by Titus. Foolishly Pilate tried to preserve his political position and condemned Jesus. Within a few years Pilate was recalled to Rome and never reinstated as governor. The contrast between Jesus and Pilate is stark. Pilate condemned Jesus through an act of self-preservation, while Jesus sacrificed himself to do what was right and just. Pilate’s story is a tragic one, while Scripture declares that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow and tongue confess that he is Lord. The question remains for us is whose example will we follow?

Free-Will or Fate

At times people wonder if they truly have free will, whether they make their own decisions or if they are just robots making decisions that fate or a higher power has predetermined. In John’s Gospel we see an incident that gives us a glimpse into how both free-will and a predetermined plan work together. The gospel writer John relates an incident at the time of Jesus’ arrest that sheds light on the dilemma (John 18:12-14). The man who held the yearly title of high priest the year Jesus was arrested was named Caiaphus. He was no friend of Jesus and considered Jesus to be a threat to the Jewish people. He plotted with others to arrest Jesus and in his plotting declared that it was better for one man to die than for the entire Jewish nation to perish. Ironically, Caiaphus in his opposition to Jesus and therefore in opposition to the God whom he thought he was serving had declared God’s plan for Jesus to die to accomplish the redemption of all men. Caiaphus made this declaration out of his free will; God did not force him or coerce him to make it. The fact that he was in opposition to Jesus indicates that he would not have made this declaration to promote Jesus’ in any way shape or form, yet by operating in his free will he furthered Jesus’ mission while outwardly being opposed to Jesus.

We serve a God who doesn’t need to resort to fate or determinism to accomplish his purposes. Caiaphus demonstrates that even in his free-willed opposition he promoted God’s plan and purposes. His story should give those of us who follow Jesus great comfort and freedom in knowing that even those who oppose Jesus will in their own free will support Jesus’ mission.

Jesus’ Power and Protection Revealed

John 18 records an amazing account of Jesus’ revealing his power to those who had come to arrest him. When Judas and the crowd came into the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus went to meet them, asking them who they were looking for. In response he declared to them that he was the one they were looking for, but he did so in a unique way. Back in John 8, Jesus had declared that “before Abraham was, I am”, to which the Jews picked up stones to kill him. They did so because Jesus used God’s personal name revealed to Moses in Exodus “I am”. His name was considered so sacred that by the time of Jesus they would not even pronounce it. In Hebrew it was the verb which in English is translated “I am”. In Hebrew we think it was either “Jehovah” (King James Version) or “Yahweh” (modern translations). When they came to arrest Jesus, he again used the same way to reveal himself “I am”. When they heard this they fell backwards and to the ground. The revelation of Jesus’ identity as Jehovah/Yahweh was so powerful that they were cast to the ground. However, John revealed that Jesus didn’t do this to reveal his power, although it was revealed, but to protect his disciples, fulfilling what he had prayed in John 17:12 that none who had been given to him by God the Father had been lost, except for Judas who betrayed him. They came for Jesus and left with Jesus, but left all the other disciples alone, when they could have arrested them all as a group. Jesus’ powerful and protective nature was revealed in this incident. In John 10 he had revealed himself as the Good Shepherd who lays his life down for his sheep. In Psalm 23:4 David had written of the Lord/Jehovah/Yahweh that his rod and staff comforted him. The rod and staff were used by shepherds to protect their sheep from predators. Jesus’ action here reveals that as he protected his disciples at the time of his arrest, his power is there to watch over those who follow him today.

What’s in a name?

What’s in a name? Well, that depends on whose name it is. For most of us a name is how we are called, given to us at birth by our parents. Typically, we are known by our first and last name; some, however prefer their middle name, while others hesitate to let that second name be known. However, in Scripture the word “name” has a much broader context and significance. In his final prayer before his arrest, Jesus prayed for his disciples and all those who would believe in him. In John 17:12 he made a curious statement regarding his name. He declared to God his Father, that he had kept the disciples in God’s name, which God had given to him. Jesus’ words here are unusual and indicate that Jesus is referring to more than a word that is used to identify someone when speaking of them. That being said, there are several ways to understand the word “name”. First, when the disciples went out and healed in Jesus’ name, we understand that they healed with the delegated authority of Jesus. Associated with this, being baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, indicates that the individual associates with that name. Second, to name someone meant to exercise authority over someone. God gave to Adam the authority to name the animals, implying that he had dominion over them. Knowing someone’s name implies a certain level of relationship, which carries with it a certain responsibility in that relationship. When the demons declared that they knew who Jesus was, Jesus commanded them to be silent, because they had no relationship with Jesus.

So, when Jesus declared that he had kept the disciples in God’s name, there was much meant by him. He had kept them in relationship with God, he had delegated authority for them to operate in Jesus’ and God’s name. In his prayer, Jesus revealed the foundation of the Gospel, relationship with Jesus and God the Father. So often people assume that being a Christian is merely holding a certain set of beliefs, when Jesus indicated that being a Christian is being in relationship with Jesus and His Father and being known by their name. Being known and identifying with their name, also carries a certain level of responsibility to live in a manner worthy of their name. Since in John 17, Jesus prayed for not only his disciples but for all who would believe in Jesus, that responsibility also falls upon those of us who identify with Jesus as the early disciples did.

What is Eternal Life?

Because of the name “eternal life” it is natural to assume that it means simply living forever. The common understanding is that it is life not on earth, but in some beautiful place where we will see all our loved ones who have died before us. We might even imagine that we become angels someday, like Clarence in the movie “Its a Wonderful Life”.

However, Jesus described a very different and simple version of eternal life. In his final prayer with his disciples, he declared eternal life to be a relationship with the only true God and the one whom he sent, Jesus Christ (John 17:1-3). According to Jesus, eternal life is not merely living forever in a continual family reunion and serving as angels, but rather an existence of relationship with the true God and Jesus. The knowledge of this type of life was to be the basis of joy while we live on this earth. When Jesus’ disciples returned from healing people and were naturally excited, Jesus adjusted their perspective. They were to rejoice not because they had authority over disease and demons, but because their names were written in heaven (Luke 10:20).

According to Jesus our understanding of heaven or eternal life is not to distract us from life on earth, but rather motivate us with joy to help those around us. We don’t serve others in order to be “good enough for heaven”, but because our names are written in heaven, because of Jesus, we serve others.

Father’s Protection

The world we live in struggles with and against evil. In fact, we encounter it every day of our life. At times, we recognize the battle, and at other times, we are oblivious to its presence because we are not sensitive enough to it or have become desensitized to it. Since we face evil consistently, we have a great need to be delivered from it and its effects—and at times, we get a glimpse of Father’s power to protect us from evil. For example, we narrowly miss being in an auto accident. Seemingly out of the blue, a thought comes to mind that we later realize led us to make a decision that protected us from disaster. One afternoon, I was riding my bicycle down a steep hill, picking up speed along the way. About half-way down the hill, the thought came to me to slow down. Typically, I never slowed riding down that hill; actually, I usually tried to go as fast as I could, but this day I slowed down. Seconds later, my rear wheel unexpectedly locked up. Since I had slowed down, I was able to control the situation without falling, but if I hadn’t slowed down, I easily could have had an accident. I do not believe this “apparently random” thought was a coincidence, but an example of my loving, heavenly Father delivering me from evil. An unexpected delay causes us to leave for an appointment later than we had planned, but on the way, we pass an accident that had just occurred. If we had left on time, would it have been us involved in the accident? Have you ever considered that random, “coincidental” incidents which delay you might actually protect you from evil? We will never know, but Father does. We do know that Father protects his children from evil.

Jesus Made A Way

When Jesus prayed, he consistently addressed God as “Father”, but in the Gospel of Mark, we find a couple of exceptions. When praying in the garden before his arrest, Jesus addressed God as “Abba,” which was a Chaldean term that meant “papa” or “daddy.” It is a term a young child would use (Mark 14:36). The next time we read of Jesus addressing God, he addresses him as neither “Abba” nor “Father,” but “God.” When translated, he said, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” This is the only time we see Jesus referring to God as God, not Father or Abba. It raises the question of why? Why, at this moment, did Jesus do something so out of the ordinary for him? I believe the best explanation is that when Jesus uttered those words, the Father-Son relationship had been broken, because Jesus took on humankind’s sin which alienated him relationally from his Father. So, Jesus addressed him as any other sinner might. A sinner can’t address God as Father, because until he or she is in relationship with Jesus, he or she is not a son or daughter. In that moment, Jesus was like any sinner and addressed God in that way. Jesus voluntarily placed himself under the Old Testament system, reflected in the design of the temple, which separated God’s presence in the Holy of Holies from man with a curtain. It was permissible for the high priest to enter God’s presence only one time a year on the day of atonement with the blood of a sacrifice. However, when Jesus died, that curtain in the temple was torn from top to bottom, demonstrating that in Jesus, people could now approach God. Because of what Jesus accomplished, those in relationship with Jesus have full access to God our Father, just as Jesus does.