Good Monday morning... good 'n rainy that is. Who chooses these cumbersome titles? I suppose that would be me. Now to write something that will fit the title in some way, shape, or form.
In this world, we are taught to find the evidence and then form a conclusion. In light of new evidence, we may rework our conclusion or have further proof that our original conclusion was correct. When it comes to a certain kingdom not of this world, we are simply tasked with believing. We like to think that we must believe on no evidence at all. Is that true?
We know from historical records other than the Bible that Jesus did live. However, the Bible has proven to be an unmatched historical record in itself. Jesus told the folks back then that if they couldn't yet believe in him, then they should believe in the miracles that he did. Miracles can sound like magic; is this what we are to believe in?
What if the entire gospel, the story of Jesus, is nothing but a historical fiction? Some monk in the dark ages sat down and wrote a story to entertain the kids. For one thing, the monk's hero isn't someone to inspire a lot of hope for a fictional character. Jesus didn't slay a dragon or win a great battle against overwhelming odds. Jesus hung out with women, but failed to romance any of them. Jesus didn't suffer some cruel incident as a child that caused him to set out for revenge, nor did he ride into Jerusalem at the head of an avenging, liberating army of powerful warriors. Nope, the monk's hero was deserted by his closest followers in his time of need; inspired no one to ride in with swords swinging, liberated no city or town, and died a criminal's death on a cross. What kind of hero is that? No, this does not seem like the sort of tale anyone has ever invented for entertainment or education. We want our heroes to do something heroic.
What then do we find if the story is the truth? Jesus said to do good to those who hurt you, and God said that vengeance belonged to Him alone. This is quite the opposite of our many tales of wrongs perpetrated and vengeance taken in the name of self-righteousness. Jesus told a ruler of the time that His kingdom was not of this world. Jesus healed out of compassion the many with no hope of healing in their time. Jesus cleared the temple of thieving merchants and money changers a couple of times. If you had traveled hundreds of miles for Passover only to be swindled by the locals, you might think that a pretty cool deed. Does any of that prove anything to our suspicious minds in these enlightened (as the world calls it) days?
What if we had a choice that was truly free? If you decide one way, then evidence supports your conclusion in either case. What if the choice was not quite as free as it seemed though? One way held the truth and the other way held only lies. One way said everyone is bad and in need of a savior, while the other way said everyone is basically good and can save themselves by their actions. One way holds life, the other death. One way is rebellion, and the other obedience. Which way is the right way?
Certainly it helps when the hero of one way spells it out quite plainly, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life..." The choice is then to believe the one who said that or to reject him as a liar or crackpot. Did you realize that much of this choice comes down to what you believe about your self? Do you agree with the Bible when it says we are all sinners, or do you believe the world when it says we are all basically good? If we are all basically good, why are so many bad things done by humans to other humans? Am I going to convince anyone with arguments?
No matter what evidence or argument I present, the choice remains: do you believe in Jesus or do you not? All I can do to convince someone is to testify of my faith in Jesus. Once I came to believe in Him, then all the other pieces began falling into place. Jesus didn't give us a vague promise to return; he promised to return on exactly the date and time that God the Father has set. The fact that I don't know that date and time does not mean that the promise is in any way vague. Jesus died as the greatest of heroes, not by dying by the sword or conquering an empire, but by submitting to the will of God and dying as the one perfect sacrifice for our sins. Jesus grants us eternal life, not through any actions of our own, but by His grace and love. God forgives our sin because of Jesus, not because we deserve it. To follow the Way, we are called to the opposite of the world's reasoning, we believe in the conclusion that Jesus is our savior, and then we see the evidence of His salvation.
For those who still want to gather evidence first, that has happened too. Men and women throughout history have studied the scriptures and reached the conclusion that Jesus is the Son of God. However, what if you don't have time for that study and careful consideration? For those of us without the time and intellect to study the Word for years until we see the inescapable truth, we find it much easier to believe first. Once I believed, then the Holy Spirit poured the evidence into my mind and heart. As my brothers in Christ will tell you, daily we discover more and more of God's grace and wonderful sovereign will.
Enjoy a wonderful new week in Christ!
Bucky
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