American humorist and author, Mark Twain, reportedly said, “It
ain't those parts of the Bible that I can't understand that bother me, it is
the parts that I do understand.” No fan of religion or Christianity, Twain despised
the Church and understood the God of the Bible as “a thug.” Lost in the questions, it appears he never
found the Answer.
On Tuesday of the week before the Cross, the Gospels tell us
that Jesus was back at the Temple to engage the religious authorities. Mark,
whose likely source was Peter, tells us that He engaged in a running debate
that day with those authorities who kept asking Him questions – not for the purpose
of finding real answers but to try to get Him to say something they could use to
make a formal charge. “By what authority
did you come in here and say those things you say? Should we pay tax to Caesar
or not? If a woman is married (because
of successive deaths) to seven brothers which one will she be married to in
Heaven? Which commandment is greatest?” Jesus took the questions and answered them wisely
and without giving them the base for accusation they desired. In fact, we learn
this about Him: “They were amazed at Him.” (Mark 12:17)
Anyone who has parented a teenager knows the tactic of
parsing words and avoiding directions. With keen interest in the exact meaning of
words, a 14 year old can turn into skilled debater. “But, you really said … I did
not think you actually meant …” though
both parent and child know exactly what was intended by the request or in the
direction.
In the pointed exchange that day in the Temple, Jesus told a
teaching story that remains a powerful lesson for us. “But
what do you think about this? A man with two sons told the older boy, ‘Son, go
out and work in the vineyard today.’ The son answered, ‘No, I won’t go,’ but
later he changed his mind and went anyway. Then the father told the other son,
‘You go,’ and he said, ‘Yes, sir, I will.’ But he didn’t go. “Which of the two
obeyed his father?” They replied, “The first.” Then Jesus explained his
meaning: “I tell you the truth, corrupt tax collectors and prostitutes will get
into the Kingdom of God before you do. For John the Baptist came and showed you
the right way to live, but you didn’t believe him, while tax collectors and
prostitutes did. And even when you saw this happening, you refused to believe
him and repent of your sins." (Matthew 21:28-32, NLT)
Christian friend, don’t
get so caught up in the words that you forget to follow! Are there questions about our faith, about
God and His ways, about the way of life to which we are called? Yes! And take this from a disciple who has been
following Jesus for a half century, those questions do not get easier with
time. That is why it is called ‘faith.’ We must match reason with revelation, obey
the things we know even as we wrestle with the things we do not yet understand.
Our hearts find peace in that obedience as we live in fellowship with the Spirit.
James is simple and clear - "Anyone,
then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins."
(James 4:17, NIV)
Where are you positioned as a disciple, at the fringe of the
crowd or close to the Savior? Are you trying to find that place of minimal obedience,
of reluctant submission? Let me encourage you to wholeheartedly pursue the Lord.
Your questions may be valid, but like
those of a child with limited understanding, there may not be answers for them
right now. What do you know? What has He said?
Live in that place.
Here is a word from the Word for this Tuesday of Holy Week. As
you read these words, let your imagination place you in the crowd standing ‘round
Jesus in the Temple, but not with the skeptics. Instead, find yourself in worshipful
adoration. "One of the religion scholars came up. Hearing the lively
exchanges of question and answer and seeing how sharp Jesus was in his answers,
he put in his question: “Which is most important of all the commandments?”
Jesus said, “The first in importance is, ‘Listen, Israel: The Lord your God is one; so love the Lord God with all your passion
and prayer and intelligence and energy.’ And here is the second: ‘Love others as well as you love yourself.’
There is no other commandment that ranks with these.” The religion scholar
said, “A wonderful answer, Teacher! So lucid and accurate—that God is one and
there is no other. And loving him with all passion and intelligence and energy,
and loving others as well as you love yourself. Why, that’s better than all
offerings and sacrifices put together!” When Jesus realized how insightful he
was, he said, “You’re almost there, right on the border of God’s kingdom.”
After that, no one else dared ask a question." (Mark 12:28-34, The
Message)
May He find us faithful and in a place where we find peace
in His purposes.
________________
All the way my Savior leads me
Who have I to ask beside
How could I doubt
His tender mercy
Who through life has been my guide
All the way my Savior leads me
And cheers each winding path I tread
And gives me grace for ev'ry trial
Feeds me with the living Bread
All the way my Savior leads me
O the fullness of His love
O the sureness of His promise
In the triumph of His blood
When my spirit clothed immortal
Wings its flight to realms of day
This my song through endless ages
Jesus led me all the way
Jesus led me all the way
Fanny Crosby – public
domain
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