When we think about betrayal and the episodes of it in the Bible we inevitable and almost by reflex think about Judas. Much debate has surround this act of betrayal which is probably the most known and definately the most significant act of betrayal in the history of the human race. Some of the schools of thought out there are;
- Judas and Jesus worked together to conjure the perfect fullfillment of prophecy concerning Jesus' death
- Judas' actions were not that of betrayal, but simple a handing over of Jesus to be interrogated by the legal systems as to his claim
- Judas cannot be held responsible for his actions since Christ knew and did not stop him
- Judas cannot be held responsible since God ordained his role in Christ's death and he had no choice and the list goes on.
This is not the betrayal that I want to bring to our minds as we read this. The betrayal that I am hoping to look at is one that should ellicit a certain sense of gratitude. I must confess that I do not fully understand this act and most if not all translation of the Bible that I have seen do not contend with this, not even the paraphrased versions dare to take it on.
The etimological root of the word used for betray - paradidomi is found in some many instances throughout the Bible. Its not always translated as betray or a derivative of betray. According to the lexicon here are the a range of meanings
to give over into (one's) power or use
a. to deliver to one something to keep, use, take care of, manage
b. to deliver up one to custody, to be judged, condemned, punished, scourged, tormented, put
to death
c. to deliver up treacherously
1. by betrayal to cause one to be taken
2. to deliver one to be taught, moulded
I want us to think about 2 scriptures and think about the range of meanings above and if they could fit in place of the words used.
Romans 8
31 What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? (Bold added - gave him up = paradidomi)
Ephesians 5
1 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Bold added - gave himself up = paradidomi)
The texts above if paradidomi was translated as betray would read that Christ betrayed himself for us as a sweet smelling sacrifice to the Father and the Father betrayed Christ for us and we can use that as a mark of God's willingness to keep us and feed us. I will go into more details on both of these passages as I have been working them out. I think there are some truths to be had from these two passages and in deed others if we took an uncoventional look at them and dared to inject the word betray(ed) in them.
We will look at these in some more detail next time, God's willing.
Thursday, 20 March 2008
Thursday, 28 February 2008
We Wrestle Against Flesh and Blood
The above caption is not a typo. I know very well that Paul declares that we wrestle NOT against flesh and blood, but I want to say the reverse is true. NO!!! I am not disagreeing with Paul. But both statements are correct and it depends on which side of the glass you are standing on. Paul, looking on matters relating to spiritual warfare hits the nail squarely on the head. Externally we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers.
Ezekiel in some sense enacted this principle in his discourse with or about the King of Tyre. He starts out talking to the"flesh and blood" on the throne, then he changes the tone of his address and addresses the spirit behind the throne. Much in the same way we would see modern day empires that are built on greed and exploitation or individuals who we encounter who stand in opposition to the reality of the Kingdom of God. So don't think I am in opposition to Paul at all.
But went I place the internal elements of this walk in juxtaposition to each other and take into account the different predilections of my flesh I came to the conclusion that we do wrestle against "flesh and blood". We have read the three foxes of the life...Lust of the flesh, Pride of Life and Lust of the Eyes. All these are products of the flesh and elements of life that we are struggling with. Yes they call into play the mind, but they are embedded in the flesh.
I have wondered what one day for me would be like if I didn't have the hormones of my flesh that leads to me desiring sex, or the mental capacity needed to be greedy, covetous or proud. What would a day off from the flesh be like? What would happen if my the senses of my flesh fall into alignment with the desires of my spirit? Would I find it as hard as I do to pray, to read the Word, to love my neighbours and/as myself?
Paul left us a trail to follow in Romans that speaks about the law of the flesh (and blood) that wars against the principles of God and the spirit. I am not engaging in any Platonic dualism that posits that the flesh/matter is evil and the spirit is good, but from what Paul says there are elements within the flesh that's just evil and we wrestle against the flesh daily. We are called to mortify...crucify...render ineffective the deeds of the flesh. And I find it easier to say than do.
Whoever came up with the notion that being victorious in the war against the flesh is as simple as the saying "Mind over Matter" is dreadfully mistaking. Transformation does come through the renewing of the mind, but where are the formulas? Where is the A x A - 10 = 90, (find the value of A)? Well...there are none. In my struggle against flesh and blood I have grown more and more appreciative of grace and more and more puzzled by it as well. I am thankful that Christ bore my sins in His flesh shedding his blood to give me both the upper hand and the victory in this battle. I am grateful that even when I don't get it right I am still the righteousness of God IN CHRIST. My inability to live as I want to for the pleasure of God does not devalue my salvation, but in fact brings to mind the reality of how valuable a price was paid for it.
The Law (Baccra Masta...in Jamaica parlance) was good, but the flesh was unable to keep it. Grace on the other hand did not obliterate the law, but gave us the ability to keep the perfect law of God through Christ and at the same time made provision for our lapses. In this wrestling against flesh and blood I am happy God holds me eternally secure in the palm of His hand. I look forward to that day when my body will be transformed into the incorruptible and immortal. Till then...we wrestle against flesh and blood.
Ezekiel in some sense enacted this principle in his discourse with or about the King of Tyre. He starts out talking to the"flesh and blood" on the throne, then he changes the tone of his address and addresses the spirit behind the throne. Much in the same way we would see modern day empires that are built on greed and exploitation or individuals who we encounter who stand in opposition to the reality of the Kingdom of God. So don't think I am in opposition to Paul at all.
But went I place the internal elements of this walk in juxtaposition to each other and take into account the different predilections of my flesh I came to the conclusion that we do wrestle against "flesh and blood". We have read the three foxes of the life...Lust of the flesh, Pride of Life and Lust of the Eyes. All these are products of the flesh and elements of life that we are struggling with. Yes they call into play the mind, but they are embedded in the flesh.
I have wondered what one day for me would be like if I didn't have the hormones of my flesh that leads to me desiring sex, or the mental capacity needed to be greedy, covetous or proud. What would a day off from the flesh be like? What would happen if my the senses of my flesh fall into alignment with the desires of my spirit? Would I find it as hard as I do to pray, to read the Word, to love my neighbours and/as myself?
Paul left us a trail to follow in Romans that speaks about the law of the flesh (and blood) that wars against the principles of God and the spirit. I am not engaging in any Platonic dualism that posits that the flesh/matter is evil and the spirit is good, but from what Paul says there are elements within the flesh that's just evil and we wrestle against the flesh daily. We are called to mortify...crucify...render ineffective the deeds of the flesh. And I find it easier to say than do.
Whoever came up with the notion that being victorious in the war against the flesh is as simple as the saying "Mind over Matter" is dreadfully mistaking. Transformation does come through the renewing of the mind, but where are the formulas? Where is the A x A - 10 = 90, (find the value of A)? Well...there are none. In my struggle against flesh and blood I have grown more and more appreciative of grace and more and more puzzled by it as well. I am thankful that Christ bore my sins in His flesh shedding his blood to give me both the upper hand and the victory in this battle. I am grateful that even when I don't get it right I am still the righteousness of God IN CHRIST. My inability to live as I want to for the pleasure of God does not devalue my salvation, but in fact brings to mind the reality of how valuable a price was paid for it.
The Law (Baccra Masta...in Jamaica parlance) was good, but the flesh was unable to keep it. Grace on the other hand did not obliterate the law, but gave us the ability to keep the perfect law of God through Christ and at the same time made provision for our lapses. In this wrestling against flesh and blood I am happy God holds me eternally secure in the palm of His hand. I look forward to that day when my body will be transformed into the incorruptible and immortal. Till then...we wrestle against flesh and blood.
Wednesday, 20 February 2008
Struggle to Come Last
Sometime ago I was asked to preach a sermon on servanthood by a friend of mine (I feel like an old man who has stories to tell). That Sunday morning as decided to talk about the Ministry of the Towel. I had asked my friend to arrange with someone from the community to sit in, someone who the Church might not know. The aim of having this person sitting in was so I could wash his feet, this was someone I didn't know either. My friend pointed this person out to me on my arrival.
On Monday night on my way back from speaking to the Boy's Brigade in Kilkeel we stopped in on an alcoholic support group in the Kairos center called Cheers. We were just in time for the reading of the scripture by one of the members. He was reading the story of Jesus watching the feet of his disciples. This was the story I used as my reference that Sunday morning. The central message of that picture of Jesus wrapping himself with a towel and getting down to a dog's view of things still challenges my heart.
Maslow tells us that human nature is always to thrive for actualization. One of this D-needs is that of Esteem; self esteem and esteem from others. Our drive for esteem causes us to seek glory, to seek first place. No wonder one of the most recorded quarrels among the disciples was which of us will be first or the greatest. A mother wanting the best for her sons asks this favour of Jesus as well. Maslow's diagnosis seems right in explaining the disciples behavior as well as ours. One of my struggles in earlier years when I was being told how good a speaker I was by my peers and even those I respected was keeping my head on the earth. Thank God that I had enough trials and persecutions around me to keep my feet anchored firmly to the ground. There were times when I was tempted to probably wear a jersey advertising how good I was...no just kidding. But there were times when my gifting deceived me into thinking I am all that and a bag of chips.
The truth is that I am in this struggle to coming last...my struggle is not to coming in first. Jesus demonstrated this when he mantled himself with the ministry of the lowest of servants. The task of washing feet was not for just any house servant, but for the lowest of slaves. No wonder Peter (although his love was somewhat defective) could not stand the thought of his Lord washing his feet. Christ was not deficient in anyway, not emotionally nor psychological. He had great self-esteem as the preceding days would show and he is probably the only fully actualized human to have lived. I think it is the fact that He was so balanced and satisfied with who He was that gave him the ability to serve in this way.
Servanthood is not abasing...it does not erase our esteem when done with the right motive. It sometimes help to lift the esteem of those we serve. On the Sunday morning that I spoke at my friend's church the person who we had original planted in the congregation left before I was through speaking...probably had to go and sort out his rice and peas. I had to call someone else from the crowd. It turned out that this man was a taxi driver and not a member of the church. As I washed this man's feet along with my friend's, illustrating the need for more service that's motivated by selfless love and not just sentiments, this man broke down and wept.
That was probably the most loving thing someone had ever done for this man. When was the last time we really made an attempt to be the least in a crowded room? Can I challenge you as I challenge myself to strive to become the least. Not through self-abasement, because that's not humility nor is it godly. But as you go through the rest of your days, find a reason to praise someone, find a reason to serve the next person. Take out your untouched towel and get it dirty. Get a dog's view on things. With this there is also promise...because some of those who end up last will reach the podium in first place.
On Monday night on my way back from speaking to the Boy's Brigade in Kilkeel we stopped in on an alcoholic support group in the Kairos center called Cheers. We were just in time for the reading of the scripture by one of the members. He was reading the story of Jesus watching the feet of his disciples. This was the story I used as my reference that Sunday morning. The central message of that picture of Jesus wrapping himself with a towel and getting down to a dog's view of things still challenges my heart.
Maslow tells us that human nature is always to thrive for actualization. One of this D-needs is that of Esteem; self esteem and esteem from others. Our drive for esteem causes us to seek glory, to seek first place. No wonder one of the most recorded quarrels among the disciples was which of us will be first or the greatest. A mother wanting the best for her sons asks this favour of Jesus as well. Maslow's diagnosis seems right in explaining the disciples behavior as well as ours. One of my struggles in earlier years when I was being told how good a speaker I was by my peers and even those I respected was keeping my head on the earth. Thank God that I had enough trials and persecutions around me to keep my feet anchored firmly to the ground. There were times when I was tempted to probably wear a jersey advertising how good I was...no just kidding. But there were times when my gifting deceived me into thinking I am all that and a bag of chips.
The truth is that I am in this struggle to coming last...my struggle is not to coming in first. Jesus demonstrated this when he mantled himself with the ministry of the lowest of servants. The task of washing feet was not for just any house servant, but for the lowest of slaves. No wonder Peter (although his love was somewhat defective) could not stand the thought of his Lord washing his feet. Christ was not deficient in anyway, not emotionally nor psychological. He had great self-esteem as the preceding days would show and he is probably the only fully actualized human to have lived. I think it is the fact that He was so balanced and satisfied with who He was that gave him the ability to serve in this way.
Servanthood is not abasing...it does not erase our esteem when done with the right motive. It sometimes help to lift the esteem of those we serve. On the Sunday morning that I spoke at my friend's church the person who we had original planted in the congregation left before I was through speaking...probably had to go and sort out his rice and peas. I had to call someone else from the crowd. It turned out that this man was a taxi driver and not a member of the church. As I washed this man's feet along with my friend's, illustrating the need for more service that's motivated by selfless love and not just sentiments, this man broke down and wept.
That was probably the most loving thing someone had ever done for this man. When was the last time we really made an attempt to be the least in a crowded room? Can I challenge you as I challenge myself to strive to become the least. Not through self-abasement, because that's not humility nor is it godly. But as you go through the rest of your days, find a reason to praise someone, find a reason to serve the next person. Take out your untouched towel and get it dirty. Get a dog's view on things. With this there is also promise...because some of those who end up last will reach the podium in first place.
Tuesday, 5 February 2008
The Blind Spot
I sent out an email reminding us of the 10/40 window and the urgent needs for prayer and missions in this region. But lets consider a region that I want to call THE BLIND SPOT
''Church attendance in Ireland, though still among the highest in Western Europe, has fallen from about 85% to 60% from 1975 to 2004, according to the Dublin Archdiocese.''
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2005-08-10-europe-religion-cover_x.htm
''The Methodist Church suffered a net loss of about 300 churches, and the Church of England fell by more than 100 during this period. It follows figures released by the Church of England at the beginning of the year, that showed little sign that its long-term decline was being reversed.'' http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/content/news_syndication/article_060228cres.shtml
Western Europe has been experience a large decline in Christian over the last 20 years or less. When we consider this region we have much to give thanks for in history, but it seems as if little can be celebrated in the present. Church history seems to have happened largely in Europe. The emergence of Roman Catholicism, The Reformation, St Patrick and his preservation of Christianity during a period when the flame seemed to have been extinguished.
The so-called 'Ages' of history is staged on the landscape of Europe...The Dark Ages, The Middle Ages, Pre-Modern and Age of Discovery. Many of these characters of history also find their significance in the iconic religion of Europe: Christianity. Films that portray these different periods are often filled with wonderful cinematography, but I am often left repenting and celebrating at the same time. The Crusades against the Muslims in the name of God...the Islamic retaliations. God using frail men to preserve HIS truths and the hinging of these men in history because they have been chosen by God.
I must confess that my decision to serve in this area of the world was sparsely influenced by the above factors of this epoch making region. I came simply out of obedience to God. God didn't have to perform any great fete, He only needed to open the door and foot the bill that would have been incurred by my willingness to serve. He has done that!! Even in the midst of my unfaithfulness and disgrace, he has shown His Grace to me.
But history is just that, history. If one should take a survey of Christianity in Ireland, both north and south, the figures would be misleading. Majority of the persons here consider themselves either Catholic or Protestant. Nominally this country though split is Christian. A friend of mine would normally say, ''Its not about orthodoxy, but orthoproxy''. Catholic and Protestant means little here I have found in terms of allegiance to God as PNP or JLP in Jamaica or Republican or Democratic in the USA or left-wing or right wing. It is just another badge not any serious statement of conviction or conversion.
The reality of Western Europe is that there is a surge of ideologies that tame the truth of the Gospel...salvation is only through Jesus Christ through faith by Grace. This region has gone BLIND in a sense. Spirituality is pursued without allegiance to God, the Christian God. The influx of Islam in many regions pose a threat to religion freedom. One debate that was on prompted this headline, Europe Is Christian, but Turkey's Crescent Moon Shines in its Skies. That reality is pretty much evident and is growing not just as it concerns Turkey, but many parts of Europe.
I have been looking at the state of Newcastle, the area that I work in and asking myself a question...'Have the churches here stopped short of the ideology of the reformation?' Luther and the other precursory contributors to the reformation sought to make the Scriptures the only rule of the Church. Not to form another group of people who are stopping short of obeying scripture in its entirety. There is a silence that exists here in the Spiritual Realm. This silence is not in words, but in action. This seem unwillingness to attempt full surrender to Holy Spirit in every sphere, come what may. Most of these kids will go through there life sitting in church pews (those who go) not knowing anything about the Holy Spirit or His active role in the lives of believers.
The state of the church in Western Europe might seem to be getting a lifeline since 'The Pentecostal Churches...started nearly 500 churches since 1998, the research showed.' This too can be misleading, since it is also stated that, 'Christian Research has previously suggested that churches may be heading for extinction by 2040 - with just two per cent of the population attending Sunday services and the average age of congregations rising to 64.'
In your prayers consider the above and pray. Pray that the Lord of the harvest will send reapers. Pray for the state of the church and the mobilization of Christians in this region by the power of the Holy Spirit.
''Church attendance in Ireland, though still among the highest in Western Europe, has fallen from about 85% to 60% from 1975 to 2004, according to the Dublin Archdiocese.''
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2005-08-10-europe-religion-cover_x.htm
''The Methodist Church suffered a net loss of about 300 churches, and the Church of England fell by more than 100 during this period. It follows figures released by the Church of England at the beginning of the year, that showed little sign that its long-term decline was being reversed.'' http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/content/news_syndication/article_060228cres.shtml
Western Europe has been experience a large decline in Christian over the last 20 years or less. When we consider this region we have much to give thanks for in history, but it seems as if little can be celebrated in the present. Church history seems to have happened largely in Europe. The emergence of Roman Catholicism, The Reformation, St Patrick and his preservation of Christianity during a period when the flame seemed to have been extinguished.
The so-called 'Ages' of history is staged on the landscape of Europe...The Dark Ages, The Middle Ages, Pre-Modern and Age of Discovery. Many of these characters of history also find their significance in the iconic religion of Europe: Christianity. Films that portray these different periods are often filled with wonderful cinematography, but I am often left repenting and celebrating at the same time. The Crusades against the Muslims in the name of God...the Islamic retaliations. God using frail men to preserve HIS truths and the hinging of these men in history because they have been chosen by God.
I must confess that my decision to serve in this area of the world was sparsely influenced by the above factors of this epoch making region. I came simply out of obedience to God. God didn't have to perform any great fete, He only needed to open the door and foot the bill that would have been incurred by my willingness to serve. He has done that!! Even in the midst of my unfaithfulness and disgrace, he has shown His Grace to me.
But history is just that, history. If one should take a survey of Christianity in Ireland, both north and south, the figures would be misleading. Majority of the persons here consider themselves either Catholic or Protestant. Nominally this country though split is Christian. A friend of mine would normally say, ''Its not about orthodoxy, but orthoproxy''. Catholic and Protestant means little here I have found in terms of allegiance to God as PNP or JLP in Jamaica or Republican or Democratic in the USA or left-wing or right wing. It is just another badge not any serious statement of conviction or conversion.
The reality of Western Europe is that there is a surge of ideologies that tame the truth of the Gospel...salvation is only through Jesus Christ through faith by Grace. This region has gone BLIND in a sense. Spirituality is pursued without allegiance to God, the Christian God. The influx of Islam in many regions pose a threat to religion freedom. One debate that was on prompted this headline, Europe Is Christian, but Turkey's Crescent Moon Shines in its Skies. That reality is pretty much evident and is growing not just as it concerns Turkey, but many parts of Europe.
I have been looking at the state of Newcastle, the area that I work in and asking myself a question...'Have the churches here stopped short of the ideology of the reformation?' Luther and the other precursory contributors to the reformation sought to make the Scriptures the only rule of the Church. Not to form another group of people who are stopping short of obeying scripture in its entirety. There is a silence that exists here in the Spiritual Realm. This silence is not in words, but in action. This seem unwillingness to attempt full surrender to Holy Spirit in every sphere, come what may. Most of these kids will go through there life sitting in church pews (those who go) not knowing anything about the Holy Spirit or His active role in the lives of believers.
The state of the church in Western Europe might seem to be getting a lifeline since 'The Pentecostal Churches...started nearly 500 churches since 1998, the research showed.' This too can be misleading, since it is also stated that, 'Christian Research has previously suggested that churches may be heading for extinction by 2040 - with just two per cent of the population attending Sunday services and the average age of congregations rising to 64.'
In your prayers consider the above and pray. Pray that the Lord of the harvest will send reapers. Pray for the state of the church and the mobilization of Christians in this region by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Tuesday, 15 January 2008
TREASURED, YET NOT UNDERSTOOD
Luke 2:49-51"Why were you searching for me?" he asked. "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?" But they did not understand what he was saying to them . . . But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.
As I was in the Baptist Church in Newcastle on Sunday the speaker spoke from the entire section that pertains to the only mention of Christ's life between his birth and his appearance on the scene at about age 30. His presentation has a bit abstract as most sermons I have heard here are give and take a few. They seem to pretty much lack the intimacy of being spoken to and not being spoken at or just listening to a tape. But as I struggled to stay attentive through this, these verse jolted something in my "liver"...lol...and I began in a sense to preach this in my spirit.
Our faculties are of such that it seems as if different parts of our beings sometimes function independently of the other yet we are one being. The body dies regardless of the fact that the spirit is everlasting and can't cease except by the command of God, who gives no hint that he will command such a think. The spirit of a terminally ill person brings joy to visitors while the spirit of a wealthy person brings the opposite. There are other times though when one facet affects the other in such a way that it brings to our mind how intricately linked these facets are. Pains in the body induced from mental fatigue or stress. Ulcers or even cancers developing because of unforgiveness in the heart.
The passage above in some way seems to put the mind and the heart before us functioning at different levels. The prefix to the above has Jesus being away from his parents for at least 5 days, it might be proper so assume a week since he was obvious in the temple while the feast was going on. Now any parent in this situation would need some kind of explanation from the child that would appease his or her understanding. his parents received no such thing.
I won't look on the statement as much as the impact of the statement. "They did not understand", which of us can claim full understanding or even adequate understanding of most of the statements of God or the mysteries of the Christian faith. For the most part our minds will forever thirst for understanding, at times we even grow frustrated because of this lack of understanding the foolish things of God let alone the profound things. Which of us can adequate fathom the process of redemption through the blood of Jesus or grasp the magnaminity of the incarnation; the Word becoming flesh. At best our minds let us down on these quests to conquer the mystery of the scriptures.
My own struggle as I read the books I have taken up a habit of reading these days, The Jesus I Never Knew - Philip Yancey, A Case for Christ - Strobel, has to do with the beginning of creation and the Creator. I try to philosophize an adequate explanation within my mind. A poem I wrote begins each verse with "the human mind is desigend to philosophize..." But not even the greatest of us can fully fathom the these mysteries that God has left us.
If we cannot understand these mysteries what should be our response. Mary leaves us the most appropriate one I have seen in my limited reading of scripture. She "treasured all these things in her heart." Although her intellect was not fed, her emotions were fattened. We do not need to understand the mystery to treasure and enjoy the ministry. Our heart has the ability to hold dear the things that our minds do not understand. Too many times we down play the importance of the emotions in right Kingdom living. I have been guilty in some sense of this in my relating to people who say "I just don't feel like it". While the "knowing" is important so is the "feeling". This heart connect with the words of Christ.
I do not understand in the least how the crucifixion and public disgrace of Jesus Christ 2000 years ago translates into my salvation and secures my life from the foe now and forever. But I must admit that I would not trade in the truth of this that I have treasured in my heart for an understanding of it. Too many times we allow the truths of God's Word to pass us by because we seek understanding. Don't get me wrong...we should seek understanding but not to the point where our hearts cannot treasure the "un-understood". The realities of the mysteries of God will be there until eternity becomes our dwelling place, until then treasure the ministry of His Word.
As I was in the Baptist Church in Newcastle on Sunday the speaker spoke from the entire section that pertains to the only mention of Christ's life between his birth and his appearance on the scene at about age 30. His presentation has a bit abstract as most sermons I have heard here are give and take a few. They seem to pretty much lack the intimacy of being spoken to and not being spoken at or just listening to a tape. But as I struggled to stay attentive through this, these verse jolted something in my "liver"...lol...and I began in a sense to preach this in my spirit.
Our faculties are of such that it seems as if different parts of our beings sometimes function independently of the other yet we are one being. The body dies regardless of the fact that the spirit is everlasting and can't cease except by the command of God, who gives no hint that he will command such a think. The spirit of a terminally ill person brings joy to visitors while the spirit of a wealthy person brings the opposite. There are other times though when one facet affects the other in such a way that it brings to our mind how intricately linked these facets are. Pains in the body induced from mental fatigue or stress. Ulcers or even cancers developing because of unforgiveness in the heart.
The passage above in some way seems to put the mind and the heart before us functioning at different levels. The prefix to the above has Jesus being away from his parents for at least 5 days, it might be proper so assume a week since he was obvious in the temple while the feast was going on. Now any parent in this situation would need some kind of explanation from the child that would appease his or her understanding. his parents received no such thing.
I won't look on the statement as much as the impact of the statement. "They did not understand", which of us can claim full understanding or even adequate understanding of most of the statements of God or the mysteries of the Christian faith. For the most part our minds will forever thirst for understanding, at times we even grow frustrated because of this lack of understanding the foolish things of God let alone the profound things. Which of us can adequate fathom the process of redemption through the blood of Jesus or grasp the magnaminity of the incarnation; the Word becoming flesh. At best our minds let us down on these quests to conquer the mystery of the scriptures.
My own struggle as I read the books I have taken up a habit of reading these days, The Jesus I Never Knew - Philip Yancey, A Case for Christ - Strobel, has to do with the beginning of creation and the Creator. I try to philosophize an adequate explanation within my mind. A poem I wrote begins each verse with "the human mind is desigend to philosophize..." But not even the greatest of us can fully fathom the these mysteries that God has left us.
If we cannot understand these mysteries what should be our response. Mary leaves us the most appropriate one I have seen in my limited reading of scripture. She "treasured all these things in her heart." Although her intellect was not fed, her emotions were fattened. We do not need to understand the mystery to treasure and enjoy the ministry. Our heart has the ability to hold dear the things that our minds do not understand. Too many times we down play the importance of the emotions in right Kingdom living. I have been guilty in some sense of this in my relating to people who say "I just don't feel like it". While the "knowing" is important so is the "feeling". This heart connect with the words of Christ.
I do not understand in the least how the crucifixion and public disgrace of Jesus Christ 2000 years ago translates into my salvation and secures my life from the foe now and forever. But I must admit that I would not trade in the truth of this that I have treasured in my heart for an understanding of it. Too many times we allow the truths of God's Word to pass us by because we seek understanding. Don't get me wrong...we should seek understanding but not to the point where our hearts cannot treasure the "un-understood". The realities of the mysteries of God will be there until eternity becomes our dwelling place, until then treasure the ministry of His Word.
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