Looking to Jesus "lifted up"
John 8: 21-30
Someone posed a question the other day: 'Why has God not changed his strategy since it doesn't seem to work?' I don't think we can try to answer for God. But to me it seems that the Cross is indeed God's one and only strategy to redeem the world.
This is not an easy thought for many. As the apostle Paul commented, "Christ crucified is a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles (1 Cor. 1: 23). Indeed God chose the foolish things, the weak things, the lowly things and despised things..to nullify the things that are.
As we read in John 8: 28, Jesus the "I AM" will be lifted up (a reference to his crucifixion, resurrection and ascension). Only when we look to Christ as the Israelites in the desert looked at the bronze snake (Num. 21: 4-9) will we understand God's healing and redeeming love.
Many years ago I attended a Basic Christian Doctrine course. One of the topics was "Doctrine of the work of Christ". There were assignments to do for those who wished. What was valuable for me was that we were not only expected to write essays based on our understanding of the doctrine -that would be fairly easy as long as one paid attention in class. We were also asked to write a separate one on "how the doctrine has impacted my life and ministry". I believe such reflection helps to bridge the gap between faith that remains a propositional truth and faith that invites deep engagement with God in all the contradictions and paradoxes of human life.
The "power of the Cross" is indeed real, but how practically 'real' is it in my life? Do I not often face situations where God's "power" doesn't seem to be "real"? But where am I looking for power and deliverance? If I look to the Cross, then it may require a huge paradigm shift. Situations and people that look weak, lowly and despised might be the very way that God reveals himself and draws me into his healing and redeeming love.
Becoming who God wants me to be means that day by day, moment by moment I look for the footsteps and listen for the Voice of God's Beloved Son, who was "lifted up". And often, I may have to look in unlikely places.
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2 comments:
I have had to help handle tough pastoral situations of late that involve much suffering - from prolonged suffering to terminal cancer. And of course the question of WHY? always comes up ...
Problem of evil over and over again ... and the only answer I have has nothing to do with the why but the WHO ... via the pain and power of the cross...
This is one of many ways the doctrine of the work of Christ ahs impacted my life and ministry.
I am so emotionally tired right now - following a very busy Sunday and then 2 days of struggling with the pain of others ... I have no more tears left... and again the impact of the power of the Cross becomes so evident. If I a frail and sinful person, deeply selfish (though well meaning) can feel so drained trying to be there for a handful who are hurting ... it hits me that our God is so great and the power of what He has done on the cross so infinite for Him to willingly bear the pain of countless millions ... and be able to bring comfort and peace!
Yes Paul, the age old 'problem of suffering'. People often have to ask the 'why' question over and over first, though of course we will not find adequate answers. But as you say, the question should change to 'WHO'....and indeed only the One who has borne the Cross himself is adequate.
Sometimes, for myself, I ask 'where is God'? I can accept that he does not 'answer' prayers as we wish. But personally for me, I was only comforted when I came to realize that he is very much there with me in the cries of pain and suffering. And that somehow, if we allow our hearts to be torn apart, we may, as the apostle Paul did, "come to know the fellowship of his sufferings", and know him in a deeper way. We will appreciate the hope of the resurrection better then. It will not just be our insurance policy to heaven.
Have you heard one of the newer Michael Card albums - "The hidden face of God"? I would recommend the song, "To a broken God", to those who ask "where is God?"
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