When Jesus Picks A Fight

In the movie ‘Braveheart,’ there’s a scene where the ragtag army of Scottish volunteers is lined up to do battle against the well trained troops of King Edward. Someone turns to William Wallace and asks “What are you going to do now?” And Wallace replies, “I’m going to 'peck' a fight.”

As I read the gospels, it seems to me that on more than one occasion Jesus 'pecked' His own fight. Rather than make peace, there were times when He went out of His way to stir dissension. Most often it had to do with the Sabbath.

The way the Sabbath was commonly understood symbolized everything that was wrong with first century Judaism. As such, this was where Jesus drew His bead. It was as if being a good Jew had little to do with one’s heart toward God or the way others were treated, but was a matter of how much work one didn’t do one day a week. The Sabbath was so misunderstood it was allowed to be a hindrance to people doing the very thing God did call them to – namely, doing good and showing mercy to others.

Modern religion is really no different. The holiness movement substituted lipstick and jewelry for the Sabbath. Being a good Christian was a matter of abstaining from both. Charismatics substitute raised hands and spiritual gifts. Traditional evangelicals trust in toted Bibles and faithful attendance.

I think the Lord’s problem with the Sabbath was it had become a shallow outward work that people practiced in place of living with a real heart for God and compassion for others. A primary temptation for every new generation of Christians is to substitute something outward for real relationship. And no matter how relevant or winsome the outward expression might be, the Lord is equally opposed to all religious substitutes. There can never be an acceptable substitute for loving God and being merciful towards others.

What Jesus Values

I've been reading the gospels alot lately. I'm wanting to know all I can about Jesus - who He is and what He did. In Luke 16:15, Jesus was in a confrontational mood. Pulling no punches, He said, "What is highly valued among men is detestable in God's sight." Clearly, He intends to radically change what we value. I'm left wondering, after all these years, how much of what I value God is either indifferent towards or directly opposed to.

So, trying to set aside all of my theology and prejudices, going only from what I've been reading of late, I've begun to make a list of what Jesus values. Many clearly overlap. Here's what I've got so far.

1. Loving God – which means being ever mindful of God, fiercely devoted to God, doing the right thing because we love God, etc.
2. Treating others the way we would want to be treated.
3. Mercy – a huge part of #2

4. Compassion.

5. Taking time for people.
6. Being faithful to your mission - to what's been entrusted to us.

7. Prayer – simple, prayer.

8. Honest confession.

9. Abiding with God.
10. Life without pretenses. No attempts to impress others.
11. Serving others.

12. Mercy.
13. Humility.
14. A pure heart.
15. Willingness to deny ourselves to do the right thing.
16. Trusting God – anxiety free living.
17. Did I mention mercy?

The Power of Testimony

How does a post Christian society, that generally gives the scriptures no authority whatsoever, come to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior? I think part of the answer is that they experience His love in and through His people. I think another part of the answer is that they experience God Himself. And in the New Testament, healing and delivering were common ways people experienced God. These were also two of the primary things that drew people to Jesus. I try to include testimonies in our services for several reasons. 1) To praise God for the thing He has done - to give Him all the glory we can. 2) To encourage people that God does love us and He does help us in response to our prayers. 3) To give people tangible evidence - the way Jesus and the New Testament church gave tangible evidence - that Jesus really is who the Bible says He is. All over the world the gospel is advancing as people are experiencing God doing things only God can do - in Jesus' name.

Church leaders in China have estimated that there are over 100 million born again Christians in that nation. They assert most came to Christ by a personal experience of God doing something miraculous. I believe the greatest power of a testimony is that it can witness to secular people that this Jesus - in whose name this great thing has happened - is everything the Bible says He is.

Thoughts on Healing

Recently a student sent me a well intentioned email questioning a comment he overheard some other students make referring to medicine being a crutch for those who don't have the faith to be healed. That led to general questions concerning my and UGA Wesley's overall understanding and approach to healing. Below is the bulk of my response.

...I don't believe medicine is in any way a crutch. I take medication when I need it. I encourage others to, as well. When sick, I receive medication as God's gift. One of my best friends, who has a strong belief in God's healing and often prays for the sick, is a pharmacist. Historically, some of the healing evangelists of the early 1900's, probably because they experienced seasons where they saw God heal a large majority of those they prayed for, taught that the use of medicine was a sign of unbelief. I disagree with that entirely. Two people I have read and respect on the subject of healing are Francis McNutt and John Wimber. Their experience is that sometimes God heals supernaturally. At other times, He heals through medication and prayer (where God's response to prayer makes the medication more effective than it otherwise would have been). Sometimes a healing is partial - there is improvement - but not a complete healing. And at other times no discernible healing takes place. So while UGA Wesley affirms the power and efficacy of healing prayer - we also acknowledge that there is a mystery to healing that is beyond our full understanding.

With regard to our theology of healing, as in all things, I look to Jesus. He is God. As such, His heart is identical to that of the Father. The gospels indicate that Jesus healed everyone who came to Him. And He sent His disciples out to do the same things He had been doing (Mt10). Never once did Jesus say, "I'm not going to heal this because this sickness is from God and He's using it to make you a better person." I know God didn't deliver Paul from the thorn in his side. But the text in no way implies Paul was struggling with a sickness. Scripture leads me to believe sickness originated in the fall and is the work of the enemy. It also teaches that Jesus' heart was to heal the sickness that was brought to Him and that Jesus is the same forever - He never changes.

I don't really have a good explanation as to why we don't experience more healing. I simply try to be grateful for all that God does do - believing it to be an expression of His love and grace. But looking to Jesus' example, I always pray believing that He would heal whatever it is we're praying for if He were physically here with us - because that's what He did when He walked the earth. I praise God when we experience His healing and I trust Him when we do not.