Faith and fear

March 24, 2021 (Wednesday)

 

Miracles are rare, that’s why we call them miracles. Only eyes enlightened by faith can correctly see, identify, and understand a miracle. Their rarity leads us to seek other explanations. Maybe that’s a human problem. Maybe it’s much more.

 

One would think the amount of miracles Jesus did when He walked the earth would have attracted attention. This attention would merit investigation and careful thought on the part of religious leaders and people alike. Unfortunately John notes, “But despite all the miraculous signs Jesus had done, most of the people still did not believe in him.” [John 12:37 NLT]

 

One theological idea is “illumination.” This piece of theology essentially states that unless God provides understanding, humans are not able (or willing) to understand.  For instance, before returning to the Father Jesus detailed how all of Scripture described Him. Only after that did they truly see Jesus (see Luke 24:27 – 31, 44 -- 45). Specifically we are told, “Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.” [Luke 24:45 ESV]

 

The other side of “illumination” is also accurate, quoting Isaiah Jesus warns, “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, lest they see with their eyes, and understand with their heart, and turn, and I would heal them.” [John 12:40 ESV] Jesus was quoting Isaiah’s call, which include these instructions: “Make the heart of this people dull, and their ears heavy, and blind their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.” [Isaiah 6:10 ESV] In other words it was the prophet’s task to keep people from believing. It runs completely counter to American theology.

 

There are times when God intends to judge and expose. These are times when God prunes. To this purpose, His servants are tasked with the very unpleasant task of blinding, hardening, and dulling. In John we see this dynamic at work. “Many people did believe in him, however, including some of the Jewish leaders. But they wouldn’t admit it for fear that the Pharisees would expel them from the synagogue.” [John 12:42 NLT]

 

There is a popular culture icon who is quoted as saying, “Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering.” [Yoda, Star Wars] if we think about it, everything leads to something else. We fear when we feel things are out of our control. Jesus followers were afraid to admit it because they would lose something. My suspicions is fear leads to a lot of other things, but at its core fear is a motivator or restrainer.

 

What was it that triggered this fear? I am so glad you asked!!! John explains, “For they loved human praise more than the praise of God.” [John 12:43 NLT] Yikes! Here are “Jesus believers” who are not “Jesus followers.” The willingness to believe does not necessarily lead to transformation.

 

Jesus clearly states what He expects, “I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.” [John 12:46 ESV] Yet here is the sticky question, how can someone believe in Jesus but be unwilling to admit it or openly follow Jesus? The easy answer is, I don’t know. The harder one is that these people are in a situation that generates fear of possible loss. Maybe loss of life.

 

Don’t judge. How many times do we remain silent when we need to stand up and be counted? How many times do we stand by and not give witness? If following Jesus was a crime, would there be evidence?