besquared.org Blog

Today’s Text

This is a great story. There is so much that is wonderful about this story. I will probably bounce a around and touch a on a few things and then settle in on how we prove a spiritual reality.

For starters, notice that this is just one of those days. Luke is showing us that this event is intended to be representative of Jesus ministry. Not that these specific things happened a lot but that Jesus was during this time focusing on a teaching ministry that included both interaction with theological challenges and response to local needs.
Second, take a look at the role of faith in this text. In verse 20 we find Jesus making reference to the collective faith of these men. I have always wondered if we should draw any significant theological conclusions from that. Practically however this story is a reminder to me that the ministry of bringing someone to meet Jesus remains a vital part of the Christian life and may just result in their forgiveness and healing.
Third, Notice what Jesus is claiming. This is big. In our theologically unaware culture we are often too quick to hear things at face value. Jesus’ claim to forgive sins is not merely a claim of a specific spiritual ability. Rather, it is an identity claim as his opponents rightly understand. When he discerns his opponents questions, he does not counter by saying, “You misunderstand. Let me explain to you how I am able to forgive sins apart from being God.” Rather he affirms the connection they have made. This is certainly not the only text in this regard, but this is among th important texts that demonstrate that Jesus thought he was God.
Now finally, notice how he proves it. I find it immensely gratifying that Jesus was willing to prove his dramatic spiritual claim. He could have said, well I really can forgive sins and you will just have to take my word for it. But instead he recognizes that the burden of proof lies with him and not his opponents and so he responds to their appropriate doubt and demonstrates his great power. The point of course is that he cannot independently verify the claim to forgive sins so the only thing he can do is demonstrate by a related and verifiable display of power that something remarkable is happening here. He asks which is harder and this question sis a bit of a paradox. Actual forgiveness is of course harder than healing, but to claim forgiveness is easy (much the faith healers who are able to “cure” diseases which only they have been able to diagnose). To claim to make someone walk however is quite bold because it is easy to verify.

I still think that Christians are making incredible (as in beyond belief) claims. And I think we should expect people to scoff. For instance we Christians occasionally claim things like, “Christ lives in me”, “God speaks to me”, “I have been gifted by the Holy Spirit”, I can talk to God”, “the Bible is God’s word”, “Jesus rose from the dead”, etc.  I think that it is acceptable for the world to question this language.  And I think that we should be prepared to respond with a “but so that you may know” response.  I am impressed with the philosophical integrity and strength of the Christian faith, but am increasingly convinced that the way we will demonstrate this strength is through lives well lived.  Likewise I appreciate the spiritual reality of the life of faith, but I don’t think that we can expect to directly appeal to this part of our faith.  Rather I think that we need to be prepared with our “but so that you may know.”

I am not sure exactly what this will but it must be something that can be observed and measured by the world.  It must be something that is not easily explained in other ways.

At the very least it must include:Service, Sacrifice, Generosity, Joy, Living Free from guilt, Progressive politics (just kidding),

I wonder how you would end the sentence, “But so that you may know that Christ lives in me, ______________________.”