Prove it

One of my old camping buddies does some ministry work with incarcerated teens. That is, young people in jail. They are searching for hope and change in their lives - my friend shows them an authentic, incorruptible source, in the Gospel of Jesus.

Not all are easily convinced. He says a common challenge is, "prove to me that Jesus is the Messiah." 

My friend is a mature, well-read, well-prayed, and well-tested Christian, so he has answers:

The bible settings and cities have been proven historically accurate.

The bible itself has been consistently and accurately recorded and copied over millenniums.

The prophets in bible text detailed the specific attributes, timing and geography of the coming Messiah, and his demise. Jesus fulfilled the prophecies accurately (to an astonishingly high mathematical probability).

Jesus acknowledged himself as the Messiah, Son of God and was validated by prophetic fulfillment, miracles, transformed lives and eyewitness accounts. (he was either a liar or the real deal -- but he could not just be a 'good man.'  )

In addition, the rag tag group of people (disciples) who initially scattered at his well-documented crucifixion, were later willing to proclaim his resurrected return to life, at their own peril. They were intolerantly hunted down and killed for their recount of true events (as still happens in parts of our world). They had nothing to gain by recounting his redemptive role in history.

That's what my friend explains to these young people who are seeking the Truth. 

But in today's world, even as we celebrate the Passion of our Lord Jesus at Easter time, I sent an email back to my friend. Because I wonder why we are ever more on the defensive about our spiritual diversity. The faith we have in this Messiah, this Saviour - is inextricably merged with redemption, and his teachings of unconditional love, mercy, forgiveness, kindness and compassion - unlike any other philosophy or secular morality in our midst.

My friend's email gave the challenge - posed by these young people he helps to liberate, who are imprisoned because of directionless choices and corrupt moral compasses - "Prove to me that Jesus is the Messiah."

And I messaged back,

"Prove to me that He is not."

What do you believe?

Confession Time

I have a confession to make.

Something kind of snuck up on me, and even when I realized it - I was slow to make things right. Too slow!

Here's what happened.

I enjoy reading a good mystery novel - particularly murder mysteries. Nothing wrong with that. There are some fantastic Christian authors - Frank Peretti, Ted Dekker, Randy Alcorn, Terri Blackstock - have all written great stuff, some of it in the murder-mystery-thriller genre.

But last year I gravitated toward a popular secular author someone had recommended to me. I had actually listened to a few spoken word audio books by the same author before finally reading a paperback. Pretty prolific writer - dozens of titles.

Problem was/is that her characters frequently use the Lord's name in vain. Particularly the name of Jesus, in their casual conversation. Now, initially my wife and I cringed a few times during the audio tape drives on long highway trips. But the stories were really good. Great prose. LIke I said, I really like a good mystery novel. I figured, "contemporary speech, you can't avoid it."

But this year the burden finally hit me. Particularly as I read a few of the paperbacks.

The words on the page were impossible to ignore. A few times before bed I had just finished reading my bible. One night I was even preparing for bible study the next day - and then I picked up the novel before going to sleep. It wasn't right, more or less condoning the coarse, casual epithets about my friend - my Saviour, Jesus. 

Anyway, long story short - I realized the gig was up. I couldn't justify reading more of it, on purpose, when it was abundantly clear that this author would habitually use the Lord's name in vain, in every book, and with more than one character. There's salt, and then there's salt.

So - and this really killed me - I stopped one of the books in mid-read and returned it to the person who had originally recommended the author, explaining my dilemma.

Wait, there's more. I've got more to confess.

This person said, "I know how much you like this author, and it really is just the slang of the characters - how about if I go through the book and black out all the curse words for you? Then you don't have to read them."

Now, first of all...there's a real friend for you!  But the worst thing is....I considered it. Just for a minute, but I considered it. No,  I can't enlist your help to read the curse words yourself, and then pretend that I'm not a party to the...sin.  Yeah, it's a sin.

Exodus 20:7  "You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God."

I'm sorry Jesus. I can do better.

And I promise not to ask anyone else how the story I gave back ends!

What do you believe?