Incredible Moment at Nain
After the last post I am sorely tempted to stand down, keep my opinions to myself, or at least contribute to the discussion with carefully chosen words of praise and thanksgiving... but... if anything I have always been a (somewhat reckless) risk taker, opening my mouth and engaging my foot on more than one occasion. So what should be different now?
I'll launch right in. Gire says "That is what is so incredible." referring to the fact that this miracle was not prompted by faith or supplication. My response is: why so incredible? when you take into account the awesome and immense compassion of God. My intuition says that God is exactly so incredible and such a mystery that I stand with my mouth gaping at any example of Grace, especially ones I didn't ask for, especially ones I may feel are undeserved.
There are so many instances in Scripture where Jesus exemplifies this amazing compassion, and in turn riles the authorities bringing down a raft of condemnation on his own head and the heads of his disciples. He shows us who God is, how God works. This is not the first (or last) time he brings someone back to life, either physically or spiritually. The raising of Lazarus just happened to be too public and too close to Jerusalem for those same authorities to ignore. Some believe Lazarus was the beginning of the end for Jesus, but maybe it was just the straw that broke the camel's back. We so like to stick God in the box we can understand (and I am certainly no different than anyone in this). When He won't fit we get nervous, angry, and very uneasy. Fear of God can also be translated as Awe of God, as opposed to being afraid of God. How blessed we are when that fear transforms into awe and wonder. We shake our heads and laugh with joy... and fall on our knees in thanksgiving.
I'll launch right in. Gire says "That is what is so incredible." referring to the fact that this miracle was not prompted by faith or supplication. My response is: why so incredible? when you take into account the awesome and immense compassion of God. My intuition says that God is exactly so incredible and such a mystery that I stand with my mouth gaping at any example of Grace, especially ones I didn't ask for, especially ones I may feel are undeserved.
There are so many instances in Scripture where Jesus exemplifies this amazing compassion, and in turn riles the authorities bringing down a raft of condemnation on his own head and the heads of his disciples. He shows us who God is, how God works. This is not the first (or last) time he brings someone back to life, either physically or spiritually. The raising of Lazarus just happened to be too public and too close to Jerusalem for those same authorities to ignore. Some believe Lazarus was the beginning of the end for Jesus, but maybe it was just the straw that broke the camel's back. We so like to stick God in the box we can understand (and I am certainly no different than anyone in this). When He won't fit we get nervous, angry, and very uneasy. Fear of God can also be translated as Awe of God, as opposed to being afraid of God. How blessed we are when that fear transforms into awe and wonder. We shake our heads and laugh with joy... and fall on our knees in thanksgiving.
posted by Claire Joy at
6:05 AM
3 Comments:
"Fear of God can also be translated as Awe of God, as opposed to being afraid of God."
Oh how I wish this statement could be heard in every church where there are children present! I remember growing up and being told to fear God - that it was right to FEAR God. I, of course, thought He was someone to be afraid of - not to in AWE of.
And yes, in times of sin, I do probably feel "fear" of God - or at least of His judgment - but I no longer feel FEAR for God and THAT has been one of the best parts of my whole journey so far.
By
HeyJules, at 8:09 AM
Amen, Sister!! We do like to stick God in a box and there isn't any fitting Him in there!
By
Pilot Mom, at 9:10 AM
CJ, what a great last paragraph - fear turning to awe... love that viewpoint... Im glad that you are a risk-taker
By
dangermama, at 10:04 AM
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