Expecting the One...and Bill Cosby?

Today: Matthew 11-12

"When you meet the One, you'll just know."

Really?

You may think the quote above comes from the Message version of the Bible (since that's what we're reading and all). It doesn't. It's common philosophy passed on to single people everywhere. And while today's passage had absolutely nothing to do with being single or being married, there were a few things in it that reminded me of the holy grail--the search for "the One"--and the expectations many people have, whether searching for a "soulmate"...or the promised Messiah.

Here's what I mean--our expectations for the One may be very different from the real person or the real God--so much so that we may not recognize the One at first sight.

In chapter 11, John the Baptist is in prison, but sends his disciples to ask Jesus an important question:

"Are you the One we've been expecting, or are we still waiting?"

Jesus replies:

"Go back and tell John what's going on:

The blind see,

The lame walk,

Lepers are cleansed,

The deaf hear,

The dead are raised,

The wretched of the earth learn that God is on their side."

Is this what you were expecting?

Then count yourselves most blessed!"

I love His response because it's not just a simple, "Yes" or "No." It's a "Take a look at the evidence for yourself and decide" kind of answer--similar to later in the passage when He instructs that, "The fruit tells you about the tree."


When Jesus sounds (a little) like Bill Cosby...

Okay, so I may be stretching (quite a bit probably!), but does anyone remember Bill Cosby's ads for Jell-O pudding in the 80s? I think Jesus sounded a bit like the trusted Cos here:

John came fasting and they called him crazy.

I came feasting and they called me a lush,

a friend of the riffraff.

Opinion polls don't count for much, do they?

The proof of the pudding is in the eating.

Well...Jesus wasn't trying to sell pudding pops I guess. :)

Instead, He was basically saying that people had built-in expectations for John and for Him--what they should do, who they should hang out with. Depending on who you talked to, you probably would have heard a different list of what "the One" should be. I love how He taught, "the proof is in the pudding."

But wait, there's more...

(Now I sound like a TV pitch woman!). Later in the passage, it looks like He contradicts the quote above when He says:

"....The only proof you're going to get

is what looks like the absence of proof..."

Confused? Don't be. It all goes back to the idea of expectations. You see, the religious leaders were asking Jesus for evidence--they were putting him on the spot to see His credentials, the signs and wonders they expected the Messiah to perform.

I think it's interesting that Jesus didn't perform a miracle. He had the credentials they wanted. We know He already healed people. But Jesus knew their motives...and was making a point.

"You're looking for proof, but you're looking for the wrong kind.

All you want is something to titillate your curiosity,

satisfy your lust for miracles."

I think He's speaking to their "If you're the Messiah, then you'll fit into the mold of our expectations"-hoity-toity (did I just write that?!?) attitude.

But guess what? He defies expectations. And there's something pretty cool about that.

Tomorrow: Matthew 13-14

Faith to let go

Today (note: this was for Tues. 8-18): Matthew 9-10

“I need to find myself” is a common thought many people have…at least in college. When you receive a diploma, there’s an unwritten expectation that now you know yourself. Your life is on a path. You’re headed for grad school or the Real World (and for most of us, that doesn’t involve an MTV film crew).

Most of us want to find ourselves in something…a guy, career, sport, music, kids…you name it. And as much as those things can be amazing, you can completely lose yourself in them as well.
But here’s what Jesus said:

If your first concern is to look after yourself,
you’ll never find yourself.
But if you forget about yourself
and look to me,
you’ll find both yourself and me.

I’ll admit--that sounds kind of bizarre. It’s a total paradox. But one of the defining characteristics of faith is the willingness to let go.

Letting go is not always easy—but it can be freeing. I remember the first time a professional driver picked me up at home for a business trip. It was 4:00 AM (and I am NOT a morning person!), but the car and its leather seats were cozy. The driver was friendly and I knew he had done this job many times before. I totally trusted this stranger to take me to the airport. I didn’t turn into a backseat driver because I knew this guy was a professional. I was free to sleep, eat, or put on make-up in the back—I didn’t want to be in the driver’s seat. I felt a little bit like a celebrity--it was really nice!

But it definitely has to be the right driver and the right car. Trust me—I’ve had several taxi rides already where I was a complete nervous wreck in the back!

Faith is always a risk—and so is love. However, the payoff can be pretty incredible. And sleeping the backseat of a town car doesn’t come close to what happened with the bleeding woman in this passage. Even according to Jesus, her willingness to let go played a role in her miracle. He said:

“You took a risk of faith and now you’re well.”

I hope the same words could be said about all of us.

Tomorrow: Matthew 11-12