explanations

For an age supposedly committed to science, we’re sure hard to persuade. In fact, it seems like every technological advance makes us more skeptical; we used to trust audio tapes, then photos, and then video. Now that all of those can be doctored, we don’t buy any of them. Unless, of course, they support our point of view. But all kinds of evidence that doesn’t support our side is explained away.

That’s not exactly new. I ran across a case of exactly that sort of thing this morning while reading in John 12. Jesus explained in part of that chapter that the time for his sacrifice was getting close, and then his monologue ended this way, in verses 27-29: 

“‘Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? “Father, save me from this hour”? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!’

“Then a voice came from heaven, ‘I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.’ The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.”

How often haven’t we said, “If only God would make it plain - why can’t he just tell us!” But this is a time when God spoke and people heard. They must have heard words, because some said it was an angel speaking. Others, even though there were words, couldn’t deal with it and instead chose to believe it was just thunder.

But no one, despite the evidence of Jesus’ life and even with the lead in of Jesus’ speech, accepted the truth that Jesus’ father, God himself, had spoken.

Why are we so reluctant to believe? What does it take for us to have faith? What if God himself spoke to us?

He did. And he does.