Snippets from Philip Yancey’s The Jesus I Never Knew

Jesus could have rejected the Father’s will- cup of suffering. No kingdom would have to advance like a mustard seed. The kingdom would rather- descend like a hailstorm. Yoder: the cross- the ‘cup’ was the very reason Jesus came to earth. Here we have a man who loves his enemies, who being rich became poor, who gave his robe to those who took his cloak, who prayed for those who spitefully used him. The cross was not a detour or hurdle on the way to the kingdom nor was it even the way to the kingdom, it was the kingdom come!

On religious wars:
No one thinks modern Italians responsible for what their forefathers did 19 centuries ago. Jews- far less guilty of the death of Jesus than Greeks who are guilty of the death of Socrates. Who will now avenge the blood of Socrates upon his countrymen? Yet this 1900 years past, the world continues to avenge the blood of Jesus upon countrymen.

Karl Barth: Jesus does not confess His Messiahship until the moment when the danger of founding a religion is finally past. Only when He was weak, rejected and utterly alone did He accept the title ‘Christ’ and reveal himself. What happens to us when we are alone seeking Him? Christ reveals himself. God happens. Not religion.

Test of individual greatness:
1. What did they leave to grow?
2. Did they start men to think along fresh lines of vigour after them?
Jesus stands 1st here. He is the dividing point of history and our lives. What we think about God and how we respond determines our destiny for eternity. Some of us looking for Jesus don’t see past our own noses.

William Blake:
The vision of Christ that thou see,
Is my greatest enemy,
Thine has a great hook nose like thine,
Mine has a snub nose like mine,
Both read the Bible day and night,
But thou readst black where I read white.

Walter Wink: If Jesus never lived, it would be impossible to invent Him.

Often the work of God has two sides: Great joy and great pain. An oxymoron: a humble God.
A different kind of glory than we know: The glory of humility.

Father Neville Figgis: The fact that God is great does not need to be taught by God to men. Fear is a primary emotion while approaching God.

God’s act of mercy is seen as cruelty. His attempts to heal seen as destruction. The playwright became a character in the play. Word became flesh. History is His Story. Jesus’ sensibilities is affected most by the poor or pressed underdogs.

Rom 12:3: faith is the process of proving the perfect will of God.

Love consents to all and commands only those who consent. Love is abdication. God is abdication- Simone Weil.

The temptations on Jesus:
1. Garden: Can you be like God?
2. Wilderness: Can you be truly a human?
They seemed like Jesus’ prerogatives. Qualities of the Messiah. Prove himself and worship Satan. Therefore, man’s conflict with Satan always concerns proving himself and who he worships. The devil is farsighted. He looked at only what is big or high and attached himself to it. He does not see Jesus’ capacity of humble association with sinful people. Satan wants Jesus to dazzle him with Godlike acts. Jesus on the other hand: only God makes these decisions. I will not do it at your command.
Satan tempted Jesus to the good parts of his being i.e. to savour bread without rules of hunger and agriculture, to confront risk without danger, to enjoy fame without the prospect of rejection= to wear a crown without a cross. These are what us, his followers still long for.
Malcolm Muggeridge: Jesus had but to give a nod of agreement and He could construct Christendom not on 4 shaky gospels and a defeated man on the cross but on sound economic principles. Every utopia brought to pass and every dream come true. Satan offers Him to be the Messiah we think we want. We don’t want a suffering Messiah.

Jesus rebuked Peter though Peter recoiled in defense of Him at his prediction of suffering: “You do not have in mind the things of God but of men.” Peter’s words were again a temptation by Satan to an easier way. On the cross the last temptation was by the criminal: “Aren’t you Christ? Save yourself!”
Jesus surrendered his greatest advantage: the power to compel belief.

Russia: attempts to compel morality produced defiant subjects and tyrannical rulers who lose their moral core.
The lesson of the Temptation is that goodness cannot be imposed externally from top to bottom. It must grow internally from bottom up.
The profound difference between God’s power and Satan’s power is that Satan coerces, forces obedience. destroys and dazzles. Humans learn much from this.
God’s powers are internal. It is not coercive. He does not enslave man by miracles and He craves free-given faith- not based on miracles. This may at times seem like weakness because it is relentlessly dependent on human choice. Love is abdication! Love can be rendered powerless as every parent and lover knows if the beloved chooses to spurn it.

Soren Kiekergaard: Omnipotence which can lay its hand so heavily on the world can make its touch so light that the creature receives independence.
Sometimes we wish God would use a heavier touch. Our faith suffers from too much freedom- too much temptations to disbelief. We want God to constantly overwhelm us, overcome us with certainty, flick Hitler off the world. We are like Satan- hurling temptations at God.

To love righteousness is to make it grow, not to avenge it.

He would not force himself on those who are not willing. Ivan Karamazov: the ‘miracle’ of restraint’.
Only love can summon love. The reason He created us. That is how love is. Love is the only power in conquering a human’s heart.

When people accuse someone of a Saviour complex- it is an obsession over curing other people’s problems. The true Saviour is free from this. He does not cure those who are not ready to be cured. God persuades instead of using fear. People start to use manipulative techniques to win a soul. Believe! Don’t ask questions! Jesus was not like that at all.

The worship of success is the form of idol worship which the devil cultivates most assiduously- Helmut Thielicke on the German church’s early infatuation with Hitler.
We are willing to trade away certain freedoms for success and protection. When these temptations arise, we should return to Jesus in the desert. Jesus resisted Satan, preserved me for the very freedom I exercise in my own temptations. Pray for patience because he has gone through it and will help us.

Jesus is different from world masters: He pointed the truth rather than seek it. Peter and Andrew abandoned their fishing business- ironically after Jesus gave them the most successful fishing day ever.

The value of apocryphal things and such lies in the contrast with the truth.

Bits and Pieces

We can honour and respect man but we should not deify him.

We have 3 judgments: our conscience, society and Christ.

Natural light is not the same as philosophical light.

One day, a rich man in New York had a very ill kid. He had many properties and the kid was his only heir. He had no meaning in life so he called the doctors who could not help but recommended him a doctor in Long Island far away from where he was. However, the doctor said that if he wanted his services he would have to wait. Past midnight, the doctor did not come. At that time there was no mobile phones yet. The rich man could not drive himself so he blocked a car and asked a man to fetch him. The man refused because he was on an urgent business. He killed the man to get the car. The man was the doctor. The only person who could save him was killed by him. Today our relationship between the world and God is just like this. In John, it says that He came and the earth did not receive him. He created the world and they crucified Him.

The process of appreciation: Pause. Think. Analyse. Compare.

Weak foundations are easy to nail in, also easy to rip out.

We ARE His witnesses. Not TO BE or TO DO, TO BOAST or to SAY. We are, as ourselves and who we are every minute we breathe.

As the moon reflects the sun, so we reflect Christ. But, the moon is NOT the sun.

The Bible has 4 Gospels. It is consistent that when someone hears from God, there be witnesses.

Slow to speak. Once the speech is wrong, many people will be affected.

Postcard from my PhD-mate Steve

Thanks buddy!

(Myth busted: You can actually write over the address lines and the postcard will still be delivered!)

3 things I learnt. Thanks to Girlfriend:)

At last, I have arrived in London. Sitting at Starbucks St Pancreas Station, I am wondering how I survived a 12-hour stop-over sandwiched between two 7-hour flights before getting here. But fatigue is nowhere at the forefront of my mind. The 12-hour transit might have been one of the most interesting learning expereinces for me, for the following reasons:

1. http://debbiemuses.wordpress.com/2009/08/04/road-angst/ I may have never heard a more soul-moving testimony than this one. Prayer – and indeed, the sharing of one’s testimony – should seldom be focused on the Self; rather it should exalt Him. Such was the impact of this testimony that I found myself praying more than ever after I read it. Nothing of a miracle in the physical realm, but definitely one of spiritual encouragement. Definitely worth anyone’s read – especially if you drive (in Malaysia).

2. http://www.freerice.com/ A website which facilitates a donation from sponsors of 10 grains of rice to the poor per correct answer you get. Not only did I help the poor, but I also learnt that it is ‘I learnt about his (not him) winning the comptetition’; and that it is ‘Jane, as well as her friend, is (not are) coming’.

3. Lee Strobel’s Case for a Creator, and Stephen Hawking’s A Brief History of Time. I have always known that science is the beauty of God, but never has it been this clear to me that science also points us to Him. Nothing happens (or happened) by chance, unless one decides to be ignorant . And this decision to be ignorant takes more ‘faith’ (in the light of scientific advancement) than to conclude that He created the universe and everything in it.

*

Sitting here at Starbucks, I cannot help but be overwhelmingly thankful to God for bringing Debbie in my life. Not only has she been a constant spiritual blessing to me, but I also have her to thank for making me read Hawking’s Brief History of Time and for knocking me out of my ignorance to realise the horrific state of my English grammar, as her patient proof-reading of my PhD draft has revealed. Without her, there would be none of the preceding paragraphs; and sitting at Starbucks would not bear the meaning it does, given the numerous times she patiently bore with me while I wrote my draft at Starbucks in Borders. Missing her is an understatement; and my love for her cannot be overstated.

Edit: on a random note – there’s this guy behind me whistling a free-style improv to the tune playing at Starbucks now. What the bug (ck)…

Road Angst

Had quite a rough day today. Ying left, I went to tuition on a pasar malam night. The place was jammed pack with mean drivers. I circled new territories and felt down already. I parked at a normal parking spot. Taught a tiring class to an irresponsive, slobbering boy. Came out at 915pm to find my car sandwiched very rudely between 2 big cars leaving me less than a feet of space both sides. How great for me that I parked so straight today. I felt so down.

I prayed and asked for calmness. I thought it through. With my KL experience I knew it was pretty much suicide to call the owners of the cars out although I knew which houses they must belong to. The housing area was a wealthy one and the car behind me was a sports car- indicative of a young, hot-tempered man and the car in front was a big honda or some sort. KL taught me that once they can park that way knowing you are in the center means they could give a rats tooshie about your convenience and to remind them of it would be again, suicide.

So, I prayed and I began the tumultuous task of turning the non-power steering wheel. I prayed before attempting the solution. I have to admit, I did not believe or think that it could change my crumbling self at that moment but miraculously it did. The past posts on the importance of prayer was really strengthening to me. To pray before a trial/difficulty/temptation… I faced the temptation of anger and overwhelming soul-sucking kinda self-pity. I prayed a quick prayer and turned. After tons of turning with onlookers(eating at the hawkers) watching me, I made it out, without a scratch. My habitual self proceeded then, almost obligatorily, to introspect. I found that I was not angered in anyway. Or sweating from my back as historical frustrating turns have proven to cause. (Also, this was these turns were the worst by far because of the stagnant and close proximity of the cars.) I was not frazzled. Rather a phrase came to my mind: God is sovereign. He oversees it all. I’m really thankful for His grace today.

There may have been better choices by others if put in the same position as mine. But what I’ve learnt is that, most importantly, submission to God changes me, rather than the situation. The outcome could have still been disastrous and it wouldn’t have meant that God was not there. It would have meant that the other person has things to learn or I still do. Either way, the varying factors are not an indication of God forsaking us because he never will.  What I took away from this is how prayer changed me, my thoughts, my disposition, my outlook and behaviour in general. The non-praying me would probably have wasted this opportunity to gain peace. She would then be tossing and turning at this unfortunate event and asking WHY GOD WHY TODAY WHEN YOU KNEW ITS A HARD DAY. Totally blinded by the harsh circumstances, blind to God’s hidden grace on me. Also, this event serves to remind me as well as others reading this that everytime when we drive or are in a place of control/power- eg: behind a wheel, being a boss, leading a group of people, taking any responsibility, owning a home, a business etc. we should never ever let spite determine our actions. In thoughts like “Let them suffer for it.”, “Let them this and that.”, we forget that we are in no place to judge others. Deserving or not, our attitude must be correct and judgment lies not with us but with Him. The word REVENGE is a strong one. Often pictured together with a Chinese series or some dramatic play. Unassociated with everyday life. But revenge is often unspoken in society and it is surprisingly easy on the road. We as Christians barely realise how evil our thoughts are on the road. It seems to have fallen into a sanctified loophole in our minds. No one thinks it wrong or even an issue. If you pause to think of it, you will realise, the thoughts are so diabolical. Why have we allowed ourselves to have an evil outlet in driving? Everytime we face a temptation to commit revenge on the road, we ought to pray.

Of Prayer and Tour de France

Ever wondered why the riders always end up riding in a line. I have. Interestingly, it’s because the riders take turns leading the pack against the resistance of the wind despite being competitors. The few who try to break out of the league and sprint forward early are the ones that will most probably be the last in the end. So, they each have each others back in a way.

This illustration very much suits the church in terms of encouraging and praying for one another. The theme of my whole week has been prayer. Pray before temptation was today’s. As many of us should know by now, ‘fire-fighting’ is useless. Prevention is better than cure. We know all the idioms and sayings. Umbrella for rainy days, weather predictions and forecasts results are things we thrive among. So it should be no surprise that we should pray before facing temptations. Since we know not of when it may strike, we pray often. Just as how Christ stayed on watch in the garden of Gethsemane. Prayer somehow, for me I’ve found is more useful than it is when a phobia arises. Jesus FACED the enemy. I ran and prayed whilst a-running feeling weaker as I ran. Meanwhile the latter is a natural response, it is not the way to grow. How did He manage to be calm once the events started rolling. He was distressed alone. Prayer is a 24/7 online channel to God. So through this channel, God edifies. God assures. Jesus reiterates the Father’s sovereignty and reminds himself of his mission. Prayer strengthens because of the focus on God. Calmness and peace enters through the Holy Spirit. It all works. The Bible also says that the devil tempts at the opportune time. It is that time that prayer guards against.

I found a renewed and humbled understanding of prayer.

Prayer edifies us rather than persuading  God to do something.

How then do we react when we receive commands contrary to our thinking or understanding? We pray. Heb 5:7-8: He prayed to God who was able to save Him from death. God heard Jesus’ prayer because of His Godly Fear. Yet He learnt obedience by the things which he suffered.

Our prayer is ALWAYS compelled by a limited understanding of extraneous circumstances. God sees things in the bigger picture. Nevertheless, this is how we were designed. It is the approach by which we pray which determines if our prayers are sanctified ones or mere wishlists/complaints.

Our trials are very important. God wants us to learn obedience in our walk with Him. Now, here there is a tendency to think that “Oh so you mean God sends us tough times until we learn to obey?” Again the focus is wrong. That is why this area is so difficult to reconcile as Christians. 2 Cor 12,13 speaks of the expert builder and boasting etc. It also talks about Christ being the foundation which we build upon individually. The building will be tested by fire. For what good are we as followers of Christ  if we can’t withstand the testing of God? Withstanding with His grace and strength as all things come from Him, through Him and To Him that we might not boast. So, with Christ, indeed in THIS context, all things are possible.

We do not change the world alone. We do not touch lives alone. For God makes all things grow. Many times in our earnest and at times prideful prayer, we forget whose Hand holds our lives and the world. We say, God change this nation. Change the world. Change our leaders. Change my friend. Change my circumstances. Change this and that.

We are rarely silent to hear(not audible yells or the oh so common exclamation: God said yes to my car, girlfriend, house through the dropping of a leaf or an anonymous cheque etc. It is God’s WILL! Who are we lowly men to proclaim we know His will!!) but more concretely and spiritually significant: with the humbling of this prideful man in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who causes us to awe at God’s sovereignty and grants us peace through the calamity around us.

As C.S Lewis accurately puts it, “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks to us in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: It is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”

Ah.. I always find good preaching of the Word of God causes a great sense of humility and awe of God. One leaves with an insatiable desire to hear more of His goodness and how it complements our frailty. It magnifies God and lessens us until we are completely engulfed in His glory.

Mother Theresa was interviewed by Dan Rather who asked her what does she say to God when she prays. She answered, “I listen.” He smiled and then asked, “What does God say?”

“He listens.”

How beautiful is the edification of prayer in our relationship with the Lord! We know He always hears everything when we have Godly fear as Christians. We can cry to Him anytime but the understanding that some things we need to learn from, is indispensable in our laying of bricks atop our foundation. Then might our prayers be deeper and sanctified.

“Effective prayer”, “Transforming Prayer” etc. happens inwards first then through the transformation of ourselves may we affect the world around us by pouring out our renewed strength, patience and all the other fruits of the Spirit to the people in need around us.

I don’t often spend more than half an hour in prayer at one time, but I never go more than half an hour without praying~Smith Wigglesworth

Intercession means that we rouse ourselves up to get the mind of Christ about the one for whom we pray. ~ Oswald Chambers

Prayer is not so much an act as it is an attitude—an attitude of dependency, dependency upon God. –Arthur W. Pink

We must alter our lives in order to alter our hearts, for it is impossible to live one way and pray another. –William Law

Pray often, for prayer is a shield to the soul, a sacrifice to God, and a scourge for Satan –John Bunyan