When You Can’t Stand a Miracle

One of the most amazing stories in the Bible is when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. To have the audacity to stand before a grave, with an audience where everyone knew the man was dead, and command him to rise from the dead is no little thing. A failure from Jesus at this miracle would have been catastrophic. Imagine if he had commanded Lazarus, and Lazarus did not rise? I mean why even try to raise the dead. 

But Jesus’ purpose extended beyond even this event. He was revealing to his followers, the crowds, and even his enemies that he had authority over death. Jesus claimed, “I am the resurrection and the life.” Not only did Jesus make this claim for Lazarus’ resurrection, but more importantly, his own. The resurrection of Lazarus caused many to believe in Jesus, which is not surprising. 

But not all believed. Lazarus’ resurrection caused many religious leaders to hate Jesus even more. Because people were following Jesus, he represented a loss of power, influence, and control for the religious leaders. They plotted not only to kill Jesus, but also Lazarus (John 12:10-11). How upset do you have to be to plot the murder of someone raised from the dead and someone who could raise the dead? They couldn’t stand the miracle. 

But they are not alone. The religious leaders of Jesus’ day are representative of many in our day. Atheists and evolutionists reject the miracle of creation. Muslims reject the miracle of the incarnation and Jesus’ deity. Others simply reject the possibility of the miraculous because they can’t rationalize it. 

But the issue is not really one of evidence or argument. It is ultimately an issue of authority. You see if there is a God who created everything, who came in human flesh, who died for the sins of the world, and who holds power over death, then that God has authority. We will have to answer to him. We are accountable to him. What it means when people can’t stand a miracle is that they don’t want to answer to the one who can do the miracle.

The Tragedy Of Art As An Expression Of Reality

Francis Schaeffer recognized forty years ago that philosophy and theology follow art. Today, art comes in all forms. Rap songs that glorify sex and violence. Plays that depict the President being assasinated. A comedian holding a mock severed head of the President. Media and movies that stylize filth, debauchery, violence and murder. These are forms of “art” we are told. It is argued that “artists” and “comedians” are supposed to push boundaries, to cross lines, and to challenge comfort zones.

However it is frightening to consider these pieces of “art” might just be real. After all Picasso opined, “When we invented cubism, we had no intention of inventing cubism, but simply of expressing what was in us.”
Are these modern expressions of “art” mere self-expressions? If so, we are in deep trouble. Marcel Duchamps, another 20th century postmodern artist claimed, “It is the viewer that completes the artwork.” Could it be? Could it be that the politcal violence witnessed today with the shooting of a congressman, aides and police officers is the extension into real life of art?

Our only solution is real change. I don’t mean coming together for short moments of unity. But rather a geniune recognition that the deep seated problems with culture, art, politics, and individual citizens are all the same. We were created in God’s image, but have chosen to reject his right to rule us. We chose self, sin, violence, evil. We do not need togetherness. We do not need diligence. In our sinful condition that will ultimately lead to more diligent, unified sinfulness. We need the transforming power of Jesus Christ and his gospel to change us-to change our culture. It is high time we as Christians begin living, expressing, declaring in art, work, politics, philosophy and everyday life what is in us–Jesus Christ.