Of faith and choice Week 37, 2010

“You speak of faith as being a choice, and as obeying God. That surely refers to the Christian walk: holiness and stuff like that, and not necessarily to an act of faith, for instance in getting healed, or answers to prayers.” You think so? Well if the Christian walk is marked by obedience and choices the very act of faith to get answers to prayers must be the same, after all the entire Christian walk is called the Christian faith isn’t it? “Look, let’s cut out the theological stuff. Tell me how obedience and choices help me get miracles and I’m done.” I’m tempted to tease you, but let’s take 2 examples: Jairus … fell at Jesus' feet and kept begging him to come to his home, because his only daughter, who was about twelve years old, was dying Lk 8:41, 42(ISV). You know his desire was that Jesus arrives before the girl dies.
“I get it. Faith was his choice to remain with Jesus even when there was a delay at the woman with the issue of blood.” That was quick! Yes, but the choice I want to get at is: While he was still speaking, someone came from the synagogue leader's home and said, "Your daughter is dead. Stop bothering the teacher anymore." Luk 8:49(ISV) and Jesus answered "Don't be afraid! Just believe, and she will get well." Luk 8:50(GW). “Faith was a choice between the eye witness advice and the word of Jesus.” Exactly, you know he might have said “Jesus I called you first, you were coming to my house when this woman with an issue came. Her own was not an emergency. Why, Jesus, why? Now my daughter is dead!” and walk off. “Instead he chose to go with Jesus and a greater miracle than anticipated happened.” Good. Now it is critical when the unexpected happens in your journey of faith to get a word from Jesus like Jairus did. That word, I believe, is Fear not: only believe, and she shall be made whole.
The other is Peter’s choice. And when his talk was ended, he said to Simon, Go out into deep water, and let down your nets for fish Lk 5:4(BBE). Fish disperse when there is noise and light, that’s why they toiled at night. Now in daylight Jesus asks and he makes a choice between experience and the word of God: Master, we have worked hard all night and caught nothing. But if you say so, I'll lower the nets." After the men had done this, they caught so many fish that the nets began to tear Lk 5:5, 6 (ISV). Faith chooses The Word above experience and eyewitness advice. “That’s neat; what of more examples?” Chew on this first. Apply it. You know it is the same choice you need to make when the world says retaliate but Jesus says turn the other cheek.