Beyond Comprehension
Several years ago, I was involved in an in-depth study of segments of the New Testament. Through this study I developed a fuller “intellectual” understanding of the historical trials in the too short life of Jesus of Nazareth. It’s easy and comfortable to think of this amazing man, walking around healing people, turning water into wine, feeding thousands with a few fishes and loaves of bread. Who wouldn’t adore this gentle soul? But the truth is that many people in positions of power and influence despised Jesus. He was constantly rejected, ridiculed, feared, hated, shunned and eventually tortured and then murdered. Intellectual understanding, for whatever reason, simply wasn’t enough for me at that point, so I let fly a very unusual prayer, requesting a full emotional understanding of what it was like for the Son of God to be treated the way that he was. What followed, reinforced that old saying, “Be careful what you wish (or pray) for”!
I was almost instantaneously overcome with feelings of immense sadness, longing, disappointment and fear. An ordinary person, in much deeper than I was prepared for, I began to physically tremble and shudder, tears squeezed out of my tightly closed eyes as my mind raced. My ability to comprehend and absorb these emotions was pitifully inadequate. In a matter of a few of the most intense seconds of my life, my ability to “feel” compassion was magnified beyond any prior capability. The feelings which I’ve just described left me as quickly as they had arrived. They also left me a very changed person. Imagine if you will, the one person whom you hold in the highest possible esteem, suddenly rocketing out of sight, while locking firmly in your heart. It was as though my 16 point, Christmas 3D star perception was suddenly transformed into a perfectly round, unblemished, glistening pearl. Part of a matched set of 3, adored by uncommon people. The voids of my understanding were suddenly filled. This incredible God I’d just experienced, dove headfirst into the tumultuous sea of life. He hadn’t walked safely along the shore, he dove straight into the rip tide, where He was needed. Enduring in both years and memories so much more than anyone ever should. He spoke only truth, He hurt no one, He helped all of human kind. This humble Son of God endured with perfect grace, terrible humiliation and the worst behavior that our so-called civilized world could dish out. At His earthly end, Mark 23:34, “Jesus said, Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing“. His gift to everyone willing to experience it, a bold love almost beyond comprehension.
JC Calkins with COMMON SENSE 4 UNCOMMON PEOPLE
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