Communicaton Overload
Imagine if Jesus could reach you by text messages.
Very truly, I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and does not come under judgment, but has passed from death to life. "Very truly, I tell you, the hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For just as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself; and he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. - John 5:24-27
If Jesus had all the methods of communication we have today, would people pay attention? Or would we ignore him the way we ignore political texts and emails?
We have created our new tower of Babble. Everyone is talking, but no one is listening.
We try to reproduce the excitement of hearing the message with TED talks and conferences, but we can't get close to the experience of being among the five thousand listening to Jesus talk in person.
John tells us Jesus even talks to the dead, and we pray this when we pray the Apostle's Creed.
We say that Jesus descended into Hell and on the third day rose again.
He went to the lost among the dead and freed them. Love, mercy, and forgiveness are the messages of Jesus.
So, why don't we believe more strongly?
Why do we doubt?
We may be too overwhelmed by the babble to hear. Maybe we need to listen in silence.
On this All Souls Day, when all the souls of the departed are listening to Jesus, maybe we should do the same. Be still and know.
Let's carve out a minute for the silence of God's presence, and see what it is like to be one with Christ.
More to come...