Trusted Sources

Do you believe what you are told, or do you need proof?

Then Jesus said to him, 'Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.'  - John 4:48

Here in the Northeast, we have been experiencing a strange winter, with summer-like weather one day and icy-cold winds the next, followed today by a blizzard.

This was predicted, and though the sky was clear and beautiful yesterday, I believed the forecasts and decided to close the soup kitchen today.

We gathered up our volunteers and had them make sandwiches to hand out with lunch, so everyone would have something to eat today.  Some will be able to work, shoveling snow when the storm eases, but I worry about the homeless.

I bring this up to make a point about our faith in trusted sources.

Even though the weather reports are not always accurate, seeing the radar maps helps me to go with the forecast.  The signs point to what is coming and I believe, changing my plans accordingly.

Jesus was telling the disciples and followers that they failed to do this, looking instead to trusted sources that were leading them astray.

We like to think that Jesus came to raise the dead and heal the sick, but these were done as signs of his power, showing us that he was a truly trusted source, the trusted source above all others.

But how often do we focus on the miracles and fail to hear the message?

I think we are all victims of this today.  We are quickly swayed by the accusations and calls for proof on every little point and fail to see that the underlying message may be the same for those of us fighting each other.

If we agree on what we want to accomplish, but disagree on how best to do it, you would think we could sit down together and work out a plan that does most of what we both want.

But so long as our trusted sources are telling us to stand our ground and fight, we will not break with the prevailing wisdom and think for ourselves.

So, if Jesus came to us today, he would probably shake his head and throw up his arms.

Forgive them, for they know not what they are doing!

More to come...