Suspicion is dangerous, but that does not mean that we should suspend our suspicions. It means, rather, that we should suspect our suspicions, knowing of their danger.
-Merold Westphal
Why in the world do I believe what I do? It’s a good question – really. One of the greatest of the Greek philosophers, Aristotle figured out that our beliefs are based on 3 factors. The first is our reason – what we believe just seems to make sense. The second is our emotions – it feels right to believe what I do. The third (I bet you see this a lot) is our culture – since mom and dad believe something, I believe it.
But do you ever sit and wonder why? Or does it make your head hurt too much to bother? Do I go to Bible study just because my friends go? Is religion just something I do? Did I give up on religion because my parents or siblings are fanatics? Have I seen too many “religious” hypocrites?
Honestly, I find it easier to avoid these uncomfortable “why” questions. After all, I’m just a kid right? I just want to have fun. I just want to be happy. Is that asking too much? But I wonder, if I’m afraid to ask these hard questions – then do I really believe what I say I do?
Believe it or not, Jesus had something to say about our questions. In John 5:39, Jesus uses the Greek word “ereunao” when he is talking to some local religious leaders. Ereunao is an imperative statement (basically a command) that simply means “search.” When the religious leaders were questioning Jesus’ authenticity as Messiah, Jesus did not simply dismiss their doubts. Rather, He told them ereunao the scriptures and see if He was who He said that He was. Jesus didn’t tell us to stick our heads in the sand and follow him. He told us to be proactive. Seek and you will find (Matthew 7:7).
Ereunao.
But seeking isn’t easy. It takes time, and often makes us vulnerable. It takes courage.
Later in John’s gospel, some of the “cultural Christians” decided that following Jesus was a bit too much for them. So Jesus asks his disciples, “Do you want to go away as well?” Here I imagine Jesus drawing a line and saying, “Well guys, here’s your chance. You can leave too if you want.” But Peter speaks up. “Lord, to whom shall we go? (John 6:68a)”
Courage.
Peter made up his mind in that moment to really follow Jesus. Jesus wants us to have courage? Maybe that’s not what you see in the 21st century pop-culture Christianity, but it’s who He is. God is not scared of your questions. Actually, it’s what He wants. But courage is dangerous. It requires us to stick our necks out. It requires us to ask real, uncomfortable questions. Questions that might scare us.
So, to my Christian friends, I have a question. Do you have courage? Do you ereunao the scriptures? Do you take this Jesus thing seriously? What kind of impact would it have on you if you did? Why in the world are you a Christian? Please, don’t make Jesus something that you do on Tuesday morning, Wednesday night, Thursday morning, Thursday night at 7, Thursday night at 8, and sometimes on weekends. Spare us the T-shirt. Jesus calls for a radical following. It’s supposed to make us uncomfortable – get used to it.
To my cynical and doubting friends, I have a question too. Do you ereunao your own doubts and cynicism? Is it possible that your doubts are based on your own personalized idea of what’s right and wrong? Maybe you’ve proven to yourself that there is not God because he probably wouldn’t be happy with your lifestyle. Do you trust your doubts enough to doubt them? Do you question so much that you see holes in everything- except for your own questions? What if your doubts are wrong?
Jesus Christ – the most important figure in human history. Imagine reading all of the books on Jesus. Good luck. So, let’s take his words seriously. Let’s have the courage to search – together. I guarantee you’re going to be surprised what you find.
Maybe Jesus is more than we thought He was.
