Author: Paul Nordman

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“Are You the One?”

John was in lockup. His crime? Exercising free speech, or perhaps surpassing its subjective limits. And now the death penalty loomed. Seven hundred years prior, Isaiah had foretold John as the herald of the Messiah — “A voice of one calling: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.’”1 It was John who proclaimed Jesus’ identity to the crowd: “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”2 It was John who, though first demurring, baptized the Son of God in the flowing waters of the Jordan.3 He was there to see the Spirit descend upon Jesus like a dove and to hear the celestial voice: “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”4

Now from his correctional confines, John heard reports of Jesus’ miracles and the people’s boundless joy. But there he sat, once a trumpeter and now a prisoner. How could this be? Was I wrong? I hear the reports, but here I sit. So John sent two of his followers to Jesus with this question: “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”5 I suspect most of us can relate; I certainly can. In troubled times we may ask, “Where are you, God? Are you real? Do you care? Do my prayers matter?” Contemplating our demise we may ask, “Did you really take away my sins? Will you really take me into your rest? Is my hope indeed secure?” In other words, we all are tempted — literally tempted by the evil one — to doubt.

Then what must we do amid the hissing enticement to grow weak? Appeal to what we have already seen Jesus do in, through, and around us. To John’s messengers Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.”6 I’d venture to say God has done far more in and around each one of us than we can recall — healings, inexplicable coincidences, divine surprises, fulness in the Spirit, the peace in forgiveness. We could go on. In fact, do just that — start a list of God’s faithfulness in your life; you’ll be amazed.

Jesus had one more word for the messengers to take back to John: “Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”7 When tempted by the tempter to question this Son of God, choose faith — choose to believe. Yes, He is the one. Rest in Him.

Father, You show Your love for us in this: While we were still sinners Christ died for us.8 In Him we trust; in Him we rest. And in Him we pray. Amen.

1 Isaiah 40:3 NIV
2 John 1:29 ESV
3 Matthew 3:13-14
4 Matthew 3:17 NIV
5 Luke 7:19 NIV
6 Luke 7:22 NIV
7 Luke 7:23 NIV
8 Romans 5:8 NIV

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True Belief: Reliance on God

Upon retiring a decade ago, I chose to take half my pension in a lump sum and the remainder in a series of monthly installments. The initial check was to come via courier on a certain day, so I waited for the doorbell — surely they would hand over my treasure face-to-face. As the day went on, I became progressively edgier until, stepping out the front door at one point, I glanced down and noticed an envelope half sticking out from beneath our welcome mat. There it lay, half of a pension built up over 35 years of hard work, now exposed with all the “protection” of a doormat. At that moment and all the way to the bank, I couldn’t wait to get this life savings transfer instrument out of my clutches and safely into the hands of those on whose security I could rely.

In John’s first letter to the early church, and specifically in 1 John 4:7 – 5:5, the apostle mentioned “love” or its variations — “loves,” “loved,” and “loving” — 32 times in 20 short verses. The passage is as much refreshing as amazing. Yet buried in all this love-speak was another four-letter word worth exploring: rely. John writes: “If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.”1 Most versions accurately translate the word as “believe,” yet the NIV’s use of “rely” here urges us toward a level of belief far beyond mental assent, to a relinquishment of self-will and complete entrustment of our entire lives to God, whose ways and thoughts are infinitely higher than ours.2

Paul exemplifies belief to the point of reliance. “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”3 The bold apostle understood true belief means relinquishing self-will and relying completely on God. Of his former religious achievements and repute, Paul now considered “everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.”4 This is the kind of belief to which we are called, belief to the point of entrustment. This is life safely deposited in Christ on whose love we can rely. Take it to the bank.

“Your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” — Colossians 3:3 NIV

Father, You are good, and in goodness You reach out to us. So fill us with the knowledge of Your love that we would joyfully rely on You every step of our lives. In Christ we pray. Amen.

1 1 John 4:15-16 NIV
2 Isaiah 55:6
3 Galatians 2:20 NIV
4 Philippians 3:8 NIV

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Where Division Comes To Die

It was the summer before Matthew’s senior year of high school when Peggy and I took him on a college visit to the University of Chicago. Together with other prospective students and their parents, we gathered in an auditorium for a Q&A session with a panel of UChicago undergrads. At one point in the open, positive exchange, a young guest asked, “Why should I not come here?” One of the panelists answered perhaps a bit too quickly, “We sometimes call this ‘the place where fun comes to die,’” he replied, adding, “The library is full on Friday night.” That’s all Matthew needed to hear. He enrolled at Washington University in St. Louis.

Had the young panelist paused momentarily, he might have made his point more palatably, e.g., “The hard work you put in at a university of this caliber will position you to excel in your professional career.” That said, let’s apply his more earthy approach in our study of Christian unity. For our overflowing life in Christ, our eternal oneness in Him, must be the place where division comes to die. What might this look like? The Scriptures show us.

Regarding our persecutors. “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”2 Be the place where division comes to die.

Regarding our oppressors. “If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.”3 Be the place where division comes to die.

Regarding our offenders. “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. . . If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”4 Be the place where division comes to die.

Regarding our relationships. “If you are offering your gift [to God] and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift . . . and go. First be reconciled to your brother.”5 Be the place where division comes to die.

Regarding situational differences. “Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.”6 Be the place where division comes to die.

Regarding earthly government. “I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.”7 Be the place where division comes to die.

Regarding others’ flaws. “Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.”8 Be the place where division comes to die.

Father, when we were separated from You, You brought us near to You by the blood of Christ.9 May we, in Him, be vessels of unity and overcomers of division today. In Christ we pray. Amen.

1 Today’s post augments our “unity series,” which ran weekly from February 26 through June 13.
2 Matthew 5:44-45 ESV
3 Matthew 5:41 ESV
4 Romans 12:17-18 NIV
5 Matthew 5:23-24 ESV
6 Romans 12:16 NIV
7 1 Timothy 2:1-2 ESV
8 Colossians 3:13 NLT
9 Ephesians 2:12-13