What I understand about God is up to Him

This week I read an article entitled, “The Silliest Story Ever Told” written by an atheist who could make no sense of the story of Jesus Christ. He ridiculed Christians and accused us of making it up. He said even if Jesus was a real person, everything he did made no sense. He was angry at Christians who explained it all by saying you just have to believe. As far as he was concerned, there was nothing in the story to make faith possible.

After reading this, I felt sad, sad that no one could answer this writer’s allegations, and sad that he could not see beyond his opinions. Today, I again realize that Christian is a revealed faith. No one can know or believe in Jesus unless the Holy Spirit opens their heart and reveals the truth of Him to them. This is not about intellect, reasoning, or even faith. It is also not about being told. Jesus foretold His death yet the disciples didn’t get it. His own words were not enough either.

Understanding how this works is somewhat of a mystery. Why does God reveal anything to anyone? What determines when or why He does it? Why would He conceal truth? I’m not certain of the answers yet He does do it and when He does, those who now can believe are able to trust Him even without knowing all the answers.

All were astonished at the majesty of God. But while they were all marveling at everything he was doing, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men.” But they did not understand this saying, and it was concealed from them, so that they might not perceive it. And they were afraid to ask him about this saying. (Luke 9:43–45)

Sometimes it appears that the disciples didn’t want the truth of what Jesus said so they didn’t understand it, yet the above passage says it was ‘concealed from them’ so it was not about their receptivity either. This is repeated elsewhere:

And taking the twelve, he said to them, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. For he will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and shamefully treated and spit upon. And after flogging him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise.” But they understood none of these things. This saying was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said. (Luke 18:31–34)

A few times, the New Testament tells of instances where Jesus could not even be recognized much less understood. One instance happened after He was crucified. He encountered two men who should have recognized Him:

That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. (Luke 24:13–16)

That God can hide Himself or reveal Himself shows me how dependent I am on Him. From what He has shown me so far, I don’t think this is a capricious or whimsical choice. His knowledge and plan are too involved and complicated for Him to be playing ‘eanie meanie’ with human lives. Not only that, the Bible is clear that God loves us and does not want anyone to perish; He wants us to know Him. It is also clear that we do not pull His strings. He calls us to choose faith yet says we do not choose Him but He chooses us.

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Jesus, I cannot solve theological problems that have been debated for several centuries. All I can do is read and obey what You reveal and realized how dependent I am on You for everything. Each day You open my eyes to something I’d not seen before or put fresh light on something I need to remember. You make life both a mystery and an adventure. I am so glad to know You and so glad that You are taking care of my spiritual life and the lives of those around me.