Echoes of Faith: Understanding Beyond Words (04/02/'24) -Passage

Echoes of Faith: Understanding Beyond Words Understanding and connecting deeply with another's silence is akin to fully comprehending their spoken words, suggesting a profound level of empathy and insight. This concept echoes through various teachings and actions of Jesus, emphasizing the importance of genuine faith, action over mere words, and the transformative power of understanding and belief. Jesus challenged the superficial piety and hypocrisy of those who professed loyalty without embodying the teachings or acting on the commandments they claimed to uphold. His question, "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and yet don't do what I tell you?" underscores a disconnect between profession of faith and living out that faith in actions and truth. This critique was vividly demonstrated when Jesus cleansed the temple, a place that had been turned into a marketplace rather than a house of prayer. By driving out those who were buying and selling, overturning the tables of the money changers, and the seats of those selling doves, Jesus signified a rejection of practices that desecrated the sacred space and principles of worship and community, illustrating his commitment to purifying the faith and restoring its integrity. Jesus's declaration, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up," further symbolizes the profound transformation and renewal that comes from truly understanding and embodying the principles of faith. It wasn't just about physical resurrection but also about the resurgence of faith, hope, and love beyond the limitations of human understanding and sin. The narrative that "The comeback is always stronger than the setback," paired with the notion of God embarking on "a new project" through resurrection, conveys a message of hope and redemption. It's a reminder that God's plans are about restoration, rebirth, and making all things new, emphasizing that the essence of the divine is about transcending our failures and shortcomings through grace and renewal. Finally, Jesus's words about believing in the works if not in him directly, invite us to recognize the divine presence and action in the world — an invitation to see and understand the interconnectedness of faith, action, and divine will. It's an appeal to acknowledge the manifestation of the divine through deeds of love, mercy, and justice, affirming that understanding and belief are not merely about intellectual assent but about seeing and participating in the ongoing work of creation, redemption, and transformation. Through these teachings and actions, Jesus illustrates the depth of understanding, faith, and transformation that transcends words alone, inviting us into a deeper relationship with the divine, characterized by active engagement, profound insight, and transformative love. Pastor Steven G. Lee (April 2, 2024)