The Attraction of Mystery

Church Planting Series, Part twenty-three

In Luke chapter 7, a centurion sent messengers to ask Jesus to heal a valuable servant. Jesus agreed to pay the centurion a visit. The text says that when Jesus drew close to the centurion’s house, the Roman leader sent friends to say to the Savior, “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof…Say the word and my servant will be healed.”

You know how the encounter ended. Jesus was amazed at the centurion’s faith. The friends returned to the centurion’s house and found the servant well.

Isn’t it interesting that at a time when the centurion could SEE Jesus, during a season of history when Jesus was visibly present, the man asked Jesus NOT to show up?

This strange twist runs counter to what we think we want when it comes to Jesus. We get frustrated with his invisibility. We want to see Him—or at least a lightning bolt from heaven or two. We think that his invisible presence is a handicap to a doubting and straying world.

I wonder if we’re missing something.

The centurion felt he was completely unworthy to have Jesus as a house guest. Do we act sometimes as if Jesus is our “sleepover buddy”? In our efforts to not only be truthful, but to be right about God, do we act as if we know Him inside out? Do we systematize the mystery out of the Holy Lamb of God? Do we act as if God is in our hip pocket, an explainable entity that we dole out to people in need?

What about the unpredictable nature of God? What happened to our fear and trembling? Aren’t there times we need to say, “I have no idea”? The living Word, the awe and mystery of Jesus’ presence in Holy Communion, the mysterious work of the Spirit in baptism, the confounding nature of answered prayer, the absolute grace of sin-dead lives enlivened—-who can really explain any of it?

Of course we need to proclaim what we know, have seen, and have heard. But have we lowered what God wants our expectations of Him to be?

In the state of Texas, only 19.8% of the population believes it is important to go to church. I wonder if the 80% who believe church is an unimportant part of their lives see Jesus as formulaic, boring, and predictable. I wonder if the 80% see NASCAR or the NBA as more exciting and unpredictable than the Lion of Judah. I wonder if the surprising and unimaginable work of God is waiting, yet we are communicating as people of little faith.

What’s the answer?

First, it may be that we need to regain a healthy spirit of unworthiness before Christ. Instead of pretending that we can explain everything, package God neatly, and make ministry happen according to our plans, we may need to echo what the centurion said: “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof.”

Second, instead of relying on our slick marketing of Christianity, we may need to bow before the Savior and await His mercy. After the centurion incident, Jesus came upon a widow whose son had died. Luke 7:13 tells us, “When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her.” He then did something nobody planned on. He raised her son. How did the crowd respond? “They were filled with awe and praised God.”

If we really believe Jesus is alive, maybe it’s a good idea to let Him blow us all away with His merciful action. I have a feeling that the response to His mystery just might top 19.8%.