Are Christians a people out of time - trying to go back to a more archaic and less enlightened way of life and trying to impose an ancient value system on a modern world? That’s how many in the world view us.

Jesus challenges those who are quick and enthusiastic to call Jesus not just “Lord” but “Lord, Lord,” the double emphasis adds conviction and emotion to the statement. He is NOT downplaying the importance of what it means to declare Him Lord.

The Bible lays out two realities about human strength – we each have been given different strengths and abilities to use in this world and our strengths and abilities are limited and dwindling. 

When asked whether they agreed with the following statement, “Generally speaking, most people can be trusted,” 40% of Baby Boomers agreed, 31% of Gen Xers agreed, and 19% of Millennials agreed.  It doesn’t take a degree in statistics to observe the downward drift in the generations concerning faith in our fellow humans.  This growing lack of trust is making the tension between the desire for intimacy and the fear of betrayal less bridgeable and therefore heightening growing trends in isolation and tribalism.

Whereas 3 year olds ask questions continually, 13 year olds know everything and never ask another real question until they are 25. Some people need a good question to get them thinking; others need a good answer to get them thinking. Previously we looked at Jesus asking questions in order to provide an opportunity for a person to evaluate his or her conscious or unconscious assumptions about God, life, purpose, and worship. He also answered questions with the same intent – to challenge deeply held beliefs, to reveal self-deception and to force a person to take stock in where hope and help come from.

I hear the question, “Why?” a few dozen times a day.  With my 4-year-old, it’s almost reflexive.  Jesus also asked a lot of questions.  Unlike my 4-year-old, His questions were rarely for information or explanation , but a means to foster an existential crisis.  He wanted to provide an opportunity for a person to evaluate his or her conscious or unconscious assumptions about God, life, purpose, and worship.  His questions were often perplexing, sometimes unsettling and always revealing.