On this first week of Epiphany we explored just how truly human Jesus was and is. Contrary to the imagination of many modern Christians, the Jesus known by the apostles was like us in every way except sin—physiologically AND psychologically. Looking at the gospel lectionary passage, Mark 1:1-13, we looedk with wonder at Jesus’ baptism—a true identity crisis—that propelled him into a new career that you’d have to believe to truly see.
The Lord is (Not) My Carnival Operator
Far and away the most significant passage of the Bible for me over the last several years has been Psalm 23, the well-known song of David that begins “The Lord is my Shepherd, I lack nothing.” Particularly the bit about “he guides my steps along the paths for his name’s sake.” For most of my life, I haven’t carried around that picture of God. If I’m honest, my view of God was less like a shepherd was more like a carnival game operator.
Growing up around charismatics, I grew up hearing people saying things like “God gave me a prophetic word…God spoke to me this week…God gave me a vision.” The problem was, I never really won that game. I never got any guidance from God. Oh, I always got excited thinking I might win something; I could walk around the carnival and see that other people with their giant stuffed animal trophies, but somehow I always walked away empty-handed. I would try and try to play the game, but somehow I always left with empty pockets and a sad, gnawing envy. Not that I didn’t want to win: every time the carnival came to town, every time I saw all the lights and music I thought maybe this is my big day, maybe today I’m gonna win.