Exploring this more deeply, the pre-crucified Christ performed many things only God can do but He voluntarily did not exercise ALL of His godly prerogatives. Christ willingly submitted to being tired, hungry, thirsty, in-pain and to death. But in the resurrected Christ, most voluntary restraints are gone. Of particular note are the numbers of times Christ suddenly became visible in the presence of familiar people during His resurrection ministry. He also became suddenly invisible when His purpose was accomplished. Soon after His resurrection, it is recorded He passed through a solid wall to meet with the disciples meaning he was not connected or controlled by physical things in this universe. Christ’s claim to be God is not disputed in order to stick to the subject.
Miracles – Science can neither Prove or Disprove
The scientific method cannot resolve questions of past miracles that people have seen since past miracles involve the temporary and rare suspension of normally inviolable (God controlled) laws of the physical universe.
Take the miracle of the resurrection of Christ. Scientists cannot prove with positive certainty the miracle of the resurrection nor can they positively deny it. They could, truthfully and professionally state that they never observed this miracle. But that is it.
Science doesn’t recognize there is a God that maintains the laws of the universe moment by moment. The Bible is way ahead of science on this issue. Because God is in charge, that same person can interrupt those laws. Scripture documents the resurrection with numerous witnesses at a time when true science has little it can say. The Bible records over 500 witnesses saw the resurrected Christ.
Revelations of God – Easily Distorted
One of the hindrances to the progress of understanding the invisible nature of God is the tendency for the mind of man to corrupt the message faithfully delivered and focus on the visible and monumental. Unless a person is slow to speak and quick to listen, the message we get is tainted. We miss the fact that the Bible directs us to consider things unseen (invisible) in addition things seen.
In Matthew 17, Jesus brought three disciples to a high mountain and they watched as the robes of Jesus became white and his face shone like the sun. Moses and Elijah appeared with Jesus. A cloud covered them and a voice came out of the cloud and said, “This, is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him.”
What did the disciples want to do? Did they request to hear more from Him? No, they wanted to preserve the moment by building three tabernacles of those glorified. But how do you preserve the voice in the cloud by constructing a tabernacle made of wood, stone and/or metal? Rather than expecting an answer, and instead of condemning their response, these thoughts should bring a time of introspection to look at our lives to see if we are building visible monuments at our local church, at work or home instead of listening to Him.
Moving beyond the time when Jesus was on this earth, if we look at about a thousand years later we understand how disconnected Christians can become toward God. We see the huge cathedrals of Europe built to display the glory “of God” and yet we do not sense there was concern for following the steps of the Savior. The hierarchical structure of the visible church coupled with the strange mix of political, economic and military power produced a non-Christian message contrary to the scriptures. For about the next 300 years into the future the known world entered a heightened period brutality of the crusades. Focus was almost exclusively on the visible. Ironically, a disobedient Christian church displayed one TRUTH of scripture for the world to see… “The heart of mankind is depraved and continually wants to do evil.”
Even a cursory look at scripture, reveals a significant portion of the Christian message involves a personal, unseen responses to the teachings of Christ. These are the ones Christians fall down just because they are unseen by others. Examples include: the left hand not knowing what the right is doing in giving to God, not coveting anything of your neighbors, calling all races to the peace of God, ending submerged anger against our Christian brother or sister, private unseen prayer etc.
It is clear from the scriptures and Jesus himself that the selfish attitudes and attendant monuments constructed by Christians during their life on earth will be burned away so that heaven will be free of such things. The invisible things done to please God will be rewarded in the next life down to the smallest of all details. Even a drink of water given in Christ’s name will have its reward.
This article suggests Christ is God and God is Christ, essence or not, removed or obtained from the shackles of an imprisoned mind obviously influenced by a congregation full of personal opinion and doubt, lacks authenticity. The bible and logic paint very different pictures about the whys and hows of Christ Jesus's life as the son of God, man of flesh, destined to die for a bunch of ?
Was your intent to sway a more intertwined description upon your readers about the relationship God and Juesus actually might have shared?
Was your intent to sway a more intertwined description upon your readers about the relationship God and Juesus actually might have shared?
Well written and entertaining !