Jumping off Cliffs

The other week, in one of our regular early Monday morning breakfast discussions, we were talking about faith, having read the first few verses of Hebrews, ch. 11.  Someone had read something about jumping off a cliff so long as one had faith that there were arms just out of sight ready to hold the catch.  Then common sense comes along and tells one that such things just don’t happen in this world!

It’s another way of looking at Jesus’ comment about moving mountains at Matt. 17:20.  Whether or not we have such faith, here too there is this nagging thought that - faith or not -such things just don’t happen.

Not long after this discussion, I found myself listening to a podcast about humanist ceremonies.  In many ways the role of the Celebrant in such rituals is closely comparable to that of a Christian priest or minister.  Before they are allowed to perform their duties they have to undergo instruction, and their abilities and understanding of what they’re about have to be approved, much in the same way as a minister undergoes selection, training and a ritual of commissioning.  Similar logic and consideration for the humanist officiants apply as in any conventional religious context ... saving only the absence of any deity or faith. 

Early in His ministry, Jesus was in the synagogue in Nazareth one Sabbath day, when He was invited to read from the scriptures and speak about what He’d read.  We’re told (Luke 4:22) that people were amazed at what He said; yet they weren’t willing to follow Him.  It was that common sense that got in the way.  They had known Jesus for many years; he was the son of the local carpenter.  Chances are that, after Joseph died, Jesus, as the eldest son, had carried on the business for a while.  They might acknowledge the wisdom with which he spoke, but to be led or taught by a mere artisan was more than they could accept.

We can refer too to Nathaniel (John 1:46), to whom Philip specifically spoke of "Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph".  Nathaniel’s immediate reaction was to allow common sense – and possibly a local tradition or proverb – give him grounds to dismiss the matter: "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?"

This conflict between what we know and what we are prepared to believe, even if we have no proof, is a constant threat to even the strongest faith.  It is no shame to admit that, from time to time, we have doubts.  It is at such times that we are in greatest need of friends to support us in prayer.  We can also turn to God’s promises, written for us in the scriptures, such as that at Jeremiah 31:33-34, where the prophet speaks of God’s planting of truth within the people’s hearts and minds, so there is no need to for them to be taught: they will simply know His truth.

Where do you stand in the conflict between head knowledge and heart knowledge?  Who do you know who can help you resolve it?