action

“ . . . put aside for a moment what you hear me say about myself and just take the evidence of the actions that are right before your eyes.  Then perhaps things will come together for you, and you’ll see . . .” John 10:38 (The Message)

Jesus is dealing with opposition from the religious leaders of his day.  He knows that God has given the Hebrew people laws that have been recorded in Scripture form as a reminder and a guide for them to follow.  Jesus also knows that the Hebrew people have devised their own laws and traditions that they adhere to along with those given to them by God.  Jesus recognizes that though it is Scriptural for him to claim a likeness between himself and God, the Father (Psalms 82:6), the laws and traditions devised by the Jews consider this kind of speech to be strictly taboo.  Thus, the problem—the Jewish leaders keep getting caught up in and tripped up by “language”.  In his graciousness and understanding, Jesus offers them a solution that will help them get around their struggle.  Since language is a stumbling block for them, Jesus tells them to put language aside for the moment and consider him in terms of his actions alone.  By focusing their attention upon Jesus’ actions and looking to see if God is present and at work in them, they will be able to move on in their ability to see the truth of who and what Jesus is and believe.  Jesus doesn’t have to have the last “word”, he just wants them to be able to progress in their understanding and faith and he’s willing to take language out of the picture to enable that to happen.

Our culture today has a real problem with language, both outside and inside of the church.  Part of the ever-increasing division and disunity in America today can be boiled down to language.  Each group and individual has devised our own laws of language that we adhere to quite strictly and dogmatically.  If you question that, spend a moment listening to the pre-election political ads that are flooding our media and competing for our attention and vote.  Language plays a very key role, much more important even than the qualifications and character qualities of the candidates being promoted.  This is not just a political phenomenon—it exists in every person, social and ethnic group, occupation, belief system, gender, age, etc.

Language has become a huge stumbling block in America today.  We need to take a moment (or many) to put language aside and look at actions and what those actions reflect and reveal about the people and the various forms and natures of organizations that we come into contact with on a regular basis—not for the purpose of passing judgments (which are always inadequately lacking in some manner), but for the purpose of seeing what is really there.  Actions do speak louder than words.  If we take the time and expend the energy to watch for it, we can see if God is present and at work in the actions occurring around us.  As we are paying more attention to the actions of others, we need to become more aware of our own, as well.  What do my actions reflect and reveal about me?  What do your actions reflect and reveal about you?