Divine Paradoxes

Paradox

“a seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement or proposition that when investigated or explained may prove to be well founded or true.”

Jesus presents us with many seemingly absurd, self-contradictory propositions, which, taken at face value, don’t make much sense.

You must be a servant to be a leader.

You must give up everything to gain everything.

You must forgive to be forgiven.

You must be last to be first.

You must lose your life to find it.

You must risk everything to gain everything.

You must give for it to be given to you.

You must understand that a Lamb is a Lion.

You must surrender to win.

At first glance, these statements may sound foolish. Still, as the definition of a paradox explains, when the unusual sayings are examined and investigated, they prove trustworthy and accurate. In truth, Jesus’ contradictory statements are a good measuring stick to examine your life. You will likely be doing well if you live in tune with the above enigmas. What if you rate yourself on a scale of one to ten on each teaching and discover where you might need some work? Perhaps that is not a bad idea.

Then we come to Jesus’ most potent contradictory teaching: you must die to live. Death seems so permanent and even more so when you lose a loved one. You know that you will never see that person again in this life. You will never hear their voice, touch them, or enjoy their laughter. They are gone. Death has mastery over us, and there is nothing we can do about it. Or is there?

Today is Good Friday, the day we remember Jesus’ crucifixion. I’ve always wondered how someone came up with calling a crucifixion “good.” But the actual root word for this good means holy. For about four or five hours, Jesus hung on a Roman cross, falsely accused of blasphemy against God. Jealous and hypocritical religious leaders conspired to convince Pilot, the Roman governor of Judea, to have the Son of Man tortured and murdered. It seemed that death even had mastery over Jesus.

However, as the old African American preacher put it. “It may be Friday, but Sunday’s a’ comin'!” As most of us reading this article know, God had other plans. Death may have had mastery over humanity, but the Almighty has mastery over death. In the end, another paradox was proven true. Sacrifice leads to joy and victory. Death does not have the final say in the matter.

I recently visited a new dermatologist. I must stay connected to this kind of doctor because I spent my childhood and young adulthood in the sun without protection. I am fair-skinned, and all that exposure left me with pre-cancer all over my body. I’ve had the effects surgically removed and “frozen” numerous times to prevent melanoma. For me, he was a new doctor who was an upbeat, talkative young fellow. I immediately connected with him. He inquired as to what I do, and I told him I was a pastor for forty- years and am now a writer.

Within a few minutes, he stated that he, too, is a Christian and obviously one who is committed. We talked about the terrible situations in so many places and the decline in American values. He finally said, “I don’t see how people do it without God.” I replied that I’d asked myself the same question many times.

Then he went on. “You know I have numerous patients who are atheists. I’ve noticed something about them, especially the women. They are hopeless people who often live in fear.” I thought, wow, this guy has actually talked with and treated folks who don’t believe in God and made a powerful observation. This is not conjecture on his part; it is personal experience.

 Why fear? Death has mastery over them, and that is a scary proposition. I do not mean that statement in a demeaning manner but rather an explanation. This life can be pretty messed up and challenging, and if this is all there is, it is depressing, I think. And I have a generally extraordinary existence. Many do not.

But for those of us with another view of God, we also have another view of death. It is only a brief passage to a far better existence. Sunday’s a comin’.

Death for Jesus was a short passage. Sunday arrived, and God performed a fantastic feat. He turned death into life – another paradox. For those who follow Jesus, to live is Christ, and to die is gain, which is not a bad deal.

God also displayed His mastery over sin, that which divorces us from Him. But the miracle the Master worked through His Son; His Son then gifted to us—another pretty good deal. Only sinners can be saved – another paradox.

Well, there’s a few thoughts about the weekend. If your life is presently a struggle, perhaps even a struggle with death. Just remember my friends -Sundays a comin’. We can choose to live in a manner congruent with the fact that our most critical battles have already been won, and that is good news. May we all decide to live in that truth.

Live Inspired!

Don Mark

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