It is obvious to any observer that much of the world surrounding us is being shaken by events, circumstances and experiences. However, in the midst of this commotion, the Scripture reminds us that we humans have been created in God’s image. This paramount distinction should lead us to believe that any member of our society—and more so we who claim regeneration—should also be moved by things belonging to a different order, for after all we are not merely material beings but also spiritual. Nevertheless the Fall, which has brought a substantial shift in our very nature (Eph. 2:3), is still affecting us today and we find ourselves—too often I must say—deeply moved or affected by things that leave God untouched. So we get afraid when we should dwell in peace, sad when we should rejoice, thrilled when we should be grieved, and often asleep when we should be wide-awake.
First example
There is a portion of scripture expressing this truth in phosphorescent colors. I am referring to Luke 8:22–25. We see therein how the Lord got into a boat with His disciples and before they had time to sit down He told them: “Let us cross over to the other side of the lake.” So they launched out and before they knew it Jesus had fallen asleep. Shortly after a mighty storm came upon the boat, a storm breaking the realm of normality by its might and threat.
We must also notice that some of the disciples were fishermen and as such had seen many storms; but here the elements were so overwhelming and minatory that their hope of survival was vanishing in the darkened waters. Their eyes were nailed on the mighty waves breaking into the boat and their ears subdued by the vulgar expressions of the enraged wind. So there you had them, totally awake and in every way disheartened and moved beyond measure. Their heartbeat was raised and their breath taken. Hope had yielded to despair and their confidence had shipwrecked on the reef of angst and perplexity. But strangely enough, in absolute contrast, Jesus was sleeping in the stern of the boat, undisturbed and in a state of utter rest. What a disparity! The ones thoroughly affected by the ferocious circumstances, the Other unreached and untouched.
The story has it that the disciples went to Jesus and told Him with a horrified voice, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” (Mark 4:38). At their words Jesus took the situation in hand and the tempest was brought to its knees in total reverence and subjection.
What follows must have been one of the most amazing questions the disciples had ever heard; and to add to their puzzlement the question came with astonishment: “Why are you so fearful?” (Mark 4:40) “Why?” the disciples could have countered, “Have you not seen the waves? Have you not heard the howling wind? Are you not aware that the boat was filling up?”
Now, I don’t know if you have ever been in a mighty storm on the sea, but I have, and it is a marking experience. The ship had twelve floors and it was moving on the waters as a little boat. It was rocking on the waves in such a way that its propeller was coming out of the water every now and then making a petrifying noise. Everyone was scared on the ship, the workers as well as the passengers. So without a doubt I can say that to get fearful in a perilous storm is only normal. But strangely enough Jesus told His disciples that in this specific occasion their dread was unjustified. And it was unjustified because He had told them before leaving the shore, “Let us cross over to the other side of the lake.”
Jesus was obviously regarding these words as conclusive. This boat was going to reach the other side of the lake and nothing above or below, no forces and no schemes could have stopped this little boat from crossing the lake safely. In other words, when God says something He is well able to bring it to pass. So He expects us to trust Him, resting our mind on Him in spite of any form of adversity that may appear overwhelming and decisive. This is why the “Why are you so fearful?” is followed by, “How is it that you have no faith?”
Second example
Another portion of scripture related to the matter in hand is found in Matthew 26: 36–46. Here we have also a mighty tempest, but a tempest of a different order. Hell is clashing against heaven and the power of darkness against the power of light. The destiny of the human race is being decided, and decided amidst blustering opposition. There is, so to speak, a violent spiritual wind and ghastly billows filling the air and shaking the earth.
We read in Matthew 26:37 how Jesus was deeply distressed, and in Luke 22:43,44 how He was in agony, and this to such an extent that an angel had to come to strengthen Him. Yes! The Son of man was moved at the deepest of His being. To sleep was for Him impossible because His sharp spiritual senses could perceive the turbulent spiritual reality, and the apprehended actuality affected Him. But strangely enough, at a stone’s throw distance, the disciples were sleeping, totally unmoved and unaffected. The narrative goes on explaining how Jesus had to wake them up, but the awakening was ephemeral and in no time they were fast asleep again. So the Man of sorrows had to come with a second revival, but again, sadly enough, His effort was little rewarded.
Why were the disciples so indifferent? They were indifferent because their spiritual sensory faculties were dull and dim. They could not perceive the clashing and the boisterous commotion. For them, all was calm and friendly. The gentle breeze was caressing their hair and the green foliage was whispering quiet lullabies. So they were sleeping on the laps of apparent normality.
Often we pray for revival, yet we seem unaware that if a revival would brake out most of us will be back snoring before a new moon could crosse the sky. Only the person able to perceive both sides of reality will stay awake; only him will be moved by what is intrinsically spiritual. Without this complete sense of awareness spiritual apathy will certainly reappear victorious and enthroned.
Several years ago someone told me that in Matthew 26: 36–46 the disciples could not perceive the spiritual actuality because Pentecost had not yet come. I wish it would be that simple. One thing is certain, the Corinthian church had experienced Pentecost; they were zealous of spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 14:12), yet they were not moved by what is spiritual in essence but by carnality.
It is not my purpose here to elaborate on spiritual sensitivity, but I believe it is beneficial to be reminded that we evangelical Christians can become spiritually blind and deaf, and when such a state is reached spiritual acedia settles in. There is no shortcut, as far as Christianity is concerned sight and hearing can only flourish in a clean heart, a heart separated from the world not by distance but in essence and intent.
Third example
So far we have seen that we are often moved by circumstances that don’t move God at all, and little affected by events that shake the heart of God acutely. But happily the Scripture demonstrates that we Christians can be moved by the things that move God.
There is an interesting portion of scripture found in Acts 20:22–27. Paul is speaking to the elders of the Ephesian church, telling them he was going to Jerusalem bound in the spirit—by this he meant he was utterly convinced by the Holy Spirit that to Jerusalem he had to go. In Paul’s mind there was no alternative. Then he added that he didn’t know in details what was going to happen to him there except that the Holy Spirit had testified in every city, saying that chains and tribulations awaited him. Hence he knew he could possibly face hunger or cold, stripes or agony, or even martyrdom. But listen to what he says: “But none of those things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself”.
Here we have a person unmoved by the very things that move the multitudes, and little affected by pernicious circumstances. This pronounced contrast existed because Paul was mostly moved by that which has spiritual substance. His sight could reach beyond the ephemeral to capture the abiding reality. Defining his state of being he wrote: “While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Cor. 4:18). His ability to look to what is permanent at the point of true perception created an eclipse behind which the temporal nearly disappeared.
If we scrutinize the verse under consideration, i.e. Acts 20:24, we can observe two things which moved deeply the heart of the apostle. The first is his desire to finish his race with joy. Writing to the church of Corinth he says: “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receives the prize? So run, that ye may obtain” (1 Cor. 9:24). For Paul the silver and the bronze were out of question; for him there was only the gold. All his strength and energy was being invested into that final objective. Mediocrity was anathema to him. He was an absolutist. It was all or nothing. “This one thing I do,” he wrote, “forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:13,14).
So Paul was striving for the final prize. He longed for it and acted accordingly. He knew God was deserving his all, and his all he was willing to give. So he was moved at the very core of his being. The sight of the finishing line was provoking his zeal, and the shouts of so great a cloud of witnesses moved his spirit and kindled his heart.
Another thing moving Paul was the fear to fail God and men. God had entrusted a valuable ministry in his hands and the thought to be unfaithful in this divine mandate kept him awake and moving onward. He knew the responsibility was his: the banner of truth had to be held high and the gospel declared in all its purity and glory. All these things moved Paul at the point of palpitation. Yes! His sense of perception kept him awake. Together with God he stood in a state of exuberant watchfulness. This is genuine spirituality. It doesn’t need the sensual entertainment so highly valued in our evangelical milieu. Its ebullience transcends time and matter. It finds the prayer closet glorious and can worship in what appears to many a mere empty room. This is glory, and this is genuine Christianity.
Conclusion
So the question remains: By what are you moved. Are you moved by the fear of God or by the fear of men? Are you mostly moved by the spiritual or by the tangible?
There is a little story that might image the question in hand:
A godly pastor decided to plan an evangelistic campaign in his city. For several Sundays he addressed the congregation with stories and exhortations, hoping to inspire them to get involved in the campaign he was planning. He prayed, fasted, and compelled the brethren to join him in intercession. He managed to mobilize most of the congregation and invited an anointed evangelist to proclaim the salvation message. Before the campaign started the evangelist told the congregation: “Brethren, we all know the value of a soul. So let us do our uttermost to invite the lost. Let us offer them an opportunity to find the Savior.” Several people shouted ‘Amen!’, and their voices was heard far and wide.
Nevertheless, when the campaign started, the assistance was nearly non-existing. The lack of participation was appalling until brother Allan Jones, founder and director of EnergyPlus, intervened. He called the entire congregation and told them he will give five thousand euros to whosoever brings an unconverted sinner to the meetings. Immediately the audience increased drastically. An unprecedented zeal and dedication filled the congregation. There were talks of revival and the interest of the brotherhood intensified as never in the past. The campaign ended in glory and the converts were rejoicing.
On the Sunday following the pastor began his message saying: “By what are you moved?”. A mosquito was heard as he continued in utter reverence. At the end of his message a few people shouted “Amen!” and the service was over.
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