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ASK Y  Where God-questions are put to the test This month’s question… How can Jesus be God? It does sound far-fetched to claim the God who created everything came to live among us in human form. That Jesus was more than just a supercharged version of Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Bono and David Blaine rolled into one. Some say the idea that Jesus was God was invented by the Church because it sounded a great idea. Others say the followers of Jesus so wanted it to be true that they made it up. So what can a sane and reasonable person – you! – believe? Let me give you a few thoughts, with more to come in this column next month. What could possibly point us to believing such a mind-shattering claim could be true? Let’s start with the impact Jesus made. It is not the final word but speaks volumes. And Jesus impacted history more than any other person to have lived on planet Earth. Two thousand years after his birth, Google the name “Jesus” and you’ll find well over 222 million pages referring to him. At least, that’s the present count. The numbers of the pages devoted to other famous names and faith leaders in history come nowhere close. In other words, when it comes to impact on history and interest in the history maker, there’s Jesus and there’s the rest. This proves nothing conclusive but it is enough to suggest we should keep looking. So what about the things Jesus did as recorded by those who watched him do them? For me they are exactly what I’d expect someone to do if they were God. To be specific I’m thinking of simple “God things” like miracles. OK, I know we have seen magicians do spectacular stuff. But we know it’s a trick. Somewhere there’s a trap door, a mirror or an accomplice. But the only-God-can-do-them things Jesus did were altogether different. Up which sleeve did Jesus keep 120 gallons of wine that mysteriously appeared at a wedding? Or, if he just used sleight of hand and a little colouring agent, how come the guests gave it five stars? Where did Jesus hide enough bread and fish to feed more than five thousand people in one sitting? How did he heal the crippling conditions of multitudes? How did he bring back to life someone who’d been dead so long his grave clothes stank with decay? And how did he… The list is endless. How? If Jesus was no more than flesh and blood the answer has to be “no way.” But if he was God it would be a piece of cake-and quite a lot of loaves and fish. But that’s only a fraction of the answer. The rest comes next month. Peter Meadows is the co-author with Joseph Steinberg of The Book of Y the basis for the eight week Y Course that explores life’s biggest questions. If you have a Y Question relating to issues of faith and God, Peter or Joseph will do their best to answer it. Send your question to: challenge @veritecm.com Subject: Y Course We hope to publish their responses in future editions. |
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