Crazy Love and Crazy People: What I'm Reading and Listening To

Crazy Love

When I told my wife that I was reading Francis Chan's Crazy Love, she was excited because she thought it was a book about marriage.  Her and me.  But in a way, it is a book about marriage (and her and me too), because it's about how we should live excitedly for Jesus and His Bride, the church.  

In his introduction, Chan sets the scene with the words,

This book is written for those who want more Jesus. It is for those who are bored with what American Christianity offers. It is for those who don’t want to plateau, those who would rather die before their convictions do.

These words gave me hope that we are not the only people disappointed with the complacency of the Western Church.

Although Chan refers to the "American Church" frequently, I believe that we could interchange that term for "the Western Church".

I haven't always felt this way either.  I was a solid young Christian who did the Christian things and lived the Christian life, but some years ago, I was fortunate to have a pastor-friend who challenged me to read God's Word enthusiastically, listen to the Holy Spirit, and seek to glorify Jesus. Some years later, a "crazy" guy visited our church and talked about the Acts model. It triggered a lot of thinking and studying of Acts (and other New Testament books) before I understood the church-proper as Jesus intended it to be. Our visitor was not so "crazy" but biblically minded!

A few more years on, then I did some formal tertiary studies at Bible College and found other like-minded people. And you don't have to go to Bible College to find them!

Chan makes it clear that this is not a church-bashing book.  It's more about our personal accountability to obey.

The majority of believers on this earth find it laughable that we could reduce the call to follow Jesus and make disciples to an invitation to sit in [a] church service.  (p. 180)

Crazy People

Casting Crowns sing a song titled "Crazy People" highlighting the life of a Christian walking by faith, trusting God and talking to Jesus.  Spoiler alert: just a few of my favourite lyrics following...

Who builds a boat with no clouds in sight...

Who brings a bible into a public school...

Who’s not afraid to go against the flow...

Who talks to Jesus like he’s real...

(These lines don't rhyme because I've just picked some lines from random verses - you'll have to listen to the entire song for proper lyric context!)

The link to Casting Crowns' Crazy People Official Lyric Video is here: Official Lyric Video

And Lead Singer Mark Hall's short story behind the song here: Story behind the song 

It appears the band has not released an official music video, but I found a live rendition here and here.

Be encouraged: there are other men and women out there who are on fire for Jesus. People might think they are crazy too, but they are wholeheartedly pursuing the work of Jesus.  This is what Crazy Love and Crazy People are about.

 

References:


Chan, Francis. Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God (p. 23). David C Cook. Kindle Edition.  (06/02/2020)

Casting Crowns YouTube Channel, Crazy People (Official Lyric Video), Provident Label Group LLC, a division of Sony Music Entertainment.

Essential Worship YouTube Channel, Casting Crowns - Crazy People: Song Session.

Huckabee's Jukebox YouTube Channel, Casting Crowns LIVE "Crazy People" | Jukebox | Huckabee.

 

 

Do you ever doubt? 4Q521

Do you ever have doubts about your faith?  It's only natural. Peter had doubt (Mt. 14:31). The disciples had doubts (Lk. 24:38). The father in Mark 9 had doubts, "I do believe; help my unbelief." (Verse 24).  Even John (ie. John the Baptiser) had doubts about Jesus.

When John was imprisoned, he sent a delegation to ask Jesus if He was the Messiah, or if they should expect another:

When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”  (Mt. 11:2-3 NIV)

But Jesus was no stranger to John. John already knew who Jesus was as the Holy Spirit had previously revealed Him to John in the desert:

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”

Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him.  And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’  I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”  (Jn. 1:29-34)

John baptised Jesus as the Messiah:

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John.  But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”

Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.  (Matt. 3:13-15)

Immediately following His baptism, in John's presence, God declared that Jesus was His Son (Mt. 3:17).  

As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.  And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” (Matt. 3:16-17)

 John was aware that Jesus was the Son of God, the long-awaited Messiah.  So when John sent the delegation to ask Jesus if He was the Messiah, or if they should expect another, he already knew the answer, but needed reassurance.

Jesus said, "Go back and report to John what you hear and see. The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor." (Matt. 11:4-5). Jesus drew a comparison with Is. 42:7 in the context that He was the Messiah; the One Who would come, sent by God. The shadow of the One to come as described in Isaiah 35, 42 and 61 described Him as One, "to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness." (42:7) But Jesus knew that John was not going to be released from prison, and in His lovingkindness, did not mention release of the prisoners to John that day. Nonetheless Jesus did have a very encouraging message for John as he did mention the raising of the dead. He reminded John of the hope of eternal life regardless of his release from prison!

Don't lose heart:  Jesus' response to John is just as relevant and encouraging for us today.

I have based this blogspot article on Dr. Mark Bailey's message, "An Ancient Manuscript and the Messiah" in which he focused on the similarities of the ancient parchment 4Q521 and Matthew 11:5.  4Q521 being document number 521 from the Dead Sea Scrolls discovered in the 4th cave of Qumran.  I could not hope to present it as eloquently as Dr. Bailey; you can see and hear his message here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NOSUPdiKW4

 

God's Plan for Israel Chart