DOWNPOUR

Good evening Downpour! I arrived in Ann Arbor early this morning and am excited to face this new semester. It hit me on the plane that this may be my last flight into Michigan from NY, and I hit a depressive state for about 10 seconds...this was the last thought running in my mind before I knocked out on the plane. Anyway, it's great to be back (I hope you guys are even more excited than I) and lets strive to be amazing students/friends/Jesus-followers/yata yata yah this year!


John 20

Two things that struck me:

1) Mary encounters Jesus near the empty tomb, but cannot recognize him. If I witnessed someone's death penalty and then their burial...I would be pretty convinced that the person is dead. Mary even thought Jesus was a gardener when she first encountered him. I would've thought something along that line. However, all Jesus had to say was "Mary" and all of the sudden Mary had the guts to yell "Rabboni!" (sounds like an Italian dish, but it actually means teacher). There are many times I cannot recognize Christ in my own sin. And sometimes I use to blame Christ for all of this...he never calls my name! He never listens! However, in this story, Jesus has not yet returned to the Father (meaning Jesus' act of saving the world is still incomplete at this phase). Today, in the year 2009, Christ's death and resurrection is fully at work in each and every one of us. We now have the ability to call for him, instead of just waiting for him to call our name.

2) I was so inspired by Thomas. In my head, I was thinking..."this man is a scientist! BRAVO!" Doubt is important!!! Tim Keller states, "faith without doubt is like a human body without any antibodies in it." I would never ever EVER promote a pre-Christian or a Christian to avoid some of the challenging questions about the bible, Christian history, etc etc. However, to tap into the DEEPEST resources Christianity has to offer in living, coping, healing, and etc etc, it is important to listen to what Jesus says to Thomas in verse 27, "...stop doubting and believe."