The other night I was sitting in a theology class and we had a guest professor come speak. He was the head of the philosophy department with an emphasis in metaphysics. Immediately, I felt intimidated just by his title! I thought to myself: will I even be able to keep up with this guy?!
But I was thoroughly surprised to hear his response to one student’s thoughtful question:
What field of study do you feel brings you closer to God?
His answer was one of pure honesty: “Metaphysics! Because I realize how little I know. And I am OK with that. I don’t have to have all the answers.”
What stood out to me about this response was the humility in it. There was a certain feeling I got from him that he had total peace in not knowing everything. Someone who studies and teaches and researches for a living is content with not having all the answers…that gave me reason to pause and think.
How often am I the one who wants to have all the answers? Especially when it comes to the Bible. I want to have a ready answer for every single question that comes up. I am quick to offer my “thoughts” on a passage because I want God and His Word to be defended…justified…explained!
But as we saw in this week’s passage (John 6:41-71)…some things simply can’t be fully explained on this side of eternity. We can engage with our minds…we can thoughtfully and intellectually choose the more reasonable option…but can we truly explain the deep mysteries of God?
Or is it better to find contentment in those mysteries and choose reasonable faith instead?
John spells out how these disciples were feeling in this moment, “Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, ‘This is a hard saying; who can understand it?” (John 6:60, NKJV)
Jesus doesn’t seem to shy away from “hard sayings.” Instead…He presses in. He isn’t afraid of the uncomfortable conversation. He asks pointedly, “Does this offend you?” (V.61)
I love Jesus’ ability to see right into the heart of a situation. Let’s face it…in our flesh, it is very uncomfortable to not have the answers…to not be in “control” of a situation intellectually. But where is true peace found? Perhaps in sitting with the uncomfortable?
Maybe I need to be a little more like that philosophy professor…maybe on one or two occasions I could simply say, “Only God knows.”
There are mysteries that are beyond what we can understand while we are here on earth. I hold onto hope that one day, these things might make more sense in heaven. But in the meantime, I want to be content with what God gives…with the answers He does freely show us in His Word.
Because let’s face it, there really is so much beautiful truth in His Word that He has spelled out for us! Can we be content with that? Can we choose reasonable faith from what we have? I believe so! And my philosophy professor would also choose reasonable faith.
May we be like Peter, sitting in the mystery, but simultaneously realizing that there is nowhere else to go. Only Jesus makes the most sense in this fallen, broken world! Let us join Peter in saying, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” (John 6:68, NKJV)
He’s got the answers, and we can be content with the rest.
But I was thoroughly surprised to hear his response to one student’s thoughtful question:
What field of study do you feel brings you closer to God?
His answer was one of pure honesty: “Metaphysics! Because I realize how little I know. And I am OK with that. I don’t have to have all the answers.”
What stood out to me about this response was the humility in it. There was a certain feeling I got from him that he had total peace in not knowing everything. Someone who studies and teaches and researches for a living is content with not having all the answers…that gave me reason to pause and think.
How often am I the one who wants to have all the answers? Especially when it comes to the Bible. I want to have a ready answer for every single question that comes up. I am quick to offer my “thoughts” on a passage because I want God and His Word to be defended…justified…explained!
But as we saw in this week’s passage (John 6:41-71)…some things simply can’t be fully explained on this side of eternity. We can engage with our minds…we can thoughtfully and intellectually choose the more reasonable option…but can we truly explain the deep mysteries of God?
Or is it better to find contentment in those mysteries and choose reasonable faith instead?
John spells out how these disciples were feeling in this moment, “Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, ‘This is a hard saying; who can understand it?” (John 6:60, NKJV)
Jesus doesn’t seem to shy away from “hard sayings.” Instead…He presses in. He isn’t afraid of the uncomfortable conversation. He asks pointedly, “Does this offend you?” (V.61)
I love Jesus’ ability to see right into the heart of a situation. Let’s face it…in our flesh, it is very uncomfortable to not have the answers…to not be in “control” of a situation intellectually. But where is true peace found? Perhaps in sitting with the uncomfortable?
Maybe I need to be a little more like that philosophy professor…maybe on one or two occasions I could simply say, “Only God knows.”
There are mysteries that are beyond what we can understand while we are here on earth. I hold onto hope that one day, these things might make more sense in heaven. But in the meantime, I want to be content with what God gives…with the answers He does freely show us in His Word.
Because let’s face it, there really is so much beautiful truth in His Word that He has spelled out for us! Can we be content with that? Can we choose reasonable faith from what we have? I believe so! And my philosophy professor would also choose reasonable faith.
May we be like Peter, sitting in the mystery, but simultaneously realizing that there is nowhere else to go. Only Jesus makes the most sense in this fallen, broken world! Let us join Peter in saying, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” (John 6:68, NKJV)
He’s got the answers, and we can be content with the rest.
Erika Pizzo
Erika is an author of various books on the topics of faith, mental health, and victory in Christ. Erika lives with her husband, daughter, son, and their fluffy poodle in sunny Southern California. Her two favorite things are a visit to the beach and a chai latte in hand.