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Where There is Smoke There is
Fire
02/01/04
At these words the Jews were
again divided. Many of them said, "He is demon-possessed and raving mad.
Why listen to him?" But others said, "These are not the sayings of a
man possessed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?"
John 10:19-21
In the cynical, sensationalized
drama of journalism, the following modern proverb is almost always accepted as
true: "Where there is smoke there is fire." In the
proverb, the smoke represents controversy. The presupposition of the
proverb is that the smoke comes from a fire, hidden by the smoke.
Therefore, as one follows the trail of smoke, one will eventually discover the
source of the controversy -- fire. In essence
, the proverb teaches that if there is controversy, something must be wrong.
The fire represents the "real truth" -- hypocrisy, secret motivations
and a bevy of untold horrors. Of course, just reporting everyday good news
does not sell papers. Modern man is so skeptical -- we want the dirt!
And we will pay for it!
I wonder how the modern press
would have covered the ministry of Jesus. After his first recorded sermon
in Luke 4:17-30, the Jews were so upset at his controversial, world vision for
Gentiles that they took him to a cliff to throw him off and kill him.
Perhaps the next days' headline of the "Jerusalem Times" would have
read: Crowds Attack Jesus The False Prophet.
I wonder about the headline of a
reporter that had sneaked into the dinner party at Simon the Pharisee's house.
What would have been the pictures and the headlines concerning the sinful
woman's interaction with Jesus as she washed His feet with her tears. (Luke
7:36- 50) Perhaps the "Israeli Inquirer" would read: Jesus
And Mary The Harlot Have Affair.
I wonder what the "Galilee
Chronicle" would have written about Jesus calling twelve men to follow him,
to begin a spiritual revolution to turn the world upside down. His plan was
simple, he asked them to disciple other men as he had discipled them. (Matthew
28:18-20) Maybe the lead story would read: Questions Of Control
Surround Terrorist Cult.
What if a reporter for
"Bethlehem Today" would have discovered from an unnamed source that
Jesus and the disciples were primarily supported by three rich women. (Luke
8:1-3) He might write about the scandal of an unemployed but charismatic
Jesus taking financial advantage of these women. Jesus's
"extravagance" could further be embellished by talking with Judas,
former treasurer of Jesus's movement. Judas would be quoted in the article
about the occasion when he strongly protested to an expensive perfume being
poured on Jesus rather than being used for the poor. (Mark 14:4-9) It
probably would not be noted all that Jesus had done for the poor as well as
Judas stealing money from the treasury. Yet the headline would likely have
been written: Jesus And His Boys Living Large.
People have a tendency to believe
words that are in print or on TV. How sad a commentary on our generation.
In John 10:19-21, people were divided about the ministry of Jesus. Sadly,
many people chose to remain neutral because they did not want to take a strong
stand for Jesus because there were so many people against him. On Monday,
January 26th, just eight days after the Eugene Church planting, the newspaper
The Eugene Register-Guard, prompted by former members of the Portland Church,
ran a front-page article on our new Eugene congregation (see
article here). Amazingly, with just 18 disciples, the Eugene Church in
eight days has shook up a city of a quarter million people where countless
churches have existed for years with little perceived impact. Last week,
my interview with the Christian Chronicle, the largest paper of the mainline
Churches of Christ, was also front page news (see
article here). As seen in the ministry of Jesus in John 10:19-21, the
reporter's introduction and interview had some positive aspects but there was
also a tone of negative neutrality.
Let us also take this moment to
say, not everything has been done correctly or even righteously by us in
Portland, by our sister congregations around the world, and I suspect, even the
first eight days in Eugene. However, as shrewd children of the light (Luke
16:8) let us understand and develop a deep conviction that Satan has launched
his counterattack on our brothers and sisters in Eugene. Let us not doubt
their love for God, their motivation and their overall righteousness. Let
us pray for them as they resist Satan by standing firm in their faith. (1 Peter
5:8-9).
Perhaps if we are presently in a
congregation that is not being persecuted, we should remember the words of
Jesus, "Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their
fathers treated the false prophets." (Luke 6:26) Make every effort to
strive to be a part of a congregation that is radical in their preaching of
God's Word and God's grace, yet uncompromising against sin and full of love for
all sinners. Yes, that preacher and that church will be controversial, but
you can be sure that congregation is "on fire" for the Lord! And
to God be the glory!
Kip McKean
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