“There’s something … something greater than we know.”
Most people are not satisfied with remaining on the surface. At our core, we were made for more. We love to solve mysteries, to expose the secrets, to find out how the magician does his tricks. It’s why James Cameron took a movie crew down to explore the Titanic – to plunge to the icy depths to see what they could discover about the big ship. It’s discovery. It’s why Sherlock Holmes captivated the hearts and minds of readers all over the world — he was searching for answers where they seemed impossible to find. He often said, “How often have I said to you that when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth?” It’s why magicians and illusionists have mystified and stymied their audiences for centuries, using sleight of hand, misdirection and illusion to fool the eye. And at the end of the show, everyone is incredulously asking, “How did he do that? I must know!” People desire to know the how behind the trick. The truth behind the illusion. There’s something going on that we don’t understand.
So much of what we read in the Bible can seem like a mystery. It can be confusing or unclear. Sometimes people will shake their heads and just say, “I don’t get it” and walk away. And others will say, “Wait a sec. That statement or passage just caught my attention. I want to know what is going on here.” So they plunge in and start peeling back the layers. There’s something greater about this book of stories, poetry, history, and wisdom that is worth discovering. We read about a great mystery — of a God who became a human, experiencing all the limitations of the frail body as we do, who lived for thirty-some years, and is put to death by the very beings whom He created. What’s the story behind that? Why do people now follow Him? Why do people still find value in this book? Surely there is something… something greater going on here.
Today, on a day that we traditionally celebrate love, begins the first day of Lent — Ash Wednesday — which is an interesting juxtaposition, yet fitting at the same time. We often celebrate those we care deeply for by giving a gift, be it flowers, chocolates, or something a little extravagant to express the love inside. The act of giving something is an expression of love and brings joy to both the one giving and the one receiving. Today, when my mom arrived home, she was greeted by a beautiful bouquet of fresh flowers inside her back porch. She was so surprised and happy because it was an unexpected thing to see at the end of the work day. And it was awesome to get her text and then phone call and share in her joy from a simple act which was my joy to do!
We often see the sign of the cross on the forehead on Ash Wednesday. It is symbolic of the dust from which we were created. The cross, once symbolic of torture, has now become symbolic of love to those who follow the tradition of Jesus. So, on this day where love is celebrated, we celebrate the cross. We celebrate the story and life of Jesus and His great love for humanity.
Because this love story is something… something greater than we know! And as we take that plunge into those deep waters; as we start really living this story; it is then that we will begin to peel back the layers, mine the depths, and start to comprehend just a little of the great mysteries of an infinite and eternal God which can forever change the course of our life stories!