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I read, what I consider to be, a very good suspense novel this past week. The book was The Brethren, by John Grishom. It was about three judges who were serving time in prison for varies crimes they had committed. While they were in prison they devised a brilliant scheme to blackmail rich and powerful men. The reason I probably like this book is that I was right. In other words the book ended as I had anticipated it would.

I don’t know about you but what I love about reading a suspense novel is trying to guess the ending.

Last month’s church’s book club selection, Left Behind is a suspense novel of a different kind. It causes the reader some apprehension and anxiety. The tension however is not about trying to guess the ending. It was about wondering if you would be taken or left behind. The book Left Behind is based on Matthew 24:40,41 and the absolute chaos that grips the world when it happens.

“Two men will be in the field; one will be taken the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken the other left.”

When we gathered to discuss the book a good part of our discussion was centered on would we ourselves be taken or left behind. I believe why we found ourselves in such a state of suspense is that we could see ourselves in the lives of the characters who were left behind.

The people in today’s scripture story are in suspense. Their suspense is over the identity of Jesus. The Jews gathered around Jesus, saying,

“How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”

Does this sound like an unreasonable question to ask of Jesus? Tell us outright are you the Christ? What do you think might have happened if right then and there Jesus said, “Yes, I am the Christ.” To answer that question answer this question, “Why do you think they wanted to know?”

They had inquiring minds? They wanted to follow Him? If Jesus had said, “I am the Christ.” Like many Christians today, they would not have followed Jesus in the way he wanted to lead them. Their reason for asking was perverted. The Jews wanted to know anticipating that Christ would drive out the Romans. The religious leaders wanted to know anticipating that they could accuse Jesus of blasphemy.

Jesus would not give them a plain and simple, yes because as He said,

“I did tell you, but you do not believe.”

How did he tell them?

“The miracles I do in my Father’s name speak for me, but you do not believe…”

This might appear that Jesus is being antagonistic, but in truth He is pointing them to look at the evidence and make a decision for yourself.

The prophet Isaiah said,

“Be strong, do not fear;
your God will come,
He will come with vengeance;
with divine retribution
He will come to save you.
Then will the eyes of
the blind be opened
and
the ears of the deaf unstopped.
Then will the lame leap like a deer,
and
the mute tongue shout for joy.”
(Isaiah 35:4-6)

Blind see, check; deaf hear, check; lame walk, check; mute speak, check. What more did they need before they would believe. Jesus’ actions verified that He is the Christ. If they didn’t believe before they asked,

“How long will you keep us in suspense?”

Do you think they were going to believe because Jesus said,

“I am the Christ?”

We have even greater proof. He rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. He was wounded and bruised. He suffered and died on the cross. He rose victoriously from the grave. He ascended into heaven. He fulfilled every prophecy written about the Christ, with the exception of His coming again, which we await.

How much more proof do we need, before we will completely surrender our life into the hands of the Jesus, the Christ, the Good Shepherd. As our Good Shepherd we can rely on Jesus in the same way sheep are completely dependent on the shepherd for provisions, guidance and protection. We must however be content to allow God to guide us.

The question the Jews asked of Jesus,

“How long will you keep
us in suspense?”

is a question I am sure Jesus sometimes wants to ask of us. How long will you keep me in suspense? If you are a Christian, tell me plainly.

Today it is fashionable to say, “I am born again, Christian,” but is it evident that you are born again? It is fashionable to wear a gold or silver cross around your next, but is it a piece of jewelry or a declaration to all to whom you belong?

In the 4^thchapter of the first letter of Peter we find these truths.

“Therefore, since Christ suffered in body, arm yourselves also with the
same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin.
As a result, he does not live in the
rest of his earthly life for evil desires, but rather for the will of God. For
you have spent enough time in the
past doing what pagans choose to
do - living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry…. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so
that you can pray. Above all, love
each other deeply, because love
covers over a multitude of sins.
Offer hospitality to one another
without grumbling. Each one
should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its
various forms. If anyone speaks,
he should do it as one speaking the
very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength
God provides, so that in all things
God may be praised through
Jesus Christ.”

Consider these Words of God and ask yourself is that the way I live?

Do you keep God in suspense with regards to your faith in Him?

Amen