Comfy Christians

Reading the Bible, sometimes I'll come across a verse depicting an event in Christ's ministry, or a statement made by Jesus himself, that's suddenly very different from what I remembered or expected.

The most recent examples are from Matthew 11.  

When John the Baptist was in prison and learned Jesus was away preaching in Galilee, John sent his disciples to ask Jesus a question: "Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?"

Doesn't John's question seem ... odd?

After all, when he was still in Elizabeth's womb, hadn't unborn-John "leapt for joy" upon hearing Mary's greetings?  Hadn't John told his followers that "one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to unite.  He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire"? 

Wasn't it John the Baptist who baptised Christ, and who testified to then having seen the Spirit of God descending on Jesus like a dove?

So then why, once John's in prison, does he abruptly start having doubts about Jesus?  What was suddenly on John's mind that was so serious, urgent and immediate that it caused him to dispatch his disciples (and wear out their feet) on a 200-mile round-trip walk so they could track Jesus down and ask him, almost sarcastically, Are you the one we're waiting for...  or is somebody else? 

Languishing in prison, the issue that had seized John's attention (since he was after all, a prophet) was the certainty that his death was imminent.  

And as a chosen, faithful servant and prophet of God's Kingdom, John the Baptist must've been wondering why on earth Jesus was off somewhere preaching in the boonies ... instead of racing back to Jerusalem to hurl a righteous miracle or two at King Herod's head.

John was likely consumed by the idea If Jesus is for real then he must know I'm in trouble, so why isn't he here taking care of my problems ... and bustin' me out of jail?

From John's perspective, was it too much to expect Jesus to show up and throw down with a teeny-tiny miracle ... like a prison-break?  Wasn't John all about furthering the advance of God's kingdom?  What was taking Jesus so long?

See, John was getting anxious ... and wanted an immediate answer to his immediate needs.

How did Jesus answer?  Jesus replied, "Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me."

A short while later, Herod ordered John beheaded ... to satisfy a dancer's whim.

--   --   --

Folks who believe in a cozy, God-keeps-me-safe-and-comfortable brand of Christianity would probably argue "Look, God calls different people to live different lives, and to do different things.  God didn't call everybody to do exactly the same thing."

In other words, believers who treat Christ like the ultimate good luck charm are convinced that their dedication and devotion should result in lots and lots of blessings, favors and rewards ... clearly because their righteousness means they've earned God's favoritism.

No wonder Comfy Christians love their religion so much and consider themselves the most faithful,  Biblical, sin-free and deserving Christians on the planet: obviously it's God's will for them to do nothing more than sit back, prosper and stand by ... and watch the blessings keep piling on.  

I'm just guessing, but it's not hard to imagine they might be the same folks who find so many faults with others, and who have the most to complain about in church.

Comfy Christians believe it's always someone else who God tells to take risks; that it's always the other guy who's called to make sacrifices and bear the yoke; that it's only repentant super-sinners (certainly not folks who grew up going to church and never missed Sunday School) who get called to take up their cross daily and live all-out, completely and dangerously for Christ no matter the risk.

Like John the Baptist.  

Like Paul.  

Like Stephen and like Christ's disciples ... followers who were 100% devoted and convicted ... who knew Jesus had not suffered crucifixion and then rose from the grave in his hurry to get back and promise them prosperity,  guarantee their comfort and grant them their wishes (especially when they're disguised as prayers).