Twin sisters, twin faiths?

Fascinating programme on Radio 4 this morning, here; Anna Scott Brown bringing us the tale of identical twin sisters, one who has become a Christian, the other a Muslim, and how they are dealing with the terminal illness and imminent death of their (initially atheist) mother.

Its striking first because it cuts through the mushed-together presentation of religion that we so often get in the media; two sisters clear on the 'fundamental differences' between what they believe, so much so that they have each chosen in their will that the other will not look after their child in the case of each of their deaths.

Second, the huge difference that therefore follows in the assurance each of them holds. The near death of their mother is clearly focusing the issues. The Muslim sister is clear that 'Muslims will never say anyone is saved, it's between God and our hearts... and on the day of judgment God will judge and he is just.' Whereas the Christian sister is humbly confident, 'I believe I will go to heaven, and I want that for my Mum, but I don't know if she will, and that's really hard.' She goes on, essentially trusting that 'God has already made it better between you and God.'

And then thirdly, striking in the emotional trauma of a family going through suffering together. Close to her death the mother has a 'religious experience', believing she has met God, and bringing about a visible turnaround in her beliefs about life. Interestingly the Muslim sister is clear that this experience essentially hasn't been about Jesus and so shouldn't be classed as a 'Christian experience'. Credit to Radio 4 for bringing us real life stories that do highlight the differences between Christianity and Islam and for not portraying either as religious wackos.

Lessons from Mark #01...

To follow is to leave.

(Mark 1.16-20)

I've found Jesus...

Making the news over the last few days has been James Cameron's (yes, the man behind Titanic) new documentary The Lost Tomb of Jesus. I guess the Da Vinci Code has kind of fizzled out now, with just enough momentum to mean that this new film/documentary/archeological finding gets big press around the world. Mary offers some thought here, but surprisingly the actual findings at the bottom of all the fuss don't really offer much warrant to believe that it is Jesus of Nazareth's tomb/DNA/child's burial place (delete as applicable).

Responding to Jesus: the woman with the alabaster jar...

So Jesus is at dinner at your mate's house in Bethany, and you're just chatting post-grub. And then this woman comes along with an alabaster jar filled with a year's wages worth of permume, and she breaks it and pours it all over Jesus' head. The guy next to you exclaims, 'Why was the ointment wasted like that?' (v. 4)

What's your reaction? I can imagine myself folding my arms and muttering exactly the same words. 'What a lunatic. So over the top. She is just an embarssment.'

But Jesus? Well...

"Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them. But you will not always have me. She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial. And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her." (7-9)

Can you imagine it? That's immense. He commends her beyond measure. Her radical extravagance has in some way recognised the fact that Jesus wasn't gonna be around forever. He brings it straight down to earth: 'You will not always have me... she has anointed my body beforehand for burial.' He is going to die. Her action, her hugely 'over-the-top' reaction, has recognised who Jesus is. And in fact she's probably the first person up to this point in Mark who's rightly responded to Jesus' death. Certainly the chief priests (14.1-2), the disciples (14.10-11, 18-19), and I didn't.

Nothing is too precious for Him! His blood has been poured out for many, confirming the new covenant (v. 24), by which we are cleansed and recieve the Spirit so that we may be moved to obey (Ez. 36.34-27). We have new hearts!

As Sinclair Ferguson said, 'The determining factor of my existence is no longer my past. It is Christ's past.' Praise Him! He is worthy!

Remember Him?

"Do you not find yourselves forgetful of Jesus? Some creature steals away your heart, and you are unmindful of him upon whom your affection ought to be set. Some earthly business engrosses your attention when you should have your eye steadily fixed upon the cross. It is the incessant round of world, world, world; the constant din of earth, earth, earth, that takes away the soul from Christ. Oh! my friends, is it not too sadly true that we can recollect anything but Christ, and forget nothing so easy as him whom we ought to remember? While memory will preserve a poisoned weed, it suffereth the Rose of Sharon to wither."

C.H. Spurgeon