Show Me!

Missouri is the Show Me State. It is that strong, solid, Midwestern, down to earth, nose to the grindstone, show me ethic that gives us our sensibility and stubbornness. The state animal is the Missouri Mule. So, I think you should have a pretty good idea of what to expect if you ask one of us what it takes for us to believe something. Proof.

Our new study is focusing on the resurrection story and what it took for the Disciples to believe Jesus had risen. If you read the different versions in each of the four gospels it becomes clear that the apostles did not have a common understanding of the event. There are significant differences from one to the next. The individual accounts are probably also colored by the audience for whom they were writing - Matthew's focus on the fulfillment of prophecy indicates a Jewish audience; Mark's fact-based Greek gospel implies non-Jewish Christians, maybe Romans; Luke's writing for the Gentiles; and John seeks to reach all people, expanding from the "what" to the "why" of Jesus. But in each account the witnesses leave the tomb believing in a very unnatural event.

I couldn't help but think they had a big advantage over us. They had been traveling with Jesus for three years, they had seen miracles first hand. I am sure I have seen miracles, but none like those described in Jesus' ministry. Even though they had seen Jesus' work and been told that this would happen, they still just thought the body had been stolen when they found the empty tomb. Despite their own unique experience and understanding, they took a while to get past "show-me." So maybe I'm not that bad after all.

What does it take for us to believe the story? While thinking about just what it takes for us to believe is a very valuable exercise, I think the take-away for me tonight was about the need to differentiate the message. That has been a hot button word in education recently, and it basically means offering material in several different ways, at several different levels, so that it both challenges and advances the skills and knowledge of each student at an individually appropriate level. Differentiation honors that fact that not all students are at the same level of understanding, interest, and ability at the same time and allows them to progress at their own level, at a pace that will allow success.

Sometimes we aren't willing to differentiate The Message as we go out to make disciples. We get an almost OCD-like compulsion, seeing only one way to do things. Our way. And yet, God differentiated the Gospels in order to reach more people. God differentiated the way he reached and reaches out to us, willing to meet us where we are and allow us to progress at our own pace. Why is it so difficult for us to do the same? Not only for others, but for ourselves?