The One Year Bible: "Jesus the Badventist"

 This is a continuing reflection on last week's readings in the gospels. . .

Jesus heals the man with the withered hand on the Sabbath as depicted in The Chosen

One thing that I've noted for some years now in my reading of the gospels, is what poor "Adventist" arguments Jesus makes. The theological points he scores just don't hold up to what I've experienced as the Adventist standard of sound Biblical thinking.  Two examples:

Jesus's "Careless" Approach to the Sabbath.  

"His hand healing on the seventh day
His love wearing no disguise"

                             --Michael W. Smith "Secret Ambition"

On more than one occasion Jesus heals on the Sabbath.  Not only that but he encouraged people to carry their beds on the Sabbath day.  He even defended his disciples when they were caught snacking on grain they pulled off wheat plants they passed by. When challenged on his disciple's conduct, Jesus refers to the example of David who ate the bread in the sanctuary that only the priests were allowed to eat.   What exactly is the takeaway here? What is the message about Sabbath keeping?

 We are quick to argue that the religious leadership of Jesus's day had become legalistic and obsessed with Sabbath-keeping minutia.  Our Sabbath principles aren't anything like that, we insist.  But aren't they? The amount of debate I've heard throughout my life about what constitutes Sabbath-breaking doesn't feel so different from the Jews of Jesus time.  Why wasn't Jesus more conscientious about not being a "stumbling block" to others?  If He were a good Adventist, he might have said--get up and walk, but leave the mat here until sundown.  He might have said to his disciples--"Fellas, lets hold off on the grain for now."

Jesus's Declaring that Satan Would Not Cast Out  His Own Demons

Terrible theology, just terrible. Of course Satan can do miracles, including casting out his own demons, to deceive if possible even the very elect. Jesus himself says that many will claim in the judgement day, "Lord, Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles", and Jesus will reply "I never knew you."  Yet, when accused of casting out demons by Satan's power (a very Adventist argument, especially since exorcism is not a major part of our spiritual practice) Jesus presents the argument that if Satan casts out Satan he is fighting against himself. I have to conclude that Jesus was talking about more than run of the mill exorcisms.  Jesus was saying that his whole life and ministry were in direct opposition to the Satan's goals.  It would not make sense for Satan to empower someone to send people straight into the loving arms of God.  Jesus wasn't "putting on a show", conducting thrilling exorcisms for the benefit of the masses and to increase his own following and reputation.  Satan can "cast out" demons, but he would never genuinely deliver people.  And that's what Jesus was doing--bringing light and life to those imprisoned by dark forces.

I'm not trying to diminish the faith tradition I belong to.  I believe in the core Adventist teachings--the seventh-day Sabbath, the second coming of Christ etc. The Adventist teaching about the nature of hell and the state of the dead alone is worth the price of admission.  But I do think we have to be careful as Christians, Adventist or otherwise, of placing our faith more in the traditional understanding of our church doctrine than in Christ.  Being theologically "correct"  doesn't save anyone. You can be "right" and still be wrong.  It was not bad theology that caused the religious leadership to turn away from Jesus, it was bad hearts.

A Question:

I've always wondered why Jesus allowed the demons he cast out of the demoniac (or two according to Matthew) in the Gadarenes to go into the pigs. Why would he bother to do the demons any favors?  And two thousand pigs drowned in the lake?  That has to be a major health hazard right?  The people of the region plead with Jesus to go away and leave them alone.  It's easy to say the wicked people of that area valued their lost pigs more than the saved man in front of them.  But I do wonder why Jesus couldn't have just sent the demons packing rather than allowing them to wreak more havoc?  Would He have had a more receptive response without the property damage and pollution?  I also find it interesting that Jesus did not let the man he delivered follow him. Instead he sent him off to tell his story, without the benefit of further tutelage. I'm not sure why Jesus did these things, but I trust that He knew what He was doing.

An Observation:

It's interesting to note how Satan and his demons suddenly come roaring to the spiritual forefront in the New Testament after barely making an appearance in the Old. Also there is a strong emphasis on the judgement and the afterlife, that barely gets a mention in the Old Testament.  I'm sure there is an explanation for these remarkable shifts.  I'll have to do more research.  In the meantime, I just thought I'd share that observation.