The Anticipation of Change

Jay: Last week, we explored the teaching methodology of Jesus Christ and His ministry. A foundational element in education, we noted, is establishing or recalling prior knowledge. We spent time discussing this, particularly the prior knowledge Jesus might have been trying to establish as a foundation for his teachings. As the conversation evolved, a theme emerged: the anticipation of change.We linked this theme to the concept of prior knowledge and the onset of Christ’s ministry. 

The idea of impending change is evident in John the Baptist’s introduction in Mark and Matthew 3, and the early stages of Jesus’ ministry in Matthew 4, leading up to His first significant teaching in the Sermon on the Mount. We examined the precepts Jesus might have invoked and noticed a recurring motif of change.

Consider, for instance, Matthew 3:10, where John the Baptist proclaims, “The axe is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” This metaphor signals change, as does his statement in Matthew 3:12 about the winnowing fork, threshing floor, and the separation of wheat from chaff.

Following this, in Matthew 4, we find the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. Though details are sparse until the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 4:17 hints at transformation with Jesus’ message, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” This suggests a shift is underway. 

Additionally, when Jesus begins calling his disciples in Matthew 4:19, His invitation to “Come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people” indicates a change from their usual ways to something new, symbolizing the advent of the kingdom of heaven.

Operating under the premise that Jesus is heralding change, using prior knowledge as a basis for this shift, I spent time researching change. I came across an article by Rosabeth Moss Kanter in the Harvard Business Review titled “Ten Reasons People Resist Change.” It’s a fascinating read. The reasons she gave are:

1. Loss of Control: Change can lead to a perceived loss of control, where individuals feel they can’t make their own decisions.
2. Excessive Uncertainty: In times of change, the uncertainty of what comes next can be overwhelming.
3. Surprise: Change often brings surprises, leaving little time to process what’s happening, resulting in a series of unexpected events.
4. Everything Seems Different: As creatures of habit, we resist change because it makes everything seem unfamiliar.
5. Loss of Face: Change can lead to a reassessment of the past, highlighting its faults, which can result in a loss of face or blaming those who were part of previous methods.
6. Concerns About Competence: There’s a fear that current skills may become irrelevant after change.
7. More Work: Change is often perceived as requiring more effort and being more challenging.
8. Ripple Effect: One change can lead to another, creating a domino effect that people prefer to avoid.
9. Past Resentments: New methods or changes can revive old resentments.
10. Real Threats: Sometimes, the fear of change is justified, as it can bring real pain and struggle.

Change is universally acknowledged as difficult, often unwanted, and typically resisted. Despite its potential benefits, many are hesitant to embrace it. In our exploration of teaching strategies and the theme of change in the context of Jesus’ ministry, we have two key questions:

1. Nature of Change: What does Jesus mean when He says, “The kingdom of heaven is near”? What specific change is He referring to?

2. Timelessness of Change: Is there a timeless, universal aspect to the change Jesus is introducing at the beginning of His ministry? How does this continuous change manifest itself?

These questions aim to understand the nature of the change Jesus heralds and its enduring relevance.

C-J: I believe Jesus is addressing the nearly 100 years of Roman oppression over Israel, signifying the people’s longing for relief and a return to normalcy. He’s prompting a paradigm shift from the temporal to the eternal. 

Our existence is defined by moments of consciousness, memories of the past, and expectations of a somewhat predictable future. When confronted with change, we embrace positive shifts—like the initial excitement over computers and their vast resources. However, as complexities and challenges emerged, stress replaced enthusiasm. 

The rapid evolution of technology, especially post-COVID, has forced us to continually adapt to a world changing not over generations, but in mere weeks. This fast-paced transformation leaves many feeling unprepared and overwhelmed, struggling to keep up and protect themselves in an increasingly complex world.

Donald: I’ve often wondered why people seek change in their leisure time, like going on vacation, which is a significant shift from their comfort zone. Before embarking on a vacation, I’d research extensively to understand the potential changes I might encounter. 

In the Bible, Christ’s responses to these complexities of life often seem obscure and brief. We’d likely feel confused and reluctant to embrace these changes, which aligns with some of the 10 resistance factors Jason mentioned. 

Another aspect is the contrasting attitudes towards change at different ages. Children often crave change and new experiences, constantly asking, “Are we there yet?” But as we age, our comfort in familiarity grows, and we prefer things to remain constant. 

The Bible, while concise in its depiction of these themes, presents a challenge: to get on board with changes we may not fully understand or feel prepared for. Just as the disciples in John 7 grappled with their expectations and hopes for change, we too face similar dilemmas.

C-J: I often hear the disciples asking, “What must I do?” and I find myself echoing this lately. They were accustomed to tangible acts like temple visits, sacrifices, and good works. Jesus, however, was introducing a responsibility in the spiritual realm, beyond mere obedience. He emphasized the importance of understanding the spiritual world, which is eternal, unlike the temporal physical world. 

God seeks a relationship with us, which is always evolving and requires adaptability. Life’s unexpected events, like a flat tire, remind us that nature and our lives are in constant flux. Jesus encouraged adaptability and engagement without expecting transformation. Being ‘born again’ is more than obedience; it’s about learning from life’s experiences and building a relationship with God. 

Jesus represented a shift from the expectation of a temporal Messiah to the reality of an eternal one, a significant leap for his followers and even for us today.

Jay: Those are insightful thoughts. If we interpret “The kingdom of heaven is near” as a sign of impending change, what exactly is changing? Was the kingdom absent before? Is this change specific to that era, or does it carry a universal, timeless quality? It’s challenging to grasp this concept, especially when we consider the constancy of goodness.

David: The change Jesus spoke of is spiritual, not mundane; and individual rather than societal, though it can lead to social change. Being “born again” means shedding our worldly views on good and evil and embracing God’s perspective. The kingdom of heaven is always present, offering each individual, throughout all of human history, the potential for this transformative change.

Carolyn: I reflect on our discussion this morning about grace. Before Jesus, there was a focus on actions like sacrifices and adhering to do’s and don’ts. Jesus introduced a shift to emphasize grace as a crucial element.

Donald: We marvel at the disciples’ inability to understand Jesus, thinking we would grasp it better if we were in their shoes. We struggle with concepts like the kingdom of heaven and eternal life. As Adventists, we turn to additional texts for clarity. If we only had the phrases “kingdom of heaven” and “eternal life,” it would be challenging to grasp their full meanings. Who are we to define these truths for others?

C-J: Jesus said the kingdom of heaven is always with us—past, present, and future. It’s a state of being, not a physical place like streets of gold or choirs of angels. It’s about experiencing God’s presence, like feeling immersed in nature, free from daily distractions. 

We see this in Moses’ life. Despite his privileged upbringing, he faced challenges and only truly understood God’s presence during his burning bush experience. This encounter transformed him, teaching him that his role wasn’t to be a father or god to his people, but to trust and follow God’s guidance. 

Like Daniel, who thrived and gained wisdom through his trust in God, we too face walls and challenges. These obstacles aren’t to stop us but to teach us patience and trust in God’s timing. Moses, for example, thought he needed to change his people, but God had a different plan, separating those faithful from those who weren’t. 

Our understanding of God’s word and grace comes through humility, not through asserting our interpretations.

When engaging with those outside the Christian faith, I use inclusive language like “divine” or “spirit” rather than potentially divisive terms. This approach allows God to reveal Himself in His time, drawing us closer despite our different life paths. The real paradigm shift and change come when we let God, not our flesh or our interpretations, take the lead.

Michael: I wonder if the change Jesus introduced has truly stuck. As Christians, we believe we’re different, but when it comes to spiritual change, the difference between Christianity and Judaism seems minimal, except in rituals. What does being a believer in Jesus really mean? It appears that fundamental change isn’t as evident as we might think.

Don: We often fail to embody the radical changes Jesus spoke of. How many of us actually go to the back of the line, turn the other cheek, or go the extra mile? The kind of rebirth Jesus calls for is so radical it seems almost impossible. It’s a complete reset. He links commandments to spiritual conditions, not just operational ones. This brings us back to Carolyn’s point about grace. It’s a remarkable and seemingly impossible change.

C-J: Reflecting on Jesus at the well, he’s always there, offering the living water of spiritual life. We, like the Samaritan woman, can be judged and separated, yet God is there, waiting. Personally, I don’t always actively read the Bible, but I walk and pray with God daily. I’m not always ‘drinking from the well’ because I think I know the Scripture. The stories are repetitive but consistent in their message of grace, forgiveness, and walking in the Spirit.

Jay: Michael mentioned the challenge of making change stick. It’s true, sometimes we do embody these changes, like going to the back of the line or turning the other cheek, but they don’t always last. Last week, we discussed how change should ideally lead to improvement. Yet, in spiritual matters, we often see change as black and white: bad before, good after. Why is it so hard to maintain this “good” side? 

Perhaps we need to reconsider our perspective on change, as Carolyn hinted. With grace, what does change really mean? As humans, understanding the purpose of change intertwined with grace is a challenge.

C-J: I view it as a toolbox. Jesus teaches us to use the discernment of the Holy Spirit to choose the right tool for each job. The same tool can serve multiple purposes, like driving a screw, propping open a window, or digging a hole. It’s about understanding God’s intention in each situation. Without discernment, we feel stuck and weary, but grace helps us see beyond the task to the intentional purpose of God. 

For example, writing a check can be a mundane task, or an opportunity to observe and appreciate the skill of writing, something a younger generation might not experience. I recently had a fall, and it made me rethink and see things differently, pondering the purpose of these experiences. It’s about letting go and trusting God, much like a child learning to walk. We’re all vessels for God’s mission in this dimension.

Donald: Combining this with Michael’s point about change, it raises the question: Are we really different as Christians, or are we deceiving ourselves? When we invite Christ into our lives, it’s a commitment similar to marriage—it inevitably brings change. We gather weekly because we want to be part of each other’s lives and grow from that interaction. 

It’s inevitable that inviting Christ into our lives will influence and change us. However, the challenge lies in whether we’ve grown enough to see ourselves as different people, or if we’re becoming the person God wants us to be. There’s often a feeling of guilt about not living up to what we believe God expects of us.

Carolyn: That’s precisely where grace comes into play.

Donald: Indeed, grace is central to our conversation. It’s something undeserved, a gift. Amen.

C-J: In counseling soldiers with PTSD, we use a book called The Beauty of Imperfection. These soldiers, seen as broken when returning to society, struggle with heavy burdens. The first step for them is accepting their present state: who they were, who they became, and who they are now. This acceptance is also crucial in our approach to God. 

The Beauty of Imperfection teaches that imperfection can lead to unique paths. Daniel, for example, was imperfect after his castration and becoming a ward of the state. Yet, he focused not on what he lost but on what his experiences allowed him to achieve. Being the clay in the potter’s hands involves shedding parts of ourselves, but it also shapes us into unique vessels for God’s purposes. 

When people see themselves not as broken but as evolving, they can serve in ways previously impossible.

We are in a unique time in history, each with our own challenges, but God calls us to be ambassadors. This role involves not just our actions and words but also the unspoken ways we reflect God’s presence. Vulnerability is a strength as it allows us to connect with those who struggle to find words for their inner pain. Grace, in this context, is more than a light word; it’s a powerful force that lifts us when we are unable to rise on our own. It transforms and strengthens us, helping us realize our dependence on God. This realization, this dependence, is where we find the ability to “stick” to our faith, especially in times of complete reliance on God.

Michael: When we hear commands like going to the end of the line, or going the extra mile, they seem intuitively possible. But when compared to the concept of being born again, like Nicodemus pondered, it feels impossible. If both statements are equally challenging, then maybe the change Jesus talks about isn’t about the rational actions like going the extra mile, but a different type of change.

Carolyn: Using change gives us credibility. It’s through grace that we know change is possible for our betterment.

Reinhard: The word “impossible” seems to be our burden to overcome. Jesus’ interaction with the rich young ruler shows that nothing is impossible for God. The paradigm shift Jesus introduced, like his conversation with the Samaritan woman about worshipping in spirit and truth, was revolutionary. 

We should adapt to situations, growing spiritually closer to God. As Seventh-Day Adventists, we may know the truth, but there’s always room for tuning up our beliefs based on new experiences and learnings. The key is to remember that the kingdom of God is within us, and God is close, only a heartbeat away. We should remain humble, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us in our spiritual journey.

Kiran: Reflecting on the disciples and Paul, I realize their transformation wasn’t entirely voluntary. Despite their best efforts, it was only after receiving the Holy Spirit that significant change occurred. This change often came involuntarily, sometimes gently, other times forcefully. Like when Jesus called them to follow Him, their acceptance was their only choice. After that, change happened beyond their control, often leading to difficult paths. This underscores the importance of trust. 

Paul’s journey, too, was unexpected, especially facing opposition from his own Pharisees sect. His agreement to follow Jesus on the road to Damascus was his only voluntary act. After that, everything that happened was out of his control, underscoring that change is inevitable once we accept Jesus. The key to coping with this change is trusting God, believing that everything will work out for the best.

Donald: People often resist following Christ and becoming born again due to their apprehension about change. They’re content with their current state and hesitant to alter it. We’re most open to change when we’re vulnerable and recognize our need for help.

David: While many are reluctant to change, some do manage it. The practice of canonizing saints in the Catholic Church highlights those who’ve achieved extraordinary feats in their lives, such as martyrdom. These acts show that it’s indeed possible to embody Christ-like behaviors such as turning the other cheek or going to the back of the line. The kingdom of heaven is within reach, though it’s challenging to grasp.

Jay: Next week, we’ll delve deeper into Jesus’ teaching strategies and change management.

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