Sight Unseen

Have you ever noticed a reflection in a mirage? Several summers ago I saw this phenomenon as I was driving behind a large truck on a hot road. I caught a glimpse of the underside of the truck reflected in a mirage on the road. This intrigued me; as, I pondered how it was possible to see a reflection of a real object in an unreal one. The American Heritage Dictionary defines mirage as: “An optical phenomenon that creates the illusion of water, often with inverted reflections of distant objects, and results from distortion of light by alternate layers of hot and cool air. Also called fata morgana.” In cartoons, mirages are depicted as elaborate visions of tropical oases, complete with palm trees and luscious clear pools. They spring up suddenly in the hot desert, and then disappear just as the sun-addled hero is preparing to dive in. This sort of illusion is purely fictional and the product of a writer’s imagination. The road mirages we see are termed inferior mirages, because they appear below the horizon. Superior mirages appear above the horizon, and are due to a cooler level of air occurring below a warmer level of air. These mirages occur over icy landscapes and extremely cold water. This type of mirage causes one to see a scene higher in the air than normal. It is possible to see a boat or island seemingly floating in mid-air. These mirages also distort objects, making them seem elongated. I have never seen this sort of mirage, but at least now I know if I see a boat floating in the air, I’m not hallucinating. That being said, my point is that our eyes can be fooled. Christianity struggled in the throes of the mirage of errant thought until Martin Luther’s eyes were opened by the reading of Romans 1:17, “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, the just shall live by faith.” Faith is confidence, trust, reliance, assurance, conviction, belief, devotion and loyalty. All of these are traits of God, and traits that He desires to cultivate in us. Deuteronomy 7:9 tells us, “Know therefore that the Lord thy God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love Him and keep His commandments to a thousand generations.” When we see the reflection of truth in the mirror of a lie, it is so easy to become disoriented and begin to believe that lie. God’s love is not a mirage.

Made Alive By The Spirit

Two theories of Christ’s historicity have been purported, either He never existed, or he did not die at Roman hands. Both are positively eradicated by historical evidence from secular authorities, Jewish references and Christian sources.

Secular writers had absolutely nothing to gain by attesting to Christ’s existence. Ironically, secular critics striving to discredit Him only succeeded in fixing Him historically. Lucian of Samosata was one such writer. Of Christ He remarks, “The Christians, you know, worship a man to this day. . . You see, these misguided creatures start with the general conviction that they are immortal for all time. . .” (McDowell, TNE, 121).

Contrary to the secular disregard for Christ’s historical existence, the Jewish scholars had every reason to discredit Him. He was not accepted as Messiah by the Jews and their scorn for Him was not unapparent. The Babylonian Talmud records, “On the eve of Passover they hanged Yeshu.” The Jews never discredited Jesus’ existence, only His Messiahship.

Early Christians suffered severely for their faith. If they knew positively that the resurrection and ascension did not occur, what would be their motive for steadfastly holding their faith? They also had nothing to worldly to gain except for persecution. I Peter 3:18 proclaims, “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit."


McDowell, Josh. The New Evidence that Demands a Verdict. Nashville: Thomas NelsonPublishers, 1999.

Bless Me, Oh Lord. . .

The Prayer of Jabez was very popular in Christian song and literature several years ago; I would pray it daily back then; and honestly, I have not remembered to pray it in quite a while.  The prayer is written in I Chronicles 4:9, 10, tucked in between stoic rows of genealogy.  Genealogy is significant in scripture for use in the tracing of bloodlines; the lineage of Christ can be directly traced back to Abraham (Matthew 1:1-17).  The Archaeological Study Bible states, “In societies organized around kinship, genealogies. . . serve as public record that document history, establish identity and/or legitimate office (1559). While genealogies are important, page after page of “begats” can make your eyes start to cross.   The Prayer of Jabez is a breath of fresh air in the stone-lined hallways of history.  I Chronicles 4:9,10, “And Jabez was more honorable than his brothers.  And his mother called his name Jabez, saying because I bore with sorrow.  And Jabez called to the God of Israel, saying, If You would bless me, and make my border larger, and Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, so that it may not grieve me!  And God gave him what he asked” (The Interlinear Bible).  That is all the Bible says about Jabez. Not a word before or after concerning him.  This prayer is like a bonus for being faithful to read all the chapters of lineage.

 The name Jabez means, “He makes sorrow or height” (Lockyer, ATMOTB, 165).  Jabez wasn’t about to let his name, or the circumstances of his birth stand in the way of his relationship with God.  He asks for a blessing and asks to have his border made larger.  Zabez shows his faith in God by his prayer, “And all things, whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive” (Matthew 21:22 The Interlinear Bible).  In essence, Zabez is asking, “God bless me, give me more influence, more scope, and open horizons.”  Zabez didn’t just ask for more.  He asked for more with God’s presence and blessing upon it.  No material possession, earthly pleasure or prestigious position is anything but dead without God’s presence and influence in one’s life.  With a wink to his sorrowful name, Zabez asks God to keep him from evil, so that it may not grieve him.  The grievance asks to be free of grief!  Finally, God gave him what he asked.  These two little verses in a sea of pedigrees are an encouragement to believers.  Despite his unhappy beginnings, Zabez’s faith in God and boldness in prayer changed everything.  Remember to pray this prayer and remember, “Therefore, let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and we may find grace for help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16 The Interlinear Bible).

Lockyer, Herbert.  All the Men of the Bible.  Grand Rapids:  Zondervan Publishing House, 1958.