This type of change (or rebirth) is a difficult concept I suppose, because it often has more to do with letting our pride go, than anything else. The stubborn person who refuses to become teachable is not a lot of help to the kingdom of heaven - much less to you and I. And so it would seem that this process of changing - or allowing God to change us - requires a degree of humbleness and humility. Again, this is difficult for us. It means that before we met God, we may have had a skewed view of the world around us and how things operate. If Jesus changes us, then we change from the inside out. And this my friends, can look even stranger to the outside world watching a genuine believer attempt to repent and follow Christ.
One of my favorite Christian teachers is Philip Yancey. He always manages to weave in the perfect metaphor when it comes to talking about profound Biblical truth. In his book 'The Jesus I Never Knew', Yancey makes the bold claim that the way we learned about Jesus when we were younger, may in fact be part of this skewed worldview. He says that some of the things we learned in Sunday School as children may in fact be up for grabs when we stop to look at the context and Gospel accounts that we have in the New Testament as adults.
Yancey equates it to a dandelion (I told you there would be a metaphor). When this weed takes on the form of a seed head, many children can be seen plucking it from the ground and blowing on it. The seeds will then scatter across the open field or yard, only to rest and reproduce somewhere else.
This process kills the dandelion flower of course, but allows many others to form in its place. If we stop and think about it, this is exactly what Jesus' ministry did in first century Palestine. Jesus told his followers that he must die and go to the Father in order for them to do even greater things than him. Jesus had to be crucified so that salvation could come to the world. It appears that in Biblical terms, a thing must die first, before it can grow.
If you are confused at this point, don't worry - you are not alone. There are countless accounts of the disciples listening to what Jesus had to say and then scratching their heads in confusion. It's a common phenomena when exegeting Biblical truth, I think.
There is a famous story about a mustard seed in the Gospel of Matthew. Chapter 13:31-32 says, "He told them another parable: 'The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.'"
In order for the kingdom of heaven to grow and mature, the seedling itself must first die. And see how it does grow! Scripture says it becomes a tree, large enough that the birds will come and perch in the branches. A shrub or a bush wouldn't suffice here. God's plan accomplishes more than that.
The story of the resurrection is central to Christian belief, and it is the story of a dying and rising God, isn't it? We have someone who came to Earth as a child, grew into a man who began a three-year ministry that would change the world, and then all of a sudden he was crucified and died on a cross. The Bible goes on to say that Jesus was resurrected on the third day, and then spent a number of weeks moving about the countryside and showing himself to his followers and townspeople. What an experience this must have been.
He then ascends into heaven, but not before giving his disciples a bit of advice in the form of the Great Commission. "Baptize all nations" he tells them, "in the name of the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit."
Then in a blink, he was gone. Yet we are still talking about him 2,000 years later.
And we have now come to the part where we discuss what it means for you and I to 'die to self' such that we can grow also. Now this is no fun at all sometimes, let me assure you. You will recall our discussion about being humble a few moments ago. Dying to self - or letting go of earthly things in order to embrace heavenly things - requires us to be teachable. That means we are to stop being so stubborn and prideful. We are to let God in, and admit that He can accomplish more in our lives than we could otherwise do on our own.
I wish there was an easier way, but Jesus tells us in Matthew 16:24 that, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me." It is part of our religion; a part of our faith walk. We do not earn our salvation, but change will surely follow this saving grace. It is the evidence of our spiritual transition.
Nothing stays the same in this world, does it? The car wears out and then we need a new one. The kids grow up and go off to college. We get older and then retire. But in the middle of all this change is also beauty. How much more beautiful if God is at the center? We ought to consider letting Him in.
I don't believe in a spiritual neutral. God wants us to keep moving forward, keep changing, and keep improving. We are not simply to 'hang out' spiritually in one spot for an extended period of time. This goes for life down here on Earth also, and apparently for life in the kingdom of heaven as well.
We may use the analogy of a dandelion if it helps; I think Philip Yancey would be proud. But remember, we are worth far more than a flower to God. And if we are to change our life, let it be for Him.
Time to shift the car out of neutral and back into drive. And while we are at it, allow God to take the wheel.
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