Tag: metaphor

Metaphor?

Barbara Weber

John 11:11-15 WEB

He said these things, and after that, he said to them, “Our friend, Lazarus, has fallen asleep, but I am going so that I may awake him out of sleep.” [12] The disciples therefore said, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.” [13] Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he spoke of taking rest in sleep. [14] So Jesus said to them plainly then, “Lazarus is dead. [15] I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe. Nevertheless, let’s go to him.”

Some Christians believe the Word of God is black and white with rigid borders and boundaries. Other Christians turn everything into a metaphor with a plethora of meanings. So, which is it? Is the Bible to be obeyed to the letter? Or, should the Bible be analyzed as a metaphor so that people can take a range of meanings from the Word? In the above passage, Jesus mixes metaphor with concrete action.

Jesus tells the disciples Lazarus has fallen asleep. Actually, Lazarus is not sleeping, he is dead. What do we do with a passage like this? Do we call Jesus a fool or a liar? No, of course not. Jesus is hinting at the coming resurrection. When he says “Lazarus, has fallen asleep,” it is a metaphor that expands the meaning to something greater than the words therein. Lazarus had died but was going to awake from death.

But the metaphor is only part of the passage. There is also a concrete, black and white, command. Jesus tells the disciples, “Neveretheless, let’s go to him.” It was time for Jesus’ entourage to make their way to Bethany. They were in danger of being arrested and killed. So, it was not an easy command to obey. Without the hope found in the metaphor, the command seemed pointless.

Lord, help me listen to your Holy Spirit so that I can understand your Word. Fill me with obedience and understanding. Let your Word be a lamp to my feet. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Angels Ascending

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John 1:50-51 WEB

Jesus answered him, “Because I told you, ‘I saw you underneath the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these!” [51] He said to him, “Most certainly, I tell you, hereafter you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

I have never seen an angel floating up or down from Heaven. Have you?  Did the disciples? There is no mention in the New Testament of the disciples ever witnessing angels ascending and descending on Jesus. At the temptation of Christ, the angels came and ministered to Him. I suppose that could be the fulfillment of this verse. The Lord spoke in parables, metaphors. Did the disciples understand that this was a metaphor? I wonder how much statements such as this challenged the belief of the disciples. Besides the Messiah, Jesus was a prophet. Much of what he said had little meaning unless understood as a story that means something else. How hard was it for His disciples to remain in faith? They saw the miracles, but they also saw the times Jesus prayed and nothing happened. They heard the wisdom and then there are these ambiguous metaphorical statements. Jesus had a faith that took him all the way to the cross. He faced and endured death with the confidence that God would raise Him from the dead. No matter what happened, whether glorious or horrifying, Jesus remained in faith. At the cross all the apostles fled. Their faith failed. I wonder if this prophecy is one of the expectations that made it hard to understand what was happening at the crucifixion.

Lord Jesus, please give me eyes to see what you are doing and ears to hear what you are saying. I hope to recognize you Lord in my life and in the coming age. In Jesus’ name, amen.