Jesus Can Change Minds
Have you ever been in a verbal dispute with someone? One person volleys their assertions. The other person returns with differing assertions. Like a pre-orchestrated tennis match, the argument flies across the net. For every claim, their opponent refutes the tenet and volleys back their own assertion. At some point, the tiff devolves to “I am right and you are wrong.” Which is countered by the less-than-ingenious response, “No, I am right and you are wrong.” But … just imagine … for just a moment … that during this row, one person suddenly ceded, “Actually, I have changed my mind. I agree with you.” Such a thing would undercut our expectations, because we all know, people do not change their minds. Yet, in following Jesus Christ, we often need to change our minds.
In the Bible, we find the disciples changing their minds about Jesus. During the initial phase of his ministry, they are traveling by boat when a sudden squally overtakes them. The fearful twelve find Jesus sleeping in the boat’s stern. They scold their master, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown.” (Mark 4.38). Then, Jesus got up, rebuked the wind and said, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. (v.39) After Jesus scolds his feckless followers for their lack of faith, the disciples respond, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” (v.41) In short, they change their mind about Jesus – he is more than a poignant teacher. Jesus shows authority over the natural world.
Soon after, the biblical text introduces Jairus – a synagogue leader who likely opposed Jesus. (The opposition of synagogue leaders is widely noted in the four Gospels.) Yet, in a most dire circumstance, Jairus came to Jesus and pleaded earnestly with him, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live” (Mark 5.23). Whatever his previous thoughts on Jesus, Jairus sets them aside. The desperate father would do anything to save his daughter – even requests Jesus’ help.
As the event unfolds, Jesus returns with Jairus to his house, but their arrival is too late. The little girl has already died. As they arrive, Jesus [sees] the commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep” (vs.38b-39). After Jesus’ declaration the crowd responds with derisive unbelief – they laughed at him (v.40). Soon after, though, life returns to the girl’s lifeless body. The girl stood up and began to walk around (v.42). While the scriptures lack the responses of the unbelieving crowd, they most certainly changed their minds.
What about us? Do we need to change our minds about Jesus? Perhaps like the disciples, we know Jesus but have compartmentalized Jesus – like thinking Jesus can do this but not that. Perhaps, like Jairus we need to move from unbelief to belief – like realizing we are helpless and need Jesus’ saving power. Perhaps like the crowd, we disbelieve Jesus’ truths – like praying for our enemies. But, let be honest, changing our minds seldom happens, but with God, all things are possible – even the changing of our minds.
