Michael Card has a new album out, all from the Gospel of Luke. The subtitle is “A World Turned Upside Down” and the corresponding book is “Gospel of Amazement.” The two songs I like the best are “What Sort of Song?” and “A Breath of a Prayer.” Another song, “Pain and Persistence of Doubt,” accuses the characters in the gospel, and those who hear the song, of clinging to doubt and rejecting hope. Quoting the angels at the tomb, Michael Card sings: “Why search for the living here among the dead; can’t you see that He’s simply not here?” I want to defend myself, defend them. Jesus was dead. Crucified. Dead seems pretty hopeless. And you’re condemning us for not hoping? Hope is one thing when we’re wishing, when something is going wrong, when someone is just sick. But shall we believe delusions and run and tell everyone and pray for things that are impossible?
Hope hurts. Resurrection is only amazing because death is real. When you hope for another outcome, especially after death already
is
the
outcome,
you’re setting yourself up for painful disappointment. Who can be blamed for accepting reality? Building a life on what happened before instead of on what might happen, on cryptic words and promises?
In Jesus’ case, it didn’t matter that no one was hoping for His resurrection. He had it taken care of, and would raise Himself from the dead because He had promised it; because His resurrection proved He had conquered sin and death. When Jesus raised Lazarus, and the few other people during His earthly ministry, He surprised believers with His choice to wait, to not grieve, to touch and command the dead. None of the outcomes were dependent on human faith. Whether the family or disciples hoped or not, Jesus was going to act.
To God be all glory.
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