Testing WB
…We don’t have a high priest who can’t sympathize with our weaknesses but instead one who was tempted in every way that we are, except without sin. -Hebrews 4:15
Lenten greetings, my dear readers! During this season, Christians are invited to reflect honestly and realistically on the problem of sin, suffering and death. Perhaps you’ve experienced some church trauma around these ideas. Churches have a bit of a reputation for engendering a profound sense of shame on the masses. Or perhaps your church categorically avoids the topic and so you haven’t developed much language around the concept of sin.
Baber ident 300
But sin, suffering and death are so present that we cannot ignore their impact on our lives. One of the goals I have in writing Wesley Bros Comics is navigating more helpful language around Christian beliefs for folks who have found themselves on either end of extreme beliefs. If language around “sin” has become unpalatable, yet the problem of sin remains, what language can we agree upon to address real issues?
This is where I find power in the concept of forgiveness. Can I learn from my own failures? Can I respond well to the failures of others? Can I release myself and others from the emotional and spiritual bondage felt when one of us biffs it big time? What is behind the failure that could use my compassion? How can we sit together at the table, zealots and tax collectors, sinners and pharisees? What if the big test isn’t proving how right I am, but learning enough patience, forgiveness and compassion to embrace our persecutors?*
This week’s comic was inspired by several phone conversations I’ve overheard, where I was thoroughly impressed by the skill with which the person in the office handled an impertinent caller. After one such call, the staff person said to me, “I’m just gonna have to let her be Jesus’ problem, not mine.” She added that she would be miserable if she let angry callers get her down, and so she’s learned to respond with kindness and compassion, even if it doesn’t de-escalate the call. “Whatever’s got that person riled up won’t be helped if I get riled up with them.”
Whatever testing comes your way this Lent, remember that Jesus was tempted in every way, and yet was without sin. Also remember that Jesus got pretty pissed off and snarky sometimes, so do with that what you will.
PS. There is an Ash Wednesday special comic over on Patreon and my social media. Go find it and share it with others!
* Note, in situations of abuse and safety, forgiveness often requires removing oneself from the presence of the abuser.