It Doesn't Seem Right

As I have grown older, my interest in sports has decreased. I used to love pro football, but something about a defensive lineman making a tackle after a 4-yard gain on 1st down -- and then strutting around flexing and posing has turned me off. But I digress.

I do enjoy college football more now than ever. I love the way the fans so avidly follow their teams. One of the greatest rivalries is Texas-Texas A&M. Tens of thousands of people in burnt orange trying to outshout tens of thousands of others in maroon. "Hook 'em, horns!" "Gig 'em, aggies!" Imagine how it would throw things out of kilter if someone in burnt orange slipped out onto the field and led the crowd in the A&M fight song. Bedlam would ensue. It doesn't seem right, does it?

Well, it's not a perfect parallel -- but it strikes me as just as odd. One day, Jesus came across a man who possessed a demon. The demon began yelling at the top of his voice, "Ha! What do you want from us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are -- the Holy One of God!"

Just a few verses later, we find people bringing others with various illnesses -- and Jesus was healing them. As demons were coming out of people, they were shouting, "You are the Son of God!"

Demons cheering for Jesus? It doesn't seem right, does it?

Now imagine a different scenaro: A Texas-Texas A&M game where the fans sat quietly in the stands. No burnt orange or maroon to identify anyone by. No "hook 'em, horns!" No "gig 'em, aggies!" Just silence. It doesn't seem right, does it?

How about this one: A sinner -- redeemed, cleansed, set free from sin. Filled with the Holy Spirit of God. Adopted as a child of the Father Himself. Promised an eternity in heaven. The response: Silence. No cheering. No identifying marks. Just silence. It doesn't seem right, does it?

Jesus once said of his disciples, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out." Rocks having to testify about Jesus because those he has saved remain quiet? It doesn't seem right, does it?