Everything hits the blogosphere these days. Network sites are the same. Facebook carries comments on the tragic- comments like “I lost my Father to cancer today;” to the inane- a caption next to a picture of someone gorging on pizza saying, “pizza is so good.” There is no screening or separating the sublime from the ridiculous. By the sheer fact that it is on the same medium requires the reader to wade through the ridiculous to get to the real. Some people prefer the ridiculous to the real.
Don’t get me wrong. I have put my share of silly things on Facebook and even in my blogs. But, often the silence of no entry or silly entry is simply a reflection of what is or is not going on in my life or my preoccupation with good stuff and failing to get the message out. It is often a reflection of my reflections. It mirrors my movements. It highlights my busyness.
Having said that, I am struck by the closing words of John in his gospel. John, Jesus’ closest disciple, said, “Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.” It is John’s way to find closure; to wrap up his gospel scroll and feel that it is somewhat complete. He wants the reader to know that severe writer’s cramp and lack of papyrus would be the result of attempting to give the full story of the stuff that Jesus did in those final three years from his baptism to his ascension. And, I don’t think it was hyperbole. I think he meant it.
I am convinced that every day with Jesus was not only sweeter than the day before (the oldsters know the song). But, every day with Jesus was full of more revelation, more meaning and something new that had not yet been seen before. Just the notion that in many places all who came to Jesus or touched his garment were healed (Matthew 4:24; Mark 6:56; Luke 4:40) gives credence to the notion that it all just could not be written down. Each one of these incidents has a story long enough for a book. Then there was the teaching, his daily instructions for his disciples. I am sure that penetrating truth gave them something to think on and be transformed by on a daily basis.
So, imagine the blogs. Imagine the Facebook comments of the disciples if that tool were available then. Imagine the pictures that would be posted- “me overlooking the Sea of Galilee and 2,000 floating pigs.” Imagine how many people would be signed up for the blog or would want to befriend Jesus and his disciples if they had Facebook or a blog site. Why? Because Jesus is God incarnate. Because Jesus has something of substance to say. Because Jesus is daily doing something that should be recorded. Because Jesus makes a gigantic difference in his world and ours.
I have a point in all of this that makes a difference. Jesus is not here in the flesh. But, he is here in his Holy Spirit. The result is that he is here in his disciples (John 14:17; 17:26) living today. And, he promised that we would do even greater things than he was doing then (John 14:12). So, for every Christian reading this blog, let’s give the world something to blog about. In fact, let’s Facebook and blog about the stuff that matters to every human. In Jesus name, let’s put the stories of transformation and the miracles on Facebook. Let’s seek God in such a manner that the Holy Spirit bleeds through our writing. We must be living transformed lives, Jesus connected lives and Jesus empowered lives. If we are, the medium is available to get the good word and the mystery of Christ in us out to the world. Join me in the commitment to live deeply and communicate broadly.