What is His Deal?
When we know a little about someone and have lots of questions we might utter, “What’s the deal with this person?” This happens when we find someone unique and surprising. Information is a comfort to us because we are rational creatures, and we navigate our way through the external world by gathering information. We especially want it if we have anxiety about something.
The NFL and all watching had something frightful to absorb when one of the players unexpectedly collapsed. All the other players were deeply concerned. Athletes and staff wanted information; they wanted to know if their colleague was going to make it. They could not be consoled without more awareness of his condition.
In important experiences of life, we want to know more. The Gospels of the New Testament communicate events that evoke wonder even as they answer some questions about who Jesus is. One strong example is the story of the calming of the storm (Mark 4:35-41). The disciples in the boat with Jesus cry out to him because of the severity of the storm that tosses them. When Jesus calms the waters and pacifies the wind, they are stunned: And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” I have always been drawn into the phrasing of the King James Version: “What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
In the Epiphany, and all the Sundays after the Epiphany the Gospels and other Scripture themes give glimpses of what manner of man Jesus is. Our souls may ask what is the deal with this Jesus, and it is a good question. Our faith in him reveals this to be “his deal”: he is God, and through him, we have a connection to Life itself, Love itself; all that we are meant to know is fulfilled in Christ.
When the sages from afar examine the odd star that announces the birth of a king, they are compelled to go and find this child. They want to know what sort of king has such a star to herald his birth; they want to bring him gifts. When the people at the Jordan River see Jesus baptized and hear the divine voice identifying him as the Son of God, the Beloved, they wonder what this rabbi is about. When the fishermen hear Jesus call them to follow and find that they drop all to do so, they puzzle over what this guy is about.
May we all see significant bits about Jesus Christ and find ourselves drawn to him and wanting to know more as we enter this new year. Moving deeper into awareness of Christ’s identity will be a process of discovery of ourselves as well.