I love watching the old detective TV shows on Me TV. From Perry Mason,
lawyer yet a detective of sorts, to Mannix, Jim Rockford, Ironside, Perry’s
alter ego, and 77 Sunset Strip, I love trying to figure out who dunnit. Based
on the clues provided, many of us who watch are surprised at the ending that the
writer had in mind, cleverly hiding key clues. Some revealed in the last 10
minutes, some fabricated, some you wonder “where did that come from?” but all
keeping you interested until the end. And guessing. Only one show from the
seventies, Ellery Queen, did he go over all the clues at the end before
revealing the who that dunnit, giving us one more chance to see what he saw.
And still guessing wrong. But common to all is the unwritten rule of client
confidentiality, a sacred trust between client and employer, which always seems
to get Mannix or Perry into trouble.
In one episode where Mannix is trying to help his client, she gives evasive
answers, and he tells her if she doesn’t trust him, he cannot help her anymore.
“But I’ve told you everything I know,” she explains, his answer made me think.
“But to every illogical question you provided a logical answer.” In other
words, it all sounds fake or made up. Which to me is one of the most important
things when sharing the gospel, or answering questions. We think we have to
provide a logical answer to each question, when many come from an illogical
situation. Maybe the way I look at it is “don’t try to explain an irrational
situation using rational terms, or ideas.” It won’t and don’t work. Yet we all
try to be Mannix, to find out what Perry knew, what was in Rockford’s files, and
what clues were cleverly hidden from us by the writers to keep us in suspense.
So get over it and enjoy the show...when it is in reruns later next month you’ll
have a head start on the competition. Even Spock would say that is
logical....
But we think we need to study, to have an answer for everything because we
are Christians. Somewhere we were taught that, heard that, and believed that.
But too often the correct answer is “I don’t know, but I’ll find out.” While
other times the scripture comes alive instantly, as the spirit gives us the
words we need instantly, just like it promises, when called before judges you
will be given the words to say by the holy spirit. These words, rhema, verse
needed just when they are needed, come from only the holy spirit, and without
them we lean on our own understanding. Or lie a little....for effect. But the
truth is the rhema, and it takes us on a scriptural journey through out the
Bible, taking us places we may or may not know about, and never thought of.
That judge may be a judge, a cellie, a family member, or co-worker. Someone at
church who knows all the answers but hasn’t heard all the questions. I think
you know what I mean without naming names.
One of the men in my inmate family, in Corcoran, was being harassed by some
so-called Christians who were really cultists. He felt beaten down, and wrote
me for help. And I didn’t know the answer, a common fault around here. So I
asked God, and he provided the rhema I needed. The studying to find myself
approved part came in the fact I had to verify his answer, which took me deeper
into the word. But it was the spirit who gave me the words in the words, and
gave them meaning. And when I heard back from this inmate, it had opened his
eyes, and when he addressed the cultists with it, they backed off and left him
alone. They don’t bother him anymore. One illogical question with a seemingly
logical answer had escaped us all, but in it by his spirit, Jesus was able to
minister to me, him, and hopefully the cultists. And to the guards who read
each letter, and this one too. Without the spirit giving me the rhema I needed,
all memorization, study, reading, and note taking was in vain. Emphasizing once
again the importance of the holy spirit in our lives. Whose job it is to point
us to Jesus, who points us to his father, giving him all the glory. Now like
with Ellery, you have been given all the clues again, who dunnit in your life?
Jesus or religion?
Reading more and enjoying less? You need the spirit to open your eyes to
the truth. For it makes no sense that God would come down, sacrifice his own
son for a bunch of people who hated him, and forgive us because he loved us
enough he wants us to spend eternity with him , and not in hell. Without the
spirit, you may provide scriptural evidence, but lose your audience. You may
provide a correct answer, but not the right answer. The things of the spirit
are foolishness to the natural man, saved or unsaved. Maybe we need to refer to
Mannix’s quote and trust the spirit more. Do you try to provide a logical
answer to every illogical situation? Or do you trust God? Do you read the
Bible as a who dunnit, wondering who wins in the end?
So don’t be like the guy who fast forwards to the end, or reads the last
chapter and even though he knows how it ends, and who dunnit, has missed how the
final answer was arrived at. As Christians we know how it will end, we just
don’t know how every day will unfold. Which should keep us hungry for the
spirit, for my life at best is illogical, but to God makes perfect sense. Perry
Mason will agree that any good lawyer knows the answer before he asks the
witness, we all know Jimmy lives at 29 Cove Road in Malibu, been there, Mannix
drove Barris Kustoms, Ironside rode a wheelchair, and Kookie, Kookie never lent
anyone his comb. We know these things to be true but only make sense if you
watch the show they are associated with. Would Perry live in an old trailer at
the beach? Would Stu Bailey let anyone but Kookie park his car? Were Charlie’s
Angels really angels? When the end is revealed, somehow it will all make sense,
as for now, it all may seem illogical, I’m just going to trust God. Which makes
perfect sense, just don’t ask me to explain it....I just gave you the clues.
Jesus done it! By his spirit. And he’ll be right back...
love with compassion
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com