Is the story of Jesus Christ a “cleverly devised myth” (quoting St. Peter in today’s readings)? What’s striking about the Gospel stories is actually how different they are from our favorite fantasy stories, where our heroes usually arrive with omens or tremendous fanfare. For example, the classic science fiction movie The Day the Earth Stood Still begins with a montage of excited news reporters around the world announcing the approach of an alien spaceship. In another story, young Harry Potter can talk to snakes.
In contrast, Jesus was born hidden in a manger and proclaimed to just a handful of shepherds. When young Jesus spoke to the teachers in the temple, he amazed them with his wisdom, not some supernatural linguistic abilities. At his baptism, God’s voice was heard; but only by those present. When Jesus cures people, he asks them not to talk about it. That motif is most notable in the remarkable events of the Transfiguration, celebrated today: “Do not tell the vision to anyone until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
It’s hard for us to conceive of God being among us without showing off his power. That’s how our stories describe it; that’s how the prophet Daniel imagined it. But the lesson of how Jesus behaved among us is more surprising. The humility of his birth and the quiet nature of his works express his power in a way that clouds of glory could not do. I guess, when you really are omnipotent, you don’t have to show it off.
