I think all the time. According to the StrengthsFinder, “People strong in the Intellection theme are characterized by their intellectual activity.  They are introspective and appreciate intellectual discussions.” That’s me.  But notice that word “introspective.” It means that I spend time wandering around inside my head, safely gathering opinions and distributing judgment without interference.

As safe as the theology bloggers who were sitting in a packed room listening to Jesus.

A man had just been lowered through the roof of the room. If that had been our living room, it would have meant removing a layer of shingles, the roof boards, cutting through the joists and then breaking through the ceiling itself. If Jesus was at a Bible study in our living room and that had happened, the sheer destruction would have dominated the conversation through a whole new pot of coffee. People don’t come through suburban roofs except on CSI.

Apparently, however, people in the first century concentrated better. When Jesus said to the man who came through the roof, “Son, your sins are forgiven”, the theology bloggers started writing the first paragraph of their next post: ““Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

Of course, they started writing it in their heads. They wouldn’t dare say anything out loud, in front of the crowd. Everyone else was amazed and thrilled and waiting for Jesus to make this immobile man move. And with every eye on Jesus, he turned to them. He said, “Why are you thinking these things? Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’?”

People who hide criticism hate mind-readers. I know this well. And I know not only paralytics need sins forgiven.

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