Today’s Reading: John Ch 8
Optional readings: John Ch 7, 9-10
Jerusalem- Jesus’ Claims
These poor guys; they just weren’t getting it.
Jesus’ own brothers were raised with Him and did not believe (at least not until after the resurrection).
The Pharisees went to Hebrew school to study the Scriptures. They were mentored by rabbis. They discussed the Torah and the Prophets all the time. They were as certain as anyone could be about the Scriptures and the prophecies concerning the Messiah. Yet they did not recognize Him when He came.
The crowds were divided, some having simple faith in Him and some more skeptical about His claims. His teachings brought surrender to some, indignation to others, and confusion to many.
Even Jesus’ own disciples didn’t get the full picture until they saw Him resurrected! They heard all His teachings and witnessed all His miracles. Jesus even told them plainly that he would die and then be raised back to life. Why did they seem surprised when it happened?
Jesus had spiritual insight that the people did not yet have. Perhaps this is why each spiritual teaching Jesus said was met with, “What does He mean?”
“Beware the yeast of the Pharisees”
Is this because we forgot to bring bread?
“Where I am going, you cannot come.”
Where could he possibly go where we couldn’t find him?
“The truth will set you free.”
But we’ve never been slaves, so…?
John 10:6 says, “the Pharisees did not understand what He was telling them.”
Matthew 7:5 says, “even His own brothers did not believe in Him.”
Luke 18:34 says, “The disciples did not understand any of this. Its meaning was hidden from them, and they did not know what he was talking about.”
Aha! They weren’t intended to understand. “Its meaning was hidden from them.”
Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand…. I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen, you will believe that I am who I am.” John 13:7,19
So if those closest to Jesus and those most educated in the Jewish faith got it wrong, isn’t it possible that we might get some things wrong also?
Nobody likes a know-it-all.
A family member of ours had a new boyfriend, and she brought him to a little family gathering. He was quick to tell us that he had his doctorate ABD (all but dissertation). He proceeded to educate us on every subject in every academic discipline. Any contribution from someone else was quickly rebutted with, “Actually…” He even tried to school the medical doctor in the room about medicine.
(He is no longer in our family, by the way.)
We all chuckle about it now, but boy, was it irritating at the time. (I’m being transparent here. My spirit was not as charitable as it should have been. Let’s just keep that between us.)
Isn’t it funny how we so quickly recognize pride in someone else but are so slow to see it in ourselves?
If we are actually an expert in our field, let’s speak with humble confidence. But if we are not, let’s make allowance for the fact that we don’t know everything.
This goes double for prophetic matters. I had a prophecy teacher say once that prophecy is meant to only be fully understood in hindsight. I think there is at least some truth to that. We can discern the seasons and recognize some signs, but it is arrogant to think that we have the whole picture.
Regarding theology, I love this succinct quote that’s pretty famous in Wesleyan circles:
“In essentials, unity;
in non-essentials, liberty;
in all things, charity.”
Okay Lord, I don’t want to be a know-it-all. It’s prideful. Maybe I’ve been too bossy or too haughty. Help me to see it when it happens. And when my mouth needs to be shut, I give you permission to do so! Amen.