"No one ever spoke the way this man does."
John 7:46
John 7:46
When Jesus spoke, the hearts of many became ground zero. Immediate spiritual realizations rocked His audiences, His disciples and those whom He conversed privately with. Every word was precisely timed and directly aimed. It was like Jesus had an intrinsic GPS system that guided every word to an intended soul destination...that NEVER missed the target!
What was the point?
Some were so stunned that they would marvel; "Surely this man is the Prophet!" (John 7:40). Others were so overwhelmed that they would say outrightly; "This man is the Christ!" (John 7:41). People then, like people now...were spiritually famished...right in the middle of society steeped in religious exercise and expression. In this chapter of the Bible, the annual Feast of Tabernacles was being celebrated...a remembrance of God's miraculous provisions for His people in their post-deliverance wanderings in the desert sands of Sinai, centuries and centuries before. Smack in the middle of this entire week of religious festivity, the Temple in eyesight...religious people in a spiritual black hole longed for a personal God Movement.
Does this not strike you as odd?
Teachers of the Scripture (they were called Pharisees) made it their habit to study, apply and communicate God's Word to Israel. They were disciplined learners, academically advanced, entrusted with setting the spiritual direction of the nation...and they did...they led their listeners to spiritually empty personal barrenness. They did this while they taught incessantly and while they hoisted themselves up on public prayer platforms in the business district during the lunch hour. Meticulous to the detail, these spiritual leaders and communicators parceled out to the fraction any financial offerings dedicated to God. They prided themselves on having touched all the religious bases and expecting others to listen to their renderings of Scripture (mixed with their own intellect and rule keeping) so that the 'God-man' connection could be made and sustained.
What was the point?
Some were so stunned that they would marvel; "Surely this man is the Prophet!" (John 7:40). Others were so overwhelmed that they would say outrightly; "This man is the Christ!" (John 7:41). People then, like people now...were spiritually famished...right in the middle of society steeped in religious exercise and expression. In this chapter of the Bible, the annual Feast of Tabernacles was being celebrated...a remembrance of God's miraculous provisions for His people in their post-deliverance wanderings in the desert sands of Sinai, centuries and centuries before. Smack in the middle of this entire week of religious festivity, the Temple in eyesight...religious people in a spiritual black hole longed for a personal God Movement.
Does this not strike you as odd?
Teachers of the Scripture (they were called Pharisees) made it their habit to study, apply and communicate God's Word to Israel. They were disciplined learners, academically advanced, entrusted with setting the spiritual direction of the nation...and they did...they led their listeners to spiritually empty personal barrenness. They did this while they taught incessantly and while they hoisted themselves up on public prayer platforms in the business district during the lunch hour. Meticulous to the detail, these spiritual leaders and communicators parceled out to the fraction any financial offerings dedicated to God. They prided themselves on having touched all the religious bases and expecting others to listen to their renderings of Scripture (mixed with their own intellect and rule keeping) so that the 'God-man' connection could be made and sustained.
"No one ever spoke the way that this man does."
That one comment triggered some serious anger issues for these religious but empty zealots.
Jesus did not speak to be lauded as a 'communicator'. Jesus did not speak to be admired or to scratch an ego itch. Listen to what He has to say and you decide...
Jesus did not speak to be lauded as a 'communicator'. Jesus did not speak to be admired or to scratch an ego itch. Listen to what He has to say and you decide...
"If anyone chooses to do God's will, he will find out whether My teaching comes from God or whether I speak of My own. He who speaks on his own does so to gain honor for himself, but he who works for the honor of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him." John 7:17-18
This is why the words of Jesus still 'shock and awe' in the 21st century ear...He came with a message and for a reason...'the Word made flesh'...communicating the heart of God for those 'religious' or irreligious in an audible and visual way. When He spoke, the literal dead were made alive. When He spoke, fish jumped in nets and storm winds calmed. When He spoke, compassion mattered more than duty. When Jesus opened His mouth, the Father's will that He be offered as sacrifice for sin...a permanent sacrifice for sin...a lasting sacrifice for sin so that where 'sin abounded grace did much more abound' was the offer on the table for those who would believe.
Jesus declared that He came directly from the Father and He was sent by the Father's commissioning to rescue the guilt ridden, to return the lost glory, stolen in the Garden of Eden, and to promise future hope with Him where sin had no place or power to ever 'steal' again.
This is why the words of Jesus still 'shock and awe' in the 21st century ear...He came with a message and for a reason...'the Word made flesh'...communicating the heart of God for those 'religious' or irreligious in an audible and visual way. When He spoke, the literal dead were made alive. When He spoke, fish jumped in nets and storm winds calmed. When He spoke, compassion mattered more than duty. When Jesus opened His mouth, the Father's will that He be offered as sacrifice for sin...a permanent sacrifice for sin...a lasting sacrifice for sin so that where 'sin abounded grace did much more abound' was the offer on the table for those who would believe.
Jesus declared that He came directly from the Father and He was sent by the Father's commissioning to rescue the guilt ridden, to return the lost glory, stolen in the Garden of Eden, and to promise future hope with Him where sin had no place or power to ever 'steal' again.
"Many in the crowd put their faith in Him."
John 7:31
John 7:31
Count me in 'the crowd' too!
You may be in search of meaning for today and purpose and hope for your future. Listen to the words of Jesus...and to others who speak His words to you. Listen carefully. Listen repeatedly. Listen prayerfully.
You can trust Him. In a world of skepticism...you can trust Him. In a culture of constant religious duty and time consuming and energy sapping, spirit depleting exercises...you can trust Him. Trust Him with your heart...he won't break it. Trust Him with your life...he won't waste it. Take Him at His Word. It is the kind of 'Shock and Awe' that will certainly rock doubt and skepticism into a heap from which you will arise as an astonished believer.
You may be in search of meaning for today and purpose and hope for your future. Listen to the words of Jesus...and to others who speak His words to you. Listen carefully. Listen repeatedly. Listen prayerfully.
You can trust Him. In a world of skepticism...you can trust Him. In a culture of constant religious duty and time consuming and energy sapping, spirit depleting exercises...you can trust Him. Trust Him with your heart...he won't break it. Trust Him with your life...he won't waste it. Take Him at His Word. It is the kind of 'Shock and Awe' that will certainly rock doubt and skepticism into a heap from which you will arise as an astonished believer.
No comments:
Post a Comment