Tag: crowd
Clash of the world-views!
Scripture reading for April 15: John 7
“The officers then came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, “Why did you not bring him?” The officers answered, “No one ever spoke like this Man!” The Pharisees answered them, “Have you also been deceived? Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in Him? But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed.” Nicodemus, who had gone to Him before, and who was one of them, said, “Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?” They replied, “Are you from Galilee too? Search and see that no prophet arises from Galilee.”” John 7:45-52
Many of the religious leaders of Jesus’ day were a proud and judgmental bunch. They were jealous of Jesus and the crowds that followed Him. They plotted to trap Him and kill him. They mocked the guards that were in awe of Jesus’ teaching. They resented that He was not part of their click. They accused any of their own number who questioned their accusations as being deceived by Him. They accused the crowds of being under a curse. When our world view sees Jesus as a threat and His followers as deceived, what we accuse others of is most often what we are doing ourselves. We are deceived and under a curse from the evil one. Our soul is in danger and we blame Jesus and His followers!
This controversy is alive and well in our time and culture. Those that are under deception mock Jesus and seek to block Him and His Word from their lives. And if this is not sufficient, they seek to remove His influence from our culture and government, making un-godly laws and waging warfare against God and His people. If anyone disagrees or stands up for Jesus, they are mocked, persecuted and cancelled. If only they would listen to Jesus and consider His Word. If they could look in the mirror and see their own spirit of murder and lies, they could repent and escape the curse of true deception and eternal hell.
Have you experienced some of the same treatment in our time and culture? What are some ways that you have avoided deception and judging those who accuse or mistreat Christians and Jews? Do you take time to give those who oppose you a hearing and seek to peaceable share the Good News?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your amazing patience with me in my early years of opposition to You and Your people. Help me today to love my enemies and do good to those who would oppose me. Give me grace to love them and pray for their salvation. Amen.