Observation: So many different concepts and topics are in
these 29 verses! In the early part of
the verses we see that people are starting to understand who Yeshua was, but
yet they still did not fully understand.
The later part of the verses talk about how it will be in the later
days. You see I think sometimes even in
2016 we still lack full understanding.
In the time of Jesus, or Yeshua, they pictured that He would have looked
and acted differently than He did. Could
the same be true of us now?
Commentator Stephen Dray says this, “The
Pharisees did not want to change any of their ideas. They wanted to keep their
own system of religion.” Sometimes when
we do not understand something or we do not want to change we use rationalizations
that if really put under the microscope do not make any sense. Here we see the Pharisees making certain
false accusations against Christ and really if they had stop to listen to what
they were saying they were really saying Satan had more power than God. Is that really what they believed?
The bottom line is they didn’t
understand who they were dealing with and to gain a better understanding they
would have had to change some of their core beliefs, ideas and traditions. If you have ever had to change a habit or
change the way you do something it can be VERY difficult. Over the past year I have been trying to be
healthier and to eat cleaner and exercise more consistently. There are days and weeks I succeed and there
are days and weeks that I feel I am missing the mark tremendously. Change is hard!
I’m not condoning what the Pharisees
said or did, but I understand their lack of understanding and their lack of
willingness to change, but nevertheless Jesus called them out. He said (because He knows our hearts and
motives) that in the end they were wicked.
Application: Here’s the lesson: If we want to come to Jesus we must be
willing and have a TRUE desire to know more about Him and He WILL help us
understand HIS WORK better. I
highlighted three words because first, it must be a sincere desire. Sometimes people are just curious, sometimes people
have ulterior motives and sometimes people are just looking for reasons to
condemn or destroy what God is doing.
Second I believe if we are sincere about wanting to understand HIS ways
more then I believe IN TIME He will lead and guide us to the right people at
the right time and will lead us into an understanding that is important for us
to know. He says “seek and you will find”. I’ve seen this in my own life. Sometimes it does take time, but, lastly, it
will happen in HIS time. We have to be
patient. But when He does show up, let’s
be willing to be obedient. That is why
Jesus called the Pharisees ‘wicked’ because they weren’t willing to change to
follow God’s plan, they were too stuck in their own traditions because they
thought they knew better than God. The
evidence was there and it was clear, they just refused to follow it and
believe.
Every day we can learn more and more
about Him, but let it not just be head knowledge, but let’s being willing to
make those changes He shows us and be willing to follow and obey Him. OHHHHHHH the many, many blessings that we
would experience if we just get on board with Him 100% of the way. Maybe you already are, but I know in my life
I’m still learning and growing and that is why it’s so important, I think, that
we encourage each other, challenge one another a little and hold one another
accountable. Let’s be iron sharpening
iron! But in the end it is our Creator
that we will ultimately be responsible to and the One who knows our hearts and
motives. I want to be found a faithful
follower and not one of the wandering wicked.
Prayer: Father God in Heaven, Holy is Your Name. You are just and perfect and wise in all of
your ways. Father, yes we want more
understanding, but really understanding is not the important thing, following
you whether we fully understand it or not is way more important – that’s where
faith and trust are brought together.
Sometimes we have to act on that faith and experience the relationship
to gain a better understanding – atleast that is what I have discovered in my
walk. Father, in these latter days may
we seek You with a greater intensity while it is still called today! In Christ, the Promised One, I pray. Amen & Amen
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