But when the Jewish Festival of Tabernacles was near, Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do. No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” For even his own brothers did not believe in him. - John 7:2-5
Imagine how hard it must have been for Jesus. His family just didn't get it. The Lord's physical half brothers and sisters didn't understand and didn't believe until after his resurrection. Jesus didn't do miracles to "show out" for his disciples but to give them a sign to look beyond what they were seeing and understand that he had come from God.
Jesus wasn't trying to be a public figure, but instead, he resisted the crowd's desires to make him king. The things that would ultimately draw people to him would be the cross and the resurrection. His signs, the very miraculous things his brothers tried to goad him to perform, brought a stronger faith to some, only more questions to others, and a determined rejection of him to even others. Jesus wouldn't be bullied, teased, or ridiculed into anything. He would follow God's timing and do things God's way.
Evangelism
"For a small reward, a man will hurry
away on a long journey; while for eternal
life, many will hardly take a single step."
— Thomas à Kempis —
Thoughts
"I have read Plato and Cicero sayings that are very wise and beautiful; but I never read in either of them: 'Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give thee rest.'" - St. Augustine of Hippo
"We are no more responsible for the evil thoughts that pass through our minds than a scarecrow for the birds which fly over the seedplot he has to guard. The sole responsibility in each case is to prevent them from settling." - John Churtom Collins
The lazy man
Proverbs 22:13
The sluggard says, “There’s a lion outside!
I’ll be killed in the public square!”
[Message No: 6326]
Imagine how hard it must have been for Jesus. His family just didn't get it. The Lord's physical half brothers and sisters didn't understand and didn't believe until after his resurrection. Jesus didn't do miracles to "show out" for his disciples but to give them a sign to look beyond what they were seeing and understand that he had come from God.
Jesus wasn't trying to be a public figure, but instead, he resisted the crowd's desires to make him king. The things that would ultimately draw people to him would be the cross and the resurrection. His signs, the very miraculous things his brothers tried to goad him to perform, brought a stronger faith to some, only more questions to others, and a determined rejection of him to even others. Jesus wouldn't be bullied, teased, or ridiculed into anything. He would follow God's timing and do things God's way.
Evangelism
"For a small reward, a man will hurry
away on a long journey; while for eternal
life, many will hardly take a single step."
— Thomas à Kempis —
Thoughts
"I have read Plato and Cicero sayings that are very wise and beautiful; but I never read in either of them: 'Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give thee rest.'" - St. Augustine of Hippo
"We are no more responsible for the evil thoughts that pass through our minds than a scarecrow for the birds which fly over the seedplot he has to guard. The sole responsibility in each case is to prevent them from settling." - John Churtom Collins
The lazy man
Proverbs 22:13
The sluggard says, “There’s a lion outside!
I’ll be killed in the public square!”
[Message No: 6326]
No comments:
Post a Comment
Post a Comment