Temptations of Christ Being Misunderstood
John 7:25-29 Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this He, whom they seek to kill? But, lo, He speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto Him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ? Howbeit we know this man whence He is: but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence He is. Then cried Jesus in the temple as He taught, saying, Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am: and I am not come of myself, but He that sent me is true, whom ye know not. But I know Him: for I am from Him, and He hath sent me.
The angst of Jesus is verbalized in the Temple as the people debate “who is this man?” You know the feeling I am sure. You are very clearly stating a position or instruction and the receiver twists and turns your words until what you said is unrecognizable. What was heard was heard with biased ears, preconceived ideas and agendas. Jesus is talking to people who KNOW who He is. He has proved His authority through miracles, teaching, and lifestyle. He is speaking to those who are suppose to be versed in the Torah and the Prophets and He is meeting all the criteria of the long expected Messiah and yet, here they are debating His worthiness.
The Greek word for cried is krazo. It means to call out with a loud voice. I raise my voice when I am exasperated, frustrated, mad, and in utter amazement at the lack of brain cell function in others who should understand clearly. Jesus was not some passive, mealy mouthed, itinerant, traveling show charlatan. He was and is the Son of the Living God. He raises His voice! Hallelujah, I am not alone! Jesus says, if we know God, we know Him and vice versa. Jesus is saying, there is no room here for misunderstanding. Your spirit will agree with His Spirit or it will agree with the spirit of the enemy, whoever is your father. (John 8:19,42-47, Matthew 11:27) OUCH! Jesus was and is passionate about this fact! He and His Father are one. (John 10:30)
The temptation here is loosing our cool and getting into a verbal war when a simple statement of the truth is all that is required. No debate. Stating the truth and nothing more. We all want to be right, however, we can only be right when our truth is based on the Word of God: “Thus saith the Lord.”
I am coming to understand, Jesus truly was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. (Hebrews 4:15) Are you finding any encouragement in this fact? Does it give you confidence you do have a GREAT HIGH PRIEST who stands between you and God and intercedes for you with the Father and all the Father sees is Jesus pure and holy and He will grant whatever Christ asks on your behalf? This is suppose to give us a boldness to come into His throne room and seek wisdom, answers to our questions, and direction for how He would have us live our one beautiful life: The one He ordained for us before the foundation of the world. (Psalm 139)
Today, we must answer the question Jesus always asks us as individuals: “Who do you say that I am?” Until this question is answered, there is no fellowship with the Father for no one comes to the Father except through the Son. (John 3:16, John 14:6)
What Faith Can Do by Kutlass
Treading with the assured,
Yvonne Jones
Love your perspective. I too often see Him as only meek and mild!! God bless you and your family!!