The Truth About Jesus
The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. The man who has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit.
(John 3:31-34)
Jesus’ thoughts and ways are far superior to man’s thoughts and ways. I am reminded of God’s words through the prophet Isaiah:
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
(Isaiah 55:8-9)Who has understood the mind of the LORD, or instructed him as his counselor? Whom did the LORD consult to enlighten him, and who taught him the right way? Who was it that taught him knowledge or showed him the path of understanding? (Isaiah 40:13-14)
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. (Isaiah 40:28)
Jesus testified to the truth. Yet, as our verses for today tell us, “no one accept(ed) his testimony.” The people of His day regarded His words as non-important–a non-issue to them–not too dissimilar to what we find today. People do not want to be bothered if it means that the ultimate authority of their life must change. Satan has blinded people’s hearts and minds from the truth of living of living and dying with the assurance and freedom that comes from salvation in Christ Jesus. Proverbs tells us:
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. (Proverbs 1:7)
What God holds out to mankind is amazing–“exceedingly, abundantly above all we can ask or imagine” (Ephesians 3:20)–yet, many shrug their shoulders apathetically continuing on in their ignorance or simply selfish ways–having a total disregard of God’s best for their lives. I am reminded of the words prophetically describing Jesus penned by the prophet Isaiah:
He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. (Isaiah 53:3)
Despised and rejected by those He came to save, Jesus laments as He looks out over the city of Jerusalem:
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’ “
(Matthew 23:37-39)
Jesus knew that our need was very great. We are like helpless sheep and our Shepherd knows each need and how to fill it:
Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
(Matthew 9:35-36)
Take It to Heart
The reality of Jesus’ mission remains … he came to save sinners … sinners like you and me!
Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. He taught in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.
He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, and he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
(Luke 4:14-21)
