SHARING BREAD
25 At that point some of the people of Jerusalem began to ask, "Isn't this the man they are trying to kill? 26 Here he is, speaking publicly, and they are not saying a word to him. Have the authorities really concluded that he is the Christ? 27 But we know where this man is from; when the Christ comes, no one will know where he is from."
John 7:25-27 (NIV)
Jesus must certainly have had His fill of the maliciously taunting rabble. Our Lord received the least embracing and welcoming from those one would have expected the most from. Indeed their familiarity demonstrated here, breeding contempt. Willingly ignorant, obstinately blind, these Jews were determined not to be persuaded of the Truth of Jesus. It was a well known prophecy among them that the Christ would come from Bethlehem and had they searched or inquired they would have known Jesus had indeed been born there. Not only that, they would have discovered His perfect pedigree for the prophesized Savior – His mother and Joseph both being included in the lineage of King David. Certainly our verses for today give proof – yet again - to the following Scripture:
11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. John 1:11 (NIV)
“They do not believe what they do not like to believe. They will neither read, nor listen, nor search, nor think, nor inquire honestly after truth. Can any one wonder if such persons are ignorant? Faithful and true is that old proverb: ‘There are none so blind as those who will not see.’” J. C. Ryle
Sadly, Jesus received no welcome from His own. They were full of rejection - refusing to accept Him as the Revelation sent by the Father – ever reviling His Words. Albeit, even in their disdain, they could not lay hold one hand upon our Lord before His “time had fully come”. They held no power over Him but only that which was allowed from above. This should certainly be an unspeakable comfort to all who are servants of Christ Jesus – nothing can happen without God’s permission – no sorrow, no sickness, no pain, and no poverty. We can rightly say to every cross we must carry the Words Jesus spoke to Pilate:
11 Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin." John 19:11 (NIV)
The crosses we carry are uniquely and divinely designed to conform us to the image Christ. Therefore, we should not shirk away from God’s best rather willing embrace with joy what He allows. Thankfully, there is purpose in each cross we bear. To be sure, the Hand that governs and guides all things here below makes no mistakes. All power and all strength are His alone. We can trust Him. We can depend on Him. He remains forever faithful.
13 "In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling. Ex 15:13 (NIV)
God never wastes anything particularly His children’s pain and sufferings. They are instruments used in the Masters Hand to mature and grow us so that we will not be lacking of anything. His will is to perfect us. His will is to make us like Jesus. This is why James states:
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4 (NIV)
Peter adding the following:
6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:6-9 (NIV)
What I glean from this:
• Jesus was not accepted by those closest to Him. He was well familiar with rejection and can empathize when I go through the same experience.
• My blindness to Truth can be willful and obstinate.
• I am to embrace with joy what God allows as it is always for my good and His glory. It is God’s desire for me to be like Jesus. 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. Romans 8:28-30 (NIV)
