Let's lift up 
"Have you been led astray, too?" the Pharisees mocked [to the Temple guards who said they had never heard anyone speak like Jesus]. "Is there a single one of us rulers or Pharisees who believes in him? This foolish crowd follows him, but they are ignorant of the law. God's curse is on them!"
—John 7:47-49 NLT
Smug rejection is such an obnoxious trait. Yet we see it often. When others don't want to grapple with the truth of Jesus or the perplexing and demanding challenges of genuine discipleship, they smugly look down their noses and speak of believers as idiots and imbeciles. Some do it more subtly than others, but the smug arrogance is still there: "If only you were as educated or smart or street-wise as we are, you would know that Christianity is a bunch of fluff for the weak." We need to remember, however, that many reject Jesus because his demands are hard, not because his existence is questionable. The religious opposition in Jesus' day was rooted in the religionists' not wanting to have to change their lives, their perspectives, their places of power, their positions, their... So when they could not explain Jesus away, they had to put down his followers and any who had an interest in what he had to say. If you listen closely today, you will continue to hear their voices. Just don't heed them! Decide for yourself, on your own, based on what you read and see of Jesus.
Father, I confess that I am frustrated by several of those around me that I love dearly but who will not accept the truth about Jesus. Please grant them an open heart. Please bless them with an openness to truth. Please use me to point them to Jesus so they can decide about him honestly for themselves from an open heart. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Ⓒ 1996-2022 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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—John 7:47-49 NLT
Key Thought
Smug rejection is such an obnoxious trait. Yet we see it often. When others don't want to grapple with the truth of Jesus or the perplexing and demanding challenges of genuine discipleship, they smugly look down their noses and speak of believers as idiots and imbeciles. Some do it more subtly than others, but the smug arrogance is still there: "If only you were as educated or smart or street-wise as we are, you would know that Christianity is a bunch of fluff for the weak." We need to remember, however, that many reject Jesus because his demands are hard, not because his existence is questionable. The religious opposition in Jesus' day was rooted in the religionists' not wanting to have to change their lives, their perspectives, their places of power, their positions, their... So when they could not explain Jesus away, they had to put down his followers and any who had an interest in what he had to say. If you listen closely today, you will continue to hear their voices. Just don't heed them! Decide for yourself, on your own, based on what you read and see of Jesus.
Today's Prayer
Father, I confess that I am frustrated by several of those around me that I love dearly but who will not accept the truth about Jesus. Please grant them an open heart. Please bless them with an openness to truth. Please use me to point them to Jesus so they can decide about him honestly for themselves from an open heart. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Related Scripture Readings
Ⓒ 1996-2022 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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