PASTOR RYAN LADEN – DEVOTIONALS
IF YOU LIKE THIS POST PLEASE FOLLOW US, SHARE WITH OTHERS AND PLEASE LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS AND GIVE US A LIKE.
Translate this site into your preferred language, look for our Google translator in our home page: diningwithjesus.net
Traduce este sitio en tu idioma preferido, busca nuestro traductor de Google en nuestra página de inicio ve a: diningwithjesus.net
I have often marveled at the amount of outright hate I see being projected at the person of Jesus Christ. People do not seem to just ignore Jesus Christ or the claims of the Gospel, when they are confronted by the person of Jesus or his many gifts of grace, they often react with a white hot intensity that I do not really understand.
Jesus Christ offers all who will receive him as their Savior and Lord the many gifts of grace and salvation seen in his work on the cross and in the beauty of the empty tomb. And even with all of these gifts and invitations to join with Jesus in his eternal future, a huge percentage of humanity seem to stand in opposition to Jesus.
In today’s devotional, we dive into a message that Jesus Christ gave to those who stood in opposition to his work. In this message from John’s gospel, we come face to face with the reason why so many oppose Jesus Christ and his many works of grace and glory.
1 After this, Jesus went around in Galilee. He did not want to go about in Judea because the Jewish leaders there were looking for a way to kill him. 2 But when the Jewish Festival of Tabernacles was near, 3 Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do.
4 No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” 5 For even his own brothers did not believe in him. 6 Therefore Jesus told them, “My time is not yet here; for you any time will do. 7 The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that its works are evil.”
(John 7:1-7 NIV11)
Opposition
In verses 1-5, we hear that Jesus was facing opposition from multiple fronts. There were those who openly proclaimed their hatred for Jesus and sought his destruction. Jesus also faced opposition from those closer to home. His own brothers stood against his mission by acting as a source of temptation and false encouragement.
Family
Jesus’ brothers were not yet followers and disciples. We know that James, the second born of Mary the mother of Jesus, eventually confessed his faith in Jesus as his Savior and Lord and that he would one day prove the reality of his faith through his death at the hands of those who persecuted the church.
It is instructive to know that even the family of Jesus struggled to believe in what they heard and saw in the work of the Lord. Many of us also have family members that we wish would join us in our faith, but sadly they seem content in their opposition to the things of God.
If you are heartbroken over the unbelief of your family, look to Jesus. He understands and has experienced this pain. When you pour out your heart to God over those you love who are far from the Lord, remember that Jesus is right there with you.
Fame and fortune
The brothers of Jesus wanted Jesus to seek fame and fortune. They did not want this for Jesus because they believed in him and wanted to see him be glorified in the eyes of the world, they were looking for benefits. They wanted to be the brothers of the Messiah.
Many people still want to be connected to Jesus Christ because of the goodies they perceive they will receive from being connected to his family. They are like these brothers. They appreciate Jesus, they like Jesus, but they are not really wanting to live as his disciples.
Verse 7
In this teaching we hear the reason for all of this opposition. Jesus made it painfully clear in verse 7, “The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that its works are evil.”
This is the reason why there is so much opposition to Jesus in this world. Jesus said that the unbelieving people of this dark and evil world hate him because he exposes the evil in their hearts.
- In order to receive Jesus Christ as your savior, you must first admit your need for a savior.
- In order to receive the gift of grace, you must first admit that you are in your sins and cannot do anything to repair the damage or repay the Lord for his generosity.
- In order to be healed, made whole, included in the salvation of Jesus Christ, you must first accept and admit that you are broken and unable to heal yourself.
Represent
If the people of this world turn against Jesus because his love, mercy, and grace expose the evil, hatred, and selfishness within their hearts, then those who represent Christ will also experience their anger and hatred.
This is why real Christianity has always been in the crosshairs of those who cannot stand to have their hearts exposed by the light of Christ. Those who oppose us, do so because they oppose Jesus.
If you have been on the receiving end of this opposition, count yourself blessed to be so identified with Jesus Christ that the unbelieving world sees the Lord in you!
In Christ,
Ryan Laden
PASTOR RYAN LADEN
Senior Pastor at PARK HILL BAPTIST CHURCH
Worked at MTN. CHURCH
Former Senior pastor at Warnbro Community Church
Studies at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
Studied at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
Studied at Baylor University
Studied at Texas Tech University
Went to Castle Hills First Baptist
Get new content delivered directly to your inbox. Please Enter your email address in the box below.
Copyright © 2024 Ryan Laden – All Rights Reserved.
DINING WITH JESUS PRODUCTIONS 
You must be logged in to post a comment.