The religious elite ignored Him as long as they could. Since Jesus sported no theological degrees and wasn’t part of the pastors guild, they didn’t take Him seriously. He was not credible in their eyes. But they could only follow this course for so long. His influence grew so large that they couldn’t ignore Him any longer. So they must extend to Him the credibility of engagement.
They came out with all guns blazing, seeking to refute Him. First, their pushback was targeted at the content of His teaching. But after realizing that they couldn’t successfully discount what He said, they downshifted to an ad hominem assault. Personal attacks became their new weapon for dismissal: “He has no authority to say what He’s saying.” “He’s not seminary trained.” “He has no ordination papers.” “He’s not a scholar.”
Then it escalated: “He was born as the result of fornication.” “He’s a blasphemer.” “He’s deceptive.” “He’s a glutton and a drunkard.” “He’s a false prophet.” And the ultimate attack: “Satan is working through Him!”
Strikingly, this same story has been played out on virtually every bloodstained page of church history. And unfortunately the destiny of many who have followed in Jesus’ steps has been the same as His: persecution, suffering, and even execution.
“Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.”
Human nature changeth not. Nor do the systems men create, be they secular or religious. The reactions are all the same. When men feel threatened, the evil they are capable of in the name of God (and while defending Him) defies sanity. Jesus was put to death chiefly because of jealousy.
For he [Pilate] knew it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him.
The favor and anointing of God will always garner the jealousy of those who do not possess them. Abel, upon whom God looked with favor, is not alone in those who were persecuted by a jealous Cain.
Jealousy still lives and breathes in the hearts of the religiously ambitious and insecure.
Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by evil spirits, and all of them were healed. Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail.
When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and talked abusively against what Paul was saying.
Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and not a few prominent women. But the Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city.
The ways of God changeth not either.
*** This post is an excerpt from Chapter 6 of Jesus: A Theography published by Thomas Nelson. ***
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Frank I don’t undertand it when pastors advise us to only listen to them or not to read any material outside of what they recommend. My pastor frowned when I told him I was reading some good books on faith and christianity. He told me I was only to listen to him. This is true regarding my best friend who became a minister. When I talk about my study through people like you, they turn deaf ears. When I told him I had prayed to God for him to put the right material in my hands,he became silent and looked confused. I was wondering if he was trying to think of a statement to discredit God in this case?
Really appreciate this post, and the “Big Jesus Book”. 🙂
It seems that when someone decides that they have “arrived” and have it all figured out, they are ripe for condemning, belittling, and even attacking those whose views do not line up with theirs.
But Jesus exalts meekness (blessed are the meek…), which is to be free from pride and to possess a humble, teachable spirit.
To go along with your post, meek also means to not be easy to provoke. The Hebrew use of the word in the OT can mean “suffering”.
May the meek truly inherit the earth…
Yes Frank, it’s amazing how people fear what they don’t understand and how they react to this.
Maybe it was just as disappointing to the apostles when the same old green dragon raised its ugly head in the infant church. But, heck, they had their own fight with him while they walked with Jesus. Worse for me than seeing the same spirits that tear at the world running amok in my church, my sanctuary, was to face them in the mirror, each and every day. But, isn’t it supposed to be different in his kingdom? Then it seemed as if the Lord reminded me that the church is not the place where these problems never enter. No, the church is the place where they are constantly, daily, dealt with and defeated. Thanks Frank for being available so the Spirit can use you to nudge us Jesus’ way.
Oh man… Another great book which I MUST read. I have almost all of them but I’ve only read 3.5 in the last couple of months. I started with Pagan Christianity but put it down after learning about the balancing act with Reimagining Church. (I was already on board with the tenor of Pagan anyway.) Then I put off Reimagining to read From Eternity to Here while waiting for God’s Favorite Place on Earth. So I was about to get back to Reimagining only to now get distracted with Jesus: A Theography which is on the shelf with all the other books I’ve yet to read.
I really enjoyed the poetic and inspirational nature of From Eternity to Here and God’s Favorite Place so now I think I’ll continue in that vane with the Theography. Fixing the church can wait while I strengthen my heart… Or maybe that’s a connecting event. 🙂
I love it when I discover a new great author and the biggest problem is deciding which book to read next. I also feel like I’ve found a new Brother because so much of what I’ve read puts words to the journey I’ve been on the last few years. Thanks for pouring out your heart in all your work Frank!
Thank you som much Frank for all your blogposts and your books! They are both thought provoking and encouraging. I just love your way of writing! Thank you for saving my (christian) life!! 😉 So much depth, honesty and a rich language that (at the same time) is easy enough for me to read, as English is not my mother tongue nor my second language. Your books have been such a help and blessing for me going through tough times, especially regarding church and my relationship to it. I’ve cried many tears. I’ve thought about writing to you many times but I have never taken the time because what I want to say would take at least 10 written pages.. haha. (I think you receive enough mail). It’s fascinating how your writings can relate so much to me – living in Scandinavia so far away from you… Especially reading Pagan Christianity? was an eye-opener to me! I was often smiling: “How come they do it the same way as in Finland!” (Or, actually, we do things the same way as in America. At least as I relate to the younger churches like the pentecostal denomination I have grown up within. Things ARE really imported… they have not just emerged here. Like I thought when I was an innocent child. 🙂 PLEASE, keep on writing and being honest! I think we are many that really need your writings! With love from a 30+ in Finland
A theme is emerging from much of what God has been teaching me for a few years in this regard. What I mean is that as God draws us towards humility and truth( HIM ) we see just how much we lack humility and truth( HIM ) and grow but while we are stuck in the delusion that we have it all figuered out and know better than others or that by many means can make others believe and act as we do, jealousy and violence increase but when we soberly see that we are one part of the 7 billion others here and all are equally necessary to each others well being these jealousys and violence’s fall off. Even in the natural world where these thoughts of equality are practiced health is greatly increased and violence is greatly diminished.
One of the biggest reasons I love to read your writings is that in all of it I see the centrality and supremacy of Christ and putting His desires and ways first. This enables us the ability to care for and be cared for by OneAnother equally as we ARE being cared for and caring for He Himself not just as a metaphor but in fact. I pray He helps us to not think of ourselves more highly than we ought and thank Him for doing that even as painful as it is at times.
PS:Thnx for your latest book I am sure it will help us to be a Bethany for OneAnother and Him! 🙂
Jesus lived an incredible life. The opposition and trickery of jealous men who lived to bring Him down was more than any one of us could bear. I wonder what kind of a mindset would actually think clever manipulation and dishonesty, used to destroy an individual, would ever be of God. Yet, He loved and prayed for even those who would kill Him. He was and is faithful and I am thankful.
I like this (quote)
“… They came out with all guns blazing, seeking to refute Him. First, their pushback was targeted at the content of His teaching. But after realizing that they couldn’t successfully discount what He said, they downshifted to an ad hominem assault.
“Personal attacks became their new weapon for dismissal: “He has no authority to say what He’s saying.” “He’s not seminary trained.” (He is not qualified ), “He has no ordination papers.” “He’s not a scholar.” Then it escalated: “He was born as the result of fornication.” “He’s a blasphemer.” “He’s deceptive.” “He’s a glutton and a drunkard.” “He’s a false prophet.” And the ultimate attack: “Satan is working through Him!” Strikingly, this same story has been played out on virtually every bloodstained page of church history. And unfortunately the destiny of many who have followed in Jesus’ steps has been the same as His: persecution, suffering, and even execution …”
It’s still happening today to many who speak the real truth as opposed to what people are eager to hear.
Amen Femi. Amen!!!
Great Post Frank. Thanks for sharing.
Very insightful and thought provoking post, Frank. May we all enter the unity through the cross and learn to truly love one another! Peace!