For post one of new series, let’s consider the danger of missing and rejecting Jesus as Messiah. On Palm Sunday, Jesus comes into Jerusalem and the people cheer Him with shouts of Hosanna. By Friday, they are shouting for Pilate to crucify Him. What changed?
Rejection of God’s Truth
Jesus fulfills prophecy in numerous ways! The Four Gospels explain this is truth in detail. Paul explains the Gospel in 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 Berean Standard Bible emphasis mine.
The Message of the Cross
18For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19For it is written:
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”
20Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know Him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.
22Jews demand signs and Greeks search for wisdom, 23but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
25For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.
Wisdom from God
26Brothers, consider the time of your calling: Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were powerful; not many were of noble birth. 27But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28He chose the lowly and despised things of the world, and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are, 29so that no one may boast in His presence.
30It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God: our righteousness, holiness, and redemption. 31Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”
The Gospel is Christ crucified! That is our righteousness, holiness, and redemption. Paul explains that the Jews wanted sign. The Gospel of John presents 7 signs and Jesus’ I Am statements. Matthew and Luke present Jesus’ heritage starting from Abraham and Adam to explain how God’s redemptive plans comes about through history.
Mathew’s genealogy: https://biblehub.com/bsb/matthew/1.htm
Luke’s https://biblehub.com/bsb/luke/3.htm
Do we accept God’s Truth(s) as revealed in His Word? Do we reject Holy Spirit’s conviction when He shines truth upon us? Many people reject God’s truth because it challenges them to a new understanding and dependence on Christ. God chooses the weak things to showcase His glory!
Where God and Holy Spirit are there is light and truth! Life, grace, and mercy that redeems our sins and transforms us into new creatures!
Stumbling Block and Foolishness
God sets up the Jewish tabernacle, Temple, and sacrificial system to make it possible for sinful humans to worship and fellowship with God. The author of Hebrews explains in Chapter 10:
Christ’s Perfect Sacrifice
(Psalm 40:1–17)
1For the law is only a shadow of the good things to come, not the realities themselves. It can never, by the same sacrifices offered year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. 2If it could, would not the offerings have ceased? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt the guilt of their sins.
3Instead, those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins, 4because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. 5Therefore, when Christ came into the world, He said:
“Sacrifice and offering You did not desire,
but a body You prepared for Me.
6In burnt offerings and sin offerings
7Then I said, ‘Here I am, it is written about Me in the scroll:
I have come to do Your will, O God.’ ”
8In the passage above He says, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings You did not desire, nor did You delight in them” (although they are offered according to the law). 9Then He adds, “Here I am, I have come to do Your will.” He takes away the first to establish the second. 10And by that will, we have been sanctified through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Hebrews Chapters 8-10 explains how Jesus brings about the New Covenant. Why did God’s people reject Jesus as Messiah in the first century? They wanted a political messiah–one who would defeat the Romans and re-establish the Davidic Kingdom.
In Paul’s day, the Jewish world was looking for a sign. Specifically, they wanted the sign of a miraculous Messianic deliverance.
They were not looking for the message of the cross. Their desire for deliverance was not bad, but their rejection of God’s way of deliverance was.
https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/1-corinthians-1/ accessed 3/26/24
Why did the Greeks consider the Gospel message to be foolish? They were enamored with earthly wisdom and philosophy. Enduring Word Commentary explains:
There is a constant tendency to think that the smartest and wisest humans will know the most about God.
But God cannot be found through human wisdom, but only through the message of the cross.
Ibid.
Why modern, contemporary people reject Christ: walking in darkness
The reason is uniquely inherent to the individual rejecting Christ. Some want a Messiah who will improve their life–make problems and difficulties go away. Others want a Messiah to enrich their finances and “bless abundantly” per the false gospel of prosperity. Some want a religion and system of belief that comforts them, but doesn’t challenge them to repentance and obedience to Christ. Some desire a place of influence to gain power and authority over others using religion as a means to control and manipulate others for selfish ambition and gain.
Others want a Jesus who will accept them as they are and allow them to continue living in a manner opposed to His call to holiness and righteousness. Consider that God transforms those He renews. No one encounters God in salvation/regeneration and remains in the “old” life of sin, disobedience, and love for earthly things. 1 John explains how believers walk in God’s Light: 1 John 1:5-10 BSB
Walking in the Light
(John 8:12–29)
5And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you: God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. 6If we say we have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.
8If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10If we say we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar, and His word is not in us.
Are we frequently and fervently praying for God’s Holy Spirit to revive and renew us? Asking and pleading with Him to show up in our community and do something that only He can do: draw our youth and lost neighbors to His grace?
Conclusion
The Jews regarded Christ crucified as a stumbling block; perhaps this is better understood as an offense or a scandal.
The Greeks regarded Christ crucified as foolishness. But God did not respond to the polling data.
He kept to His gospel, because for those who believed it (both Jews and Greeks), Christ crucified is the power of God and the wisdom of God.
Ibid.
Consider that Paul also rejected Christ until Christ comes to Him on the road to Damascus! Paul was greatly offended by the Gospel such that he felt as though persecuting Christ followers was pleasing to God. Yet, everything changes for Paul when Christ comes to Him!
Has Christ come to you through His Word and Holy Spirit? Do you consider the Gospel to be the power and grace of God or foolishness? How many people attend church weekly but have never encountered Christ or trusted in His grace? For some church is just a social activity and routine comfort instead of an encounter with a Holy, Living God.
Why do many drive past churches every Sunday on their way to the river or lake? Not against being at river or other place during weekend, but I fear for those who consistently neglect corporate worship and fellowship for recreation! I enjoy windsurfing and being outdoors, but church comes first on Sundays.
Perhaps it’s because they have never known Christ and have rejected Him. Join me in praying for God to move in the hearts of people that He will bring them to repentance and faith before they face God in final judgment.
Words of Grace & Hope 