Jesus Revealed Pt. 7 - The UnexpectedSample

People Struggle With Who Jesus Is  

Thoughts on the Passage

There is a lot of confusion here.

People are confused because Jesus is speaking openly – and no one is trying to stop Him, even though they threatened to arrest Him on sight.

People are confused because they hear Jesus say that He is from the Father – but it makes no sense to them. They know Jesus is from Nazareth, but they really do not know how the Messiah is going to show up. In fact they think He will just “show up” somehow.

People are confused as well because the rulers send people to take Jesus into custody – but they do not do it. John writes that this happens because Jesus’ time to be taken by the rulers is not here yet. So they cannot do it. The people cannot figure that out.

There is also confusion about the message of Jesus. This time it is an unwillingness to accept what they know is true. The confusion is an excuse to not accept what they see as true. If they took time to think through what they saw and heard from Jesus … and analyze these things carefully – then they will know Jesus is from God, just as He says.

And some believe it.

Application

Is there any confusion in your life about Jesus or God’s will for you? Take time today and put your thoughts in order. Look at what Jesus says, look at what He did for you, look at what He does for others and listen carefully to what God says about Jesus. God is not the author of confusion. He will help you see things clearly.

When people are confused, walk through these things with them as well. Be prepared to take time. Be prepared to have them use confusion as an excuse for inaction.

Time to Pray

Father, Jesus had such clarity in His mission, His calling and His message.  The confusion is always in us. We have expectations that are not right. We do not think You as God should do certain things – and then You do it, and we are confused. Sometimes, we just need to sit down and walk through Your message carefully – and it becomes clear. Today, if there is any confusion in my life, help me to take time in Your presence to listen, to have You clarify Your truth and to expose my misconceptions. Then give me a boldness to walk in that truth – even if others say they are still confused. In Jesus’ name, Amen.