Rejecting Jesus in spite of the Evidence

Open: Haley’s Comet comes by every 75 years. It was here in 1986 and will return in 2061-62. Imagine you are a space nut, and you were only 3 years old in 1986. The year is now 2061, you have been anxiously awaiting for a long 72 years for the comet’s next appearance. The month before it arrives, you decide it’s not really Haley’s comet and you refuse to even look outside at night!

Transition: Tragic to miss out on one’s only opportunity to see a famous comet. It is life altering tragic to miss out on Jesus!

The preparations for the Messiah were properly made (), but He was not accepted

Explanation: Jesus is the Eternal One, the 2nd person of the Trinity who has always existed (). When He did enter the world, His birth was in accordance with Prophecy (; )

When He began His public ministry, Jesus began it in accordance with Prophecy (, ; )

Argument: Consider the irony involved in this situation. The very One who created everything (), the source of Life itself, he is not accepted by the ones who had been waiting on Him for millennia!

Illustration: Haley’s Comet comes by every 75 years. It was here in 1986 and will return in 2061-62. Imagine you are a space nut, and you were only 3 years old in 1986. The year is now 2061, you have been anxiously awaiting for a long 72 years for the comet’s next appearance. The month before it arrives, you decide it’s not really Haley’s comet and you refuse to even look outside at night!

Argument: Consider the irony involved in this situation. The very One who created everything (), the source of Life itself, he is not accepted by the ones who had been waiting on Him for millennia!

Application: Not being Jewish, and living on this side of the First Advent, we aren’t placed in the same situation. But we have even less of an excuse to reject Him because we have the completed canon of Scripture

Jesus fulfilled the Messianic Prophecies (), but was rejected by the people

Explanation: In this passage, Jesus is shown to be in his hometown and teaching in the synagogue. He reads from the scroll of Isaiah, at a place that dealt with the future ministry of the Messiah (). This passage described how the Messiah would proclaim the Good News, and grant spiritual liberty took those held in the bondage of sin.

Argument: The setting of this scene was Nazareth, the hometown of Jesus. The listeners had watched Jesus grow up and they counted him as nothing special, let alone the long-awaited Messiah. Not only did they not accept His teaching, they attempted to kill him ()

Application: There is an old maxim, “Familiarity breeds contempt.” The locals had this attitude towards Jesus and they rejected Him.

In the same way, this is the Easter season, and in churches all across the land the message is the same (at least in conservative, Bible-believing churches) . The message is centered on the life of Jesus, His sacrificial death, and His glorious Resurrection. Don’t allow yourself to become jaded to this incredible story. Regardless of how often you hear it, rejoice because it it True!

Jesus offered the people the gift of Eternal Life (), but the leaders rejected His claims ()

Explanation: This is just one of many scenes where the spiritual leaders rejected Jesus. The setting was the Feast of Tabernacles during the harvest time. Jesus has been teaching in the Temple, and on the final day of the Feast He offers rivers of living water to those who believe in Him. The leaders send officers to arrest him, and when that fails, they flat out state that they (as leaders) will not accept Jesus.

Argument: generally, when something is offered and it seems too good to be true, the reason is because that it is! With Jesus, however, the offer is real, and what’s more, it is a valid offer. Jesus really does provide what He says He does.

Argument: generally, when something is offered and it seems too good to be true, the reason is because that it is! With Jesus, however, the offer is real, and what’s more, it is a valid offer. Jesus really does provide what He says He does.

Application: Do not be confused or suspicious of what Jesus offers. The gift of salvation is exactly that - a gift. We don’t work for it or merit it. When we are convicted of our sin debt and we realize we need a Savior, Jesus will save us and indwell us through the Holy Spirit.

Jesus was innocent, but the people still cried out for his death ()

Explanation: During Jesus’ trial with Pilate as the judge, Pilate realizes that Jesus is being railroaded by the Jews. When Pilate reaches this conclusion, he attempts to set Jesus free, but the mob will have none of that! The mob, which is composed of Jews, the Chosen People, are actually so incited as to call for the death of their Messiah. They even accept his blood on their hands and so on through the generations.

Argument: what a sad commentary. Not only do they reject His claims as their rightful king, they reject His love. ()

Application: It would be nice to throw the blame for the Crucifixion on the Romans and the Jews, but the reality is that we are just as guilty. Jesus died for the sins of the world, and that included yours and mine.

Let us not be guilty of rejecting His sacrifice as well

Close: Palm Sunday is of course a reference to the Triumphal Entry. On the day Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey, the people lined the streets, through down their palm leaves and their garments, and shouted in joy at the coming of Jesus.

That particular celebration did not last long. Just a few days later, those same people are calling out for his death.

O let it not be so among us. For those who name the Name, let us be found faithful to our Lord and King