Disappointed in Jesus
Notes
Transcript
Claim - Jesus is not interested in the ‘way of the world’ but only in obediecen tto His Ftaher and His Word
Focus - We follow a Lord who is unlike any other - totally obedient to truth, His Father, the Word - What a relief!
Function - To give us great confidence that JEsus has everything sorted for us!
Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations 1881 That Boy in Organ Loft
When Robert Moffat, Scottish missionary to South Africa, came back to recruit helpers in his homeland, he was greeted by the fury of a cold British winter. Arriving at the church where he was to speak he noted that only a small group had braved the elements to hear his appeal. What disturbed him even more was that there were only ladies in attendance that night, for he had chosen as his text Proverbs 8:4, “Unto you, O men, I call.”
In his consternation he almost failed to notice one small boy in the loft who had come to work the bellows of the organ. Dr. Moffat felt hopeless as he gave the message, realizing that few women could be expected to undergo the rigorous experiences they would face in the undeveloped jungles of the continent where he labored.
But God works in mysterious ways to carry out His wise purposes. Although no one volunteered, the young fellow assisting the organist was thrilled by the challenge. Deciding that he would follow in the footsteps of this pioneer missionary, he went on to school, obtained a degree in medicine, and then spent the rest of his life ministering to the unreached tribes of Africa. His name: David Livingstone!
PRAY
It’s not just ordinary Christians who experinece dissappointment with Jesus.
Robert Moffat, A well known Scottish missionary to South Africa,
came back to recruit helpers around 1830.
He was greeted by the fury of a cold British winter.
Arriving at the church where he was to speak he noted that only a small group had braved the elements to hear his appeal.
What disturbed him even more was that there were only ladies in attendance that night,
for he had chosen as his text , “Unto you, O men, I call.”
It was back in the day when women weren’t sent out as missionaries to undergo the rigorous experiences they would face in the undeveloped jungles of Africa where he labored.
In his consternation he almost failed to notice one small boy in the loft who had come to work the bellows of the organ. Dr. Moffat felt hopeless as he gave the message, realizing that few women could be expected to undergo the rigorous experiences they would face in the undeveloped jungles of the continent where he labored.
No one volunteered!
What a dissapointment,
I’m sure even he, a faithful missionary,
found himself dissapointed in the way Jesus had been at work that day.
His efforts - of good intentions - wasted.
I’m sure you know the feeling,
v1 - Exaplin difference between Galiee and Judea
When you’re convinced of the best way to acheive somthing,
yet the key person in the decision just doesn’t seem to either get it, or is nervous to do the best thing!
It can be very frustrating.
Or your spouce, or parents, wont do the thing that would make a situation so much better.
Jesus’ brothers and disciples are facing that same issue with Jesus himself in our passage today.
You wouldn’t expect Jesus to shy away from doing the best thing to further his mission on earth,
but that’s exactly what seems to be happening here.
john 7 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. But when the Jewish Festival of Tabernacles was near, Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do. No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” For even his own brothers did not believe in him.
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. But when the Jewish Festival of Tabernacles was near,
It’s got to be a bit embarrasing for this team of men.
Not even their leaders brothers believe what he’s saying.
And Jesus, the leader, doesn’t seem to want to put the record straight.
He wont put himself forward publically,
move in the right circles,
go to the right places.
He’s seemingly afraid of the opposition and skulking about in a quiet part of the country.
SLIDE - Map
Jesus is in the northern area of Israel, at the time known as Galiee. (red on the map)
A fair amount of his time has been spent here,
but it’s the sleepy part of the Jewsih nation.
Jerusalmn, the captial, where the temple and the real action is,
is all in Judea, the south. (Teal on the map)
It’s a long way to Judea, about 70miles as the crow flies, and a lot further as the donkey flies.
It’s sveral days walk, and no-one launches a publicity campaign in Galliee!
They even had a quip ‘ can anything good come out of Galliee’.
A bt like we might make jokes about Milton Keynes, or the SA might about PE!
It would be a bit like a politician trying to work his or her way up to being PM, but not spending anytime in London.
Just hanging out somewhere quiet, like Lincolnshire.
But Jesus, we’re told in v1, didn’t want to head to the big smoke of Jerusalmn,
becasue, theJewsih leaders there wanted to kill him.
Sounds as if Jesus is a little scared of them.
BUt now,
one of the 3 big annual festivals are about to take place - the festival of the tabernacles.
It’s a celebration of the completed havest -
and also a time where they erect thousands of temprary shelters, or tents,
in memory of the years they spent in the wolderness after the Lord God rescued them from slavery in Eygpt.
It was the glastonbury of the day, only without the mud,
and with a respectable reason for celbertaing together.
Tim I believe will talk about it more next week in the second half of chapter 2.
This is the time to shine.
Show everyone your miracles Jesus, amaze the crowds.
Convince them of who you are.
Even Jesus’ brothers it seems don’t believe he is from God, the son of God.
the one who can forgive sins and put us in a good relationship with god the Father
for eternity.
They are follwoing him round,
They have seen his miracles - and to some extent they must be convinced,
But why isn’t he taking the big stage.
revealing himself to the masses.
It doesn’t make sense:
Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do. No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.”
You will look for me, but you will not find me; and where I am, you cannot come.”
john 7 3
But Jesus isn’t playing ball.
Is Jesus afraid?
What’s his hesitation?
Therefore Jesus told them, “My time is not yet here; for you any time will do. The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that its works are evil. You go to the festival. I am not going up to this festival, because my time has not yet fully come.”
john 7 6-
I wonder what they thought Jesus ment?
It sounds like he is nervous of what will happen.
You go, he says - you’ll be ok.
They wont hate you because you don’t come with the same message as me,
And even if you do, you don’t have the miraculous authority that I do.
Anytime will suit you,
You can go,
But not me,
it’s not the right time.
With the launch of the celebration festival - the disciples wanted Jesus to hit the big time.
Make his mark for all to see!
And it would have probably worked,
People expected to see this ‘new kid on the block’ show himself big at the festival.
Now at the festival the Jewish leaders were watching for Jesus and asking, “Where is he?”
Among the crowds there was widespread whispering about him. Some said, “He is a good man.”
Others replied, “No, he deceives the people.”
john 7 11-12
Now at the festival the Jewish leaders were watching for Jesus and asking, “Where is he?”
9-
Widespread discussion - he’s the talk of the moment.
Why isn’t he showing himself.
He is there as we learn in v10, - but quietly, secretly, moving about and observing,
but not revealing himself at all.
What a disappointment to the watching world.
It would be like the main act not turning up to glastonbury,
The Queen not turning up to a royal wedding,
Rumours start,
debate rages
He’s a good man,
no he’s a liar,
a prophet,
a fraud.
His brothers would have kept their heads down,
embarrassed perhaps by their teacher, brother and Lord.
Pause
I suspect each of us here have had times, many times,
when we’ve been embarrassed by our Lord.
We dont like to admit it, but I’m sure it’s been true for us all at some point.
When we wished he’d followed our advise and answered our prayers,
or simply just seen our thought processes to be best,
so it all worked out as we thought.
A frieed who dosesn’t recover from illness, despite our prayer,
a collegue who is offended by the idea of hell.
A spouce who doesn’t think you should tell them they need saving from sin and judgement.
A family member who doesn’t see why God would deny their desire to be in a homesexual relationship.
A relative who doesn’t undrstand why divorce isn’t an option as Christians.
A child who thinks the bible is old fashioned nonescense.
A neighbour who is offened when he hears that God sees all our actions, v7, as evil.
In need of judgement.
Embarrassment,
dissapointed in the bibles views
Let down by our prayers.
What is Jesus doing.
Where is his big reveal.
Why doesn’t he return.
Why can’t he do what we think would work best.
What’s with the mystery, the secrecy,
The delay.
To the point where we avoid embarrassment about our faith in Jesus,
by keeping our faith quiet.
We, like the brothers and followers of Jesus at the feast of the tabernacles,
Keeping out heads low,
eyes down,
blend in,
mumbling - if only Jesus would come back and show me to be right -
f
proove to the world he’s real,
Perhaps for now we should avoid the difficult teachings,
the gospel itself -
so Jesus can say to us as well
The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that its works are evil.
HOw relevant v12 still is today
Among the crowds there was widespread whispering about him. Some said, “He is a good man.”
Others replied, “No, he deceives the people.”
Some said, “He is a good man.”
Others replied, “No, he deceives the people.”
Confusion about Jesus,
I wonder whether we stay quiet when we hear of this type of talk,
or perhaps we do step in -
but anxiously of whether Jesus will show himself to them.
But if we have something to learn from this passage about ourselves,
The disciples and brothers of Jesus certyainly did.
then it’s to see
how small minded we are,
and how poorly we judge Jesus’ work in this world.
trumped up people we are.
To think we know better that the Lord, Jesus, creator of all.
How nieve,
and blind we so often are.
or have the best ideas, or the right ways:
For, he
did and does, nothing by himself.
For Jesus’ timings and plans are perfect and good,
but made every decision according to His Father in heaven’s will.
and he’s about to explain why.
And how preciese and careful he was to follow every step of his life according the His Father’s plans.
for it was just 3 or 4 days later,
that Jesus did reveal himself at the festival.
Not until halfway through the festival did Jesus go up to the temple courts and begin to teach.
And teach and amaze he did!
The Jews there were amazed and asked, “How did this man get such learning without having been taught?”
It’s a good question, with an obvious answer if we’re preaped to believe in who he says he is,
Jesus answered, “My teaching is not my own. It comes from the one who sent me. Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. Whoever speaks on their own does so to gain personal glory, but he who seeks the glory of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him.
6
JEsus, the son of God,
The messiah, the Lord,
did and said nothing that was not in the perfect timing and will of God the Father.
or have the best ideas, or the right ways:
For, he
did and does, nothing by himself.
but made every decision according to His Father’s will.
How preciese and careful he was to live every step of his life according the His Father’s plans.
Almost to proove his point he refuses to reveal himself at the feast of taberbnacels by just a few days,
becasue he will not even slightly adjust the will of his Father.
He wasn’t afraid of the Jewish leaders who wanted to kill him,
It simply wasn’t the exact timing as His Father willed.
They are ready to plot my murder,
but if i go even a day earlier than planned by my father,
the slow but sure walk to death on the corss would begin out of kilter,
with God’s will and plan.
What an extraordinary leader and Lord we follow if we do indeed follow him today.
Cast off your preconceptions,
your own plans for Jesus and your faith,
Forget any embarrassment or shame you perceive at procliming Jesus amoung your frineds.
Do not fear praying incase it doesn’t get answered according to your will.
Do not think that praying is ineffective,
Do not find frustration that Jesus hasn’t returned when it would seemingly solve so much,
For Jesus is Perfectly obedient to his Father -
and every detail and plan for his return will come at exactly the right time,
every prayer has a wonderful and full answer according to His will,
every converstaion with a non-believer,
every time you fear being let donw by Jesus,
You can know he has everything in his perfect control.
Trust Him,
worship Him,
honour him with every breath you have.
Turn to him,
Believe in Him,
rest your weary lives and desperation upon him in confidence,
For he will not, has not, cannot,
put a single foot wrong for the glory of God,
he does not loose a single soul whom the father has given him,
and he does work for the good of all who love him.
Even when we don’t see it!
He makes the same point to the Jews by challenging them in their preconceived ideas about Him.
He points out that they have got even their understanding of the bible wrong!
Has not Moses given you the law? Yet not one of you keeps the law. Why are you trying to kill me?”
9
You’ve misunderstood your hero Moses he says!
You think I’m breaking God’s laws -
how wrong you are!
I can’t even attend a festival a day earlier than God commands!
Let alone bend his words in the bible!
He reminds them of the time he healed the paralyzed man on the Sabbath
- they were furious he did some ‘work’ on the sabbath,
but Jesus compares it to the fact that they perform circumsisions on the Sabbath!
You can’t have it both ways:
Jesus said to them, “I did one miracle, and you are all amazed. Yet, because Moses gave you circumcision (though actually it did not come from Moses, but from the patriarchs), you circumcise a boy on the Sabbath. Now if a boy can be circumcised on the Sabbath so that the law of Moses may not be broken, why are you angry with me for healing a man’s whole body on the Sabbath?
21-
YOu have the circumsicion bit right he says!
The great sign given to show people that they belong to God in the OT.
How then can it possibly be wrong to heal an entire mans body on the sabbath!
You’re dissappointed in me, says Jesus,
I’m dissapointed in you when you misjudge God’s word!
I didn’t do what you expected,
But stop for a second and realise I have not put a step worng!
I am perfect,
perfectly obedient to God and His word.
What a relief this ought o be to us all here today.
We may be facing very dark times,
but Jesus has everything in hand.
here
The final verse makes the same point.
And lets apply it to ourselves as well.
Whenever we’re tempted to be embarrassed about Jesus,
dissapointed he’s not done what we thought was best or right,
Not returned to releave all pain and suffering yet,
Or perhaps you simply don’t even believe in him becasue
he doesn’t do what you think he should do!
Well says Jesus to all those things and more
Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.”
And the simple way to judge Jesus correctly is this.
He is wonderful,
perfect in everyway,
the giver of his own life in love, so that we might find forgiveness in him,
so that despite ourselves - we too can have a glorious relationship with God the Father,
as his chidlren.
Never fear or worry he’s forgooten you,
Never doubt his plans or purposes or ways,
For he may not arrive just when you think he should,
But he’s secretly already at the festival of your life,
and before the world around you ends -
he will step forward and amaze every person in history.
Dr Moffat may have been dissapointed with the turn out at that church in 1830,
But In his frsutration as he preached to that little group of women,
he had failed to notice one small boy in the loft who had come to work the bellows of the organ.
Although no one volunteered, the boy assisting the organist was thrilled by the challenge.
But God works in mysterious ways to carry out His wise purposes. Although no one volunteered, the young fellow assisting the organist was thrilled by the challenge. Deciding that he would follow in the footsteps of this pioneer missionary, he went on to school, obtained a degree in medicine, and then spent the rest of his life ministering to the unreached tribes of Africa. His name: David Livingstone!
Deciding that he would follow in the footsteps of this pioneer missionary,
he went on to school,
obtained a degree in medicine,
and then spent the rest of his life ministering to the unreached tribes of Africa.
His name: David Livingstone!
Never doubt the Lords ways and plans,
For he is perfectly in line with the glourious plans and will of God.
What Lord we have.
So
v1 - Exaplin difference between Galiee and Judea
v2-5 - Disciples want Jesus to demonstrtae who he is in Judea, not just Galliee.
v6-9 - Jesus wants to be obedient to his Father - not the world - or even his firends - and knows his revelation will lead to hatred and death - for he will tell them they are evil!
PRAY
v10-13 - Discussion and intrest in Jesus increases by reputation
v14-15 - Jesus amazes people with his knowldge and teaching of the OT
v16-18 - Jesus credits his teaching and his truth (same thing?) to His Father
v19 - Jesus points out the irony that he is truth and yet they desire to kill him.
v20-24 - Jesus explains how his healing of the paralyzed man is acceptabel according to the law - as circumcision is allowed on a Sabbath. Don’t judge by what you initially see, but by by truth (correctly)
Disciples want Jesus to reveal himself to all - to be famous - it’s the best way (judging the situation by appearances)
Jews are judging Jesus actions by appearances - seems clear he’s doing something wrong on the sabath, but haven’t actually thought about it!
We are to discern the truth in all matters according to Jesus - not jump to conclusions or assumptions about him or his plans.