A Journey with Jesus: Understand

04/03/22

Dominant Thought: A clear picture of Jesus helps you understand who He is.

Objectives:

I want my listeners to find comfort that many people find it difficult to understand Jesus.

I want my listeners to realize that Jesus himself is the key to understanding Him.

I want my listeners to choose one way they will seek to know Jesus better this week.

It’s difficult to understand the words of Jesus. In fact, this Bible at times is quite difficult to understand. That may be why some of you are here today. You realize that the Bible is challenging to understand and you have come to find some help in understanding the ways of Jesus.

Philip Yancey shares the following in his book, The Bible Jesus Read (p. 30):

Soren Kierkegaard offers two suggestions for the reader who tackles difficult portions of the Bible. First, read it like a love letter, he says. As you struggle with language and culture, and other barriers, look on them as the necessary work to get to the main crucial message from someone who loves you. Second, act on what you understand. Kierkegaard dismisses the objection “There are so many obscure passages in the Holy Scriptures, whole books which are almost riddles” with the reply that he would only consider the objection from someone who had fully complied with all the passages that are easy to understand!

It’s difficult to understand Jesus. He says somethings that are quite difficult to understand. In our time today, I want bring together three stories that describe the struggles of understanding Jesus. The first story from Luke 2 records and interaction with Jesus and his parents. The final two stories, Luke 18 and Luke 24, describe Jesus and His disciples.

First, Luke tells us Jesus’ parent didn’t understand Him (Luke 2.41-52). Jesus was not even a teenager. At age 12, Jesus and family go up to Jerusalem to celebrate the Festival of the Passover. God’s people celebrate their rescue from Egyptian slavery, their independence. After the festival concludes, the family caravan begins the journey home. The boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. It took a day for Joseph and Mary to realize he’s not with one of the other family members. After three days, they return to Jerusalem to find Jesus listening to the teachers and asking them questions. Mary questions Jesus, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you” (Luke 2.48). Jesus replies, “Why were you searching for me? Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2.49). Then, Luke gives us this reaction of Joseph and Mary, “But they did not understand what He was saying to them” (Luke 2.50). My friends, if the earthly parents of Jesus didn’t understand Him at times, then I think we are in good company if we have trouble understanding Jesus, too.

The story continues with Jesus returning with his parents to Nazareth and was obedient or submissive to them. Notice what else Luke tells us about his mother. In Luke 2.50, she and Joseph didn’t understand Jesus. Now, in Luke 2.51, we read, “But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.” Twelve years earlier after a group of shepherds visit Mary and her baby, Luke records, “Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart” (Luke 2.19). Can you picture Mary holding her newborn baby and wanting to soak up this moment? And now this baby is about to become a teenager and a young man. Now this son, talks about an allegiance higher than his earthly father. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”

In your search for understanding the ways of Jesus, maybe we need a mother’s heart of reflection to treasure these confusing moments as opportunities for growth and wisdom. It could be Luke’s way to invite the reader to keep reading the story of Jesus.

Another time, it is not the parents of Jesus, but His disciples who have difficulty understanding Him (Luke 18.31-34). Jesus has talked with His disciples what’s going to happen when they finally arrive in Jerusalem. In Luke 18.31-34, Jesus tells for the third time what awaits in Jerusalem (previous predictions in Luke are found in Luke 9.21-27; 9.44-45). This time, Jesus takes the Twelve disciples aside for a more personal and intimate conversation. He tells them that they are going up to Jerusalem. Then, He tells them that “everything written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled” (Luke 18.31).

What things were written? Here’s an example from the prophet Isaiah.

Isaiah 50:6–7 NIV

I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting. Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame.

Sounds like those words from the prophet in 700 B.C. would soon be fulfilled in the life of Jesus, the suffering servant. Much like the mission of Jesus to set His face resolutely to Jerusalem, the servant in Isaiah set his face like a flint.

In fact, Jesus lived out what He taught from Luke 6.29.

Luke 6:29 NIV

If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them.

In Luke 18.32, Jesus lists seven things that will happen in Jerusalem: 1) He will be handed over to the nations/Gentiles. 2) They will mock Him. 3) They will insult Him. 4) They will spit on Him. 5) After they have flogged Him. 6) They will kill Him. 7) On the third day He will stand up/rise again. Notice the list of seven. It seems to me by just reading the list, that the disciples could feel the nail driven deeper into their hearts: betray, mock, insult, spit, flog, kill.

Luke tells us the disciples response to this prediction in Luke 18.34 which sounds similar to the second time Jesus told them what would happen in Luke 9.45.

Luke 18:34 NIV

The disciples did not understand any of this. Its meaning was hidden from them, and they did not know what he was talking about.

Luke describes the disciples’ response to the impending suffering of Jesus in three ways: 1) They did not understand. 2) Its meaning was hidden. 3) They did not know what He was talking about. It is similar to their response to an earlier prediction of Christ’s suffering from Luke 9.44-45. After Jesus shared, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men,” the disciples’ response is recorded in three similar ways: 1) They did not understand. (The word is different than in 18.34. In this text, the word is where we get the English word, “agnostic” unknown/unknowable. 2) It was hidden from them, so that they did not grasp it. 3) They were afraid to ask him about it. In both instances, Luke describes the disciples’ inability to understand the plans of God and the complete mission of Jesus. In both Luke 9 and 8, the phrase, “its meaning was hidden from them” seems to suggest that a spiritual force is at work in the hearts of the disciples. Maybe God is keeping the shades pulled down on his plan. It seems to have a similar feel to when Pharaoh’s heart was hardened (Exodus 7.13-14). Maybe the evil one is at work here. We don’t know. In Luke 9, the disciples are afraid to ask questions.

I want to encourage you to keep asking your questions. Some questions we will never have answered on this of the new heaven and new earth. The key questions to have answered are: Who is Jesus, and did He raise from the dead? Both are addressed in Luke 18.

A couple of weeks ago, our family traveled through Little Rock, Arkansas. Grace suggested we visit the National Historic Site of Central High School in Little Rock. In 1957, the Little Rock 9 captured the nation’s attention as schools wrestled with integration. In 1957, nine African American students sought the opportunity to attend the largest high school in the country, Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. Prompted by mob violence, President Eisenhower sent federal troops to ensure these nine students had the opportunity to attend Central High School.

One of the exhibits at the site, highlighted one of the ways peaceful demonstrations challenged racial injustice. The display showed pictures of what was called “Sit Ins.” African American students and later white students would sit at lunch counters of luncheonettes who denied service because of race. After service was denied, they refused to leave. I saw one picture of people pouring ketchup, other condiments on those who are were seated. What captured my attention was the expectations of those who participated in the sit ins.

One of the early organizers was James Lawson, a theology student from Vanderbilt who came up with the following rules: “Do show yourself friendly on the counter at all times. Do sit straight and always face the counter. Do not strike back or curse if attacked. Do not laugh out. Do not hold conversations. Do not block entrances.” (“Sit in Movement,” www.african-american-civil-rights.org)

It seems that the disciples cannot picture their leader, God’s chosen one to redeem Israel would endure such suffering. Maybe the didn’t understand the prediction of Jesus because those sufferings didn’t suit the conquering Savior. Maybe the words of Jesus didn’t fit the image of Jesus they had created.

Could the same be true of us? Could the words of Jesus conflict with the image of Jesus we have created? We want to use Jesus as a “Get out of Jail” Free card or as a nice perk on our resume, but this idea of following Jesus through insults, betrayal, and death is not in our plan.

Jesus states clearly that the values of God’s Kingdom conflict with the kingdoms of this age. His life flows from generosity, truth, kindness, and simplicity. His kingdom leads to a cross and an empty tomb. It is on this side of Easter where we find one more opportunity for the disciples to understand the mission and message of Jesus.

Good news, the third day arrived and Jesus stood up out of the grave. In Luke 24.36, Jesus appears to the disciples. He startles them. They think He is a ghost. He asks them why they are troubled? Why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and feet. Touch me and see that I am not a ghost. They still had trouble believing Jesus even though He was right there in front of them. He asked for some fish and ate it in front of them.

Then, Jesus resumes His role as teacher.

Luke 24:44–45 NIV

He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.

Jesus offered four proofs to help them understand what was happening. He offered the Law of Moses, the Prophets, the Psalms, and don’t forget, He offered Himself as proof.

Example from the Law of Moses: Deuteronomy 18.18.

Example from the Prophets: See Isaiah 53.12 (quoted in Luke 22.37)

Example from the Psalms: See Psalm 2.1-6.

However, even more than select passages from the Hebrew Bible, Jesus wants His followers to realize that the Hebrew Bible or the Old Testament points to Him and finds is fulfillment in the story of Jesus Christ.

Example of Jesus Himself: In a recent episode of the Bible Project, “Is the Bible Trustworthy Question & Response 2), they describe finding the Bible trustworthy because Jesus is compelling. “9 out of 10 the Bible is put in front of somebody because of a community or a friendship who are modeling or displaying before them a portrait or story of Jesus that is compelling to them.” Luke shared with us from the beginning of his gospel that He wanted people to have a clear picture of who Jesus is. A clear picture of Jesus helps you understand who He is.

The word for understand means “to bring together.” A couple of years ago when we spent time at home, we worked on puzzles. We put together a 2,000-piece puzzle of the Disney Pixar movies. When we put a puzzle together, we start with the edge pieces. We look for the four corners and the pieces with the flat or straight sides. Then, we work the border together. It is still difficult to see the full picture because all the pieces are not brought together. My friends, we all are at different stages in our journey with Jesus. Some of us have the edges put together and we are starting to see Jesus come into focus. Others have matured to understanding the key stories and how Christ fulfills the mission of God to save the world. The journey with Jesus walks us through our questions. Some questions we may never find answers, but I invite you to anchor in what you do understand and let that guide you into a deeper walk with King Jesus.

A clear picture of Jesus brings together His suffering as Savior and His raising to life as King. You cannot have an Easter Sunday without a Good Friday. You cannot have the crown without carrying the cross.