Have you come yet to a place in your religious walk where you ask yourself, "What is the Truth?" Or, are you questioning those who claim to know the truth? Where do they get their information or how do they know for sure? Or do you really not care and are just doing your religion?
If I can indulge your mind for a few paragraphs, let me share with you what Jesus said to 72 people that He sent out on an incredible missions trip. Their journey was to go to various towns to prepare the way for Jesus to later visit. The 72 went preaching the good news that their Messiah had finally come. It was a powerful message of hope that was confirmed with signs that accompanied the message. They were able to cast out demons and do the miraculous. When they returned, they told Jesus with such great joy what had happened! His response was that too of joy! He looked up to Heaven and ''full of joy," said, "I praise you Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure."
Then he went on to say to the missionaries, "Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it."
And that is where I want to land. Jesus came as the promised Messiah. Many received him and He was filled with joy over that reality. But many did not have eyes to see or ears to hear the message. They doubted the messengers that were sent to the towns. And therefore, God hid these things from them because they thought they were wiser and more learned than the messengers. The Word still went forth...the Messiah still fulfilled prophecies....and the witnesses told about the time that the True King of Israel was amongst them. Many 'believing' kings and prophets had lived before the time of Jesus and were not able to actually see the appointed time of the Messiah's arrival. They had to take it on faith that he would come as promised. And Jesus' joyful response was that this appointed time in history had come and was being told not by the learned or wise, but by excited followers.
Today it is much the same. Many believe and go out and share with their friends and families what the living Jesus has done. But many more do not believe their message. Many believe that there was an appointed time in history that the man/God came to earth and will come again as promised. But, if I were to ask my devout religious friends they would admit they are not waiting for a Messiah. And my lukewarm religious friends would totally doubt He is coming again - they just think it is weird. What fascinates me is they remain devout to their religion, listening to men from a pulpit or bema seat. With eyes that see the process of faith, but do not see; and ears that hear the Word, but do not hear. There but for the grace of God went I for about 40 years!
So, I pray that hearts are stirred as the words of Rabbis or preachers or teachers are spoken. That we actually question and seek out if what we are hearing is the Truth. It starts that way...with a question to God. If you believe enough to ask the question, then He is faithful to answer the heart that truly seeks after Him. May He open the eyes of hearts to see Him!
"The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the LORD has made them both." Proverbs 20:12
References; Luke 10:1, 17, 21, 23-24
If I can indulge your mind for a few paragraphs, let me share with you what Jesus said to 72 people that He sent out on an incredible missions trip. Their journey was to go to various towns to prepare the way for Jesus to later visit. The 72 went preaching the good news that their Messiah had finally come. It was a powerful message of hope that was confirmed with signs that accompanied the message. They were able to cast out demons and do the miraculous. When they returned, they told Jesus with such great joy what had happened! His response was that too of joy! He looked up to Heaven and ''full of joy," said, "I praise you Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure."
Then he went on to say to the missionaries, "Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it."
And that is where I want to land. Jesus came as the promised Messiah. Many received him and He was filled with joy over that reality. But many did not have eyes to see or ears to hear the message. They doubted the messengers that were sent to the towns. And therefore, God hid these things from them because they thought they were wiser and more learned than the messengers. The Word still went forth...the Messiah still fulfilled prophecies....and the witnesses told about the time that the True King of Israel was amongst them. Many 'believing' kings and prophets had lived before the time of Jesus and were not able to actually see the appointed time of the Messiah's arrival. They had to take it on faith that he would come as promised. And Jesus' joyful response was that this appointed time in history had come and was being told not by the learned or wise, but by excited followers.
Today it is much the same. Many believe and go out and share with their friends and families what the living Jesus has done. But many more do not believe their message. Many believe that there was an appointed time in history that the man/God came to earth and will come again as promised. But, if I were to ask my devout religious friends they would admit they are not waiting for a Messiah. And my lukewarm religious friends would totally doubt He is coming again - they just think it is weird. What fascinates me is they remain devout to their religion, listening to men from a pulpit or bema seat. With eyes that see the process of faith, but do not see; and ears that hear the Word, but do not hear. There but for the grace of God went I for about 40 years!
So, I pray that hearts are stirred as the words of Rabbis or preachers or teachers are spoken. That we actually question and seek out if what we are hearing is the Truth. It starts that way...with a question to God. If you believe enough to ask the question, then He is faithful to answer the heart that truly seeks after Him. May He open the eyes of hearts to see Him!
"The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the LORD has made them both." Proverbs 20:12
References; Luke 10:1, 17, 21, 23-24
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