Responding to Jesus: The Urgent Question of Faith

 

Summary

In today's reflection, we delve into the profound question of our response to Jesus Christ, as presented in the Gospels. This question is not merely academic or theoretical; it is the most urgent and significant question we can consider, especially in the uncertain times we live in. The world may be on the brink of chaos, but the eternal question remains: What is our relationship with Jesus Christ? This question is more pressing than any geopolitical or existential threat because it concerns our eternal destiny.

There are only two possible responses to Jesus: either we are drawn to Him, like the leper or the paralytic who sought His healing, or we are like the Pharisees and scribes who rejected Him. The Pharisees, despite being religious leaders and teachers, failed to recognize Jesus as the Savior. Their tragedy was rooted in their detachment, prejudice, and failure to face the evidence of His divinity. They were interested in Jesus as a subject of study but never allowed themselves to be moved by His presence or teachings.

The Pharisees' detachment was a deliberate choice to remain onlookers, never engaging with the transformative power of Jesus. Their prejudice blinded them to the truth, as they were more concerned with maintaining their own positions and traditions than seeking the truth. They failed to see the evidence of Jesus' miracles and teachings, which were clear signs of His divine authority.

The challenge for us today is to avoid the same pitfalls. We must not let our preconceived notions or intellectual pride prevent us from recognizing the truth of Jesus Christ. Instead, we should approach Him with humility, like a child, willing to learn and be transformed by His love and grace. The Pharisees' failure to submit to Jesus led to their ultimate tragedy, and we are urged to learn from their mistakes and embrace the salvation He offers.

Key Takeaways:

- Our response to Jesus Christ is the most urgent question we face, surpassing any worldly concerns. It determines our eternal destiny and requires us to examine our relationship with Him deeply. [12:15]

- The Pharisees' tragedy was their detachment and refusal to engage with Jesus personally. They remained onlookers, never allowing themselves to be transformed by His presence. [18:35]

- Prejudice blinded the Pharisees to the truth of Jesus' divinity. Their rigid adherence to tradition and position prevented them from seeing the evidence of His miracles and teachings. [26:49]

- The Pharisees failed to face the evidence of Jesus' authority and power. Despite witnessing His miracles, they remained critical and dismissive, missing the opportunity for salvation. [36:20]

- We are called to approach Jesus with humility, setting aside our intellectual pride and preconceived notions. By submitting to Him, we open ourselves to His transformative power and the truth of His salvation. [48:04]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [09:57] - The Urgent Question
- [10:31] - Two Possible Responses
- [11:33] - The State of the World
- [12:15] - Eternal Destiny
- [13:35] - The Tragedy of Rejection
- [16:38] - The Pharisees' Detachment
- [18:35] - The Onlookers' Attitude
- [20:10] - Interest Without Engagement
- [23:18] - Prejudice and Tradition
- [26:49] - Prejudice in Spirit and Practice
- [32:32] - Missing the Big Picture
- [36:20] - Failing to Face the Evidence
- [41:11] - The Fact of Christ
- [48:04] - Humility and Submission
- [50:24] - Learning from the Pharisees

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Luke 5:12-26 - The healing of the leper and the paralytic.
2. Matthew 23:1-36 - Jesus' woes to the Pharisees.
3. Mark 10:13-16 - Jesus and the little children.

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Observation Questions:

1. In Luke 5:12-26, how did the leper and the paralytic demonstrate their response to Jesus? What actions did they take to approach Him?
2. According to the sermon, what were the Pharisees' main attitudes towards Jesus, and how did these attitudes manifest in their actions? [16:54]
3. What specific behaviors or attitudes of the Pharisees does Jesus criticize in Matthew 23:1-36, and how do these relate to the sermon’s discussion on prejudice and detachment? [26:49]
4. How does Jesus' interaction with the children in Mark 10:13-16 illustrate the kind of humility and openness the sermon encourages us to have towards Him? [48:04]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. Why does the sermon suggest that our response to Jesus is more urgent than any worldly concern, such as geopolitical threats or existential crises? [12:15]
2. How does the sermon describe the consequences of the Pharisees' detachment and prejudice towards Jesus? What does this imply about the importance of engaging with Jesus personally? [18:35]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that intellectual pride and preconceived notions can prevent us from recognizing the truth of Jesus Christ? How does this relate to the Pharisees' failure to see the evidence of Jesus' authority? [36:20]
4. How does the sermon use the example of the leper and the paralytic to illustrate the proper attitude towards Jesus? What does this teach us about humility and submission? [48:04]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current relationship with Jesus. Are there any areas where you feel detached or merely an onlooker? What steps can you take to engage more personally with Him? [18:35]
2. Consider any preconceived notions or intellectual pride that might be hindering your spiritual growth. How can you approach Jesus with the humility of a child, as encouraged in the sermon? [48:04]
3. The Pharisees were blinded by their prejudice and adherence to tradition. Are there any traditions or biases in your life that might be preventing you from fully embracing Jesus' teachings? [26:49]
4. The sermon emphasizes the importance of facing the evidence of Jesus' authority and power. What evidence of Jesus' work in your life or the world around you have you witnessed recently? How can this strengthen your faith? [36:20]
5. How can you cultivate a sense of urgency in your spiritual life, recognizing the eternal significance of your relationship with Jesus? What practical steps can you take this week to prioritize this relationship? [12:15]
6. Reflect on a time when you felt resistant to Jesus' teachings or presence. What was the root cause of this resistance, and how can you overcome it to embrace the salvation He offers? [50:24]
7. Identify one specific way you can submit to Jesus' transformative power in your life this week. What action will you take to demonstrate this submission and openness to His guidance? [48:04]

Devotional

Day 1: The Urgency of Our Response to Jesus
Our response to Jesus Christ is the most urgent question we face, surpassing any worldly concerns. It determines our eternal destiny and requires us to examine our relationship with Him deeply. In a world filled with uncertainty and chaos, the question of our relationship with Jesus is more pressing than any geopolitical or existential threat. This is because it concerns our eternal destiny, which is of utmost importance. The Gospels present us with a choice: to be drawn to Jesus, like those who sought His healing, or to reject Him, like the Pharisees who failed to recognize His divinity. Our response to Jesus is not just a matter of intellectual assent but a deep, personal engagement that shapes our lives and our eternity. [12:15]

Hebrews 2:1-3 (ESV): "Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?"

Reflection: What steps can you take today to deepen your relationship with Jesus and ensure that your response to Him is one of genuine engagement and commitment?


Day 2: The Danger of Detachment
The Pharisees' tragedy was their detachment and refusal to engage with Jesus personally. They remained onlookers, never allowing themselves to be transformed by His presence. Despite being religious leaders, the Pharisees chose to remain distant from Jesus, observing Him as a subject of study rather than engaging with Him personally. Their detachment was a deliberate choice, rooted in their desire to maintain their positions and traditions. This detachment prevented them from experiencing the transformative power of Jesus' presence and teachings. As a result, they missed the opportunity for salvation and the profound change that comes from a personal relationship with Christ. [18:35]

James 1:22-24 (ESV): "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like."

Reflection: In what ways might you be observing Jesus from a distance rather than engaging with Him personally? How can you move from being an onlooker to an active participant in your faith journey?


Day 3: Overcoming Prejudice and Tradition
Prejudice blinded the Pharisees to the truth of Jesus' divinity. Their rigid adherence to tradition and position prevented them from seeing the evidence of His miracles and teachings. The Pharisees were more concerned with maintaining their own positions and traditions than seeking the truth. This prejudice created a barrier that prevented them from recognizing the clear signs of Jesus' divine authority. Their rigid adherence to tradition blinded them to the evidence of His miracles and teachings, which were meant to reveal His true identity as the Savior. To avoid this pitfall, we must be willing to set aside our preconceived notions and be open to the truth of Jesus Christ. [26:49]

Matthew 15:6-9 (ESV): "So for the sake of your tradition you have made void the word of God. You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said: 'This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'"

Reflection: Are there traditions or prejudices in your life that might be hindering your ability to see and accept the truth of Jesus? How can you begin to let go of these barriers today?


Day 4: Facing the Evidence of Jesus' Authority
The Pharisees failed to face the evidence of Jesus' authority and power. Despite witnessing His miracles, they remained critical and dismissive, missing the opportunity for salvation. The Pharisees' refusal to acknowledge the evidence of Jesus' authority was a significant barrier to their faith. They witnessed His miracles and heard His teachings, yet they chose to remain critical and dismissive. This refusal to face the evidence prevented them from experiencing the salvation that Jesus offered. It serves as a warning to us to be open to the evidence of Jesus' power and authority in our lives and to respond with faith and acceptance. [36:20]

John 10:37-38 (ESV): "If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me; but if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father."

Reflection: What evidence of Jesus' authority and power have you witnessed in your life? How can you respond to this evidence with faith and acceptance rather than skepticism or dismissal?


Day 5: Embracing Humility and Submission
We are called to approach Jesus with humility, setting aside our intellectual pride and preconceived notions. By submitting to Him, we open ourselves to His transformative power and the truth of His salvation. The Pharisees' failure to submit to Jesus led to their ultimate tragedy. In contrast, we are urged to approach Jesus with the humility of a child, willing to learn and be transformed by His love and grace. By setting aside our intellectual pride and preconceived notions, we open ourselves to the truth of Jesus' salvation and the transformative power of His presence in our lives. This humility and submission are essential for a genuine relationship with Christ. [48:04]

1 Peter 5:5-6 (ESV): "Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.' Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle with intellectual pride or preconceived notions? How can you practice humility and submission to Jesus today to allow His transformative power to work in you?

Quotes


There are only two major responses here, and only two major responses are possible: one either is like the leper and the men who suffered from the py and his friends, whom you remember, of whom we are told that they were so anxious to see him and to come near to him and to be blessed by him. [00:10:28]

The very state of the world is pressing it, my dear friends. If what the newspapers hint at is true, and if we are sitting as it were on the edge of a volcano as we seem to be with life as uncertain as it is today, there is nothing I say that is more important than this. [00:11:25]

The Pharisees, because after all, they were the religious leaders, they were the teachers of the people, they were the doctors of the law, they were The Men Who separated themselves in an attempt to be holy and to live a life that glorifies God, and yet as I say, it was there of all people who turned against him. [00:14:21]

The first thing that explains their tragedy, as it seems to me, is that they never came out of the position of being onlookers. And it came to pass on a certain day as he was teaching that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee and Judea and Jerusalem. [00:17:01]

Of course, they were interested in a sense. That's why they were there. They'd come out of every town of Galilee and Judea and Jerusalem. Why? Well, they heard about him. They had heard rumors concerning him, and they were obviously interested. They were attracted in a point, as we say today, they were intrigued. [00:18:48]

Prejudice means that you've prejudged an issue. It means that you've not only made up your mind beforehand, but that you are controlled by something that has made up your mind for you. We are victims of prejudices. You don't take up a Prejudice; the Prejudice takes you up and it holds you in a grip that is as tight as of ice. [00:25:55]

They never saw that this was something altogether bigger. In other words, like all who have prejudices, the blinkers that were upon them prevented their seeing. They were confined and rigid, and thus they missed the glory. What a terrible thing Prejudice is. It is the thing I say that shuts the heart and shuts the mind. [00:33:36]

The trouble with the Pharisees finally was that they failed to face the evidence as it was there staring them in the face. They wouldn't face the facts that were before their eyes, and thus it was that they never recognized him. Take this particular instance that is given as one each side of this particular verse that we're looking at. [00:35:51]

They saw him healing lepers; they couldn't do it. They saw what he did to this man with the py; they couldn't do it. They saw him even raising the Dead, the son of the Widow of name, Jerus, his daughter, Lazarus. There was no question about the facts because they were eyewitnesses themselves. They were there. [00:36:49]

The fact of Christ is still there facing Mankind. We are not preaching cunningly devised fables. Christianity is a fact. That's why you called this year 1955. It dates from him. He comes into secular history. You can't get away from him. Jesus of Nazareth is a fact. There would never have been a Christian church if he isn't a fact. [00:40:05]

It was their failure to submit themselves to him that finally accounts for their tragedy. It was because of this difference between them and the leper who, looking at his skin and his festering SS and perhaps parts of his joints and fingers falling off, knowing that no man can help him and nothing can be done for him. [00:44:38]

You may have intellectual difficulties with regard to him. I would not minimize them. There are things that are difficult to understand, but what I am saying is this: don't be governed and controlled by them. Don't allow details and minui to rob you for a moment. Leave them, forget them, confront him. [00:47:27]

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Transcript
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