Revealed in Rejection

January 31, 2010

Background Scripture: Matthew 11:20 – 24; 13:54 – 58; Luke 4:16 – 30
Lesson Passage: Matthew 11:20 – 24; 13:54 – 58

Jesus contrasted Israel’s rejection of him as their Messiah to what would have been the reaction of former communities that were destroyed for their wickedness without having the benefit of what these communities had seen and experienced. Although these communities could see the results of the miracles Jesus performed, they were still blind to the message Jesus proclaimed along with the miracles. This was especially true of those who were leaders and the religious citizens of those communities. On the other hand, the simple, unlearned, and poor were benefiting both physically and spiritually through Jesus’ ministry. Not only were they being blessed in receiving healing and physical restoration, they were also blessed because they simply accepted by faith the words that Jesus spoke. While those who were religious debated the merits of Jesus’ claims and sought to dismiss them altogether, the poor and disenfranchised embraced Jesus. They accepted the miracles as proof of the message. They did not pretend to know the scriptures or the prophecies concerning the Messiah therefore they had nothing to debate. For them, “the proof was in the pudding”. No man had ever been known to do the things that Jesus did therefore Jesus’ explanation of those things was accepted at face value. Although many were receiving and being blessed, the communities as a whole were rejecting the message Jesus proclaimed along with the miracles. Jesus verbally chastised the indifferent in the regions that had been witnesses to his miracles. Their condemnation was based on their reaction versus what others would have done had they been given the same opportunity. Jesus said that cities that were destroyed would have repented and been spared had they witnessed the same miracles. This is no light indictment! Jesus stated that Sodom would have remained standing for thousands of years—even to that date—had they been allowed to witness the same works! The Sodomites would have repented? One would think that their destruction was based on their being too far gone in terms of moral corruption to be spared. Yet, Jesus said they would have remained if they had witnessed the same works he performed in Capernaum. Capernaum’s judgment would therefore be much more severe because of their indifference to Jesus’ mighty works. Jesus encountered the same form of rejection in his home town of Nazareth. Perhaps here he was too familiar to them. They knew him, his parents, and his siblings. They could not imagine him being the Messiah because they thought they already knew so much about him. Here, even many of his miracles were also rejected along with his message. This led Jesus to declare that a prophet is not given honor by those who are the most familiar with him but rather by those who know very little or nothing about him. Even in the midst of rejection, Jesus took time to rebuke those who would not accept him or his message. Jesus used their rejection of him as another opportunity to provide evidence that he is the Messiah. He did so by declaring the reaction that past communities would have had if they had been given those present opportunities. Only the Messiah could have known such a thing.

Robert C. Hudson
January 18, 2010

Declared in Prayer

January 24, 2010

Background Scripture: Matthew 11:25 – 30
Lesson Passage: Matthew 11:25 – 30

How does the Messiah pray? What does he pray for and what does he pray about? Since Israel had been waiting for many years for the Messiah, how were they to know when he had arrived on the scene? In our lesson today we examine further evidence of Jesus as the Messiah as revealed through his prayer. This prayer comes at the end of a very harsh rebuke of those that were witnesses of his miracles but they still refused to yield to his message. Jesus declared that the works he did were enough evidence to cause the truly repentant to turn to God and be spared. After citing examples of cities from the past that were condemned as a warning to those that were indifferent during the time of his ministry, he then turned to the Father in prayer.

Jesus thanked God for opening the eyes of the spiritual babes while blinding the wise and the prudent. He was thankful because this was good in the Father’s sight to do so. He then declared himself to be the only link between God and man. All things come from the Father through Jesus. There is no other route or “Plan B”. There is no relationship with the Father outside of Jesus. This is a very dogmatic statement within the Christian faith. If a person is to know God, it can only be done through the Son. Jesus is not a way to God but he is the only way! This is a very different view than the philosophy within many other religious faiths of the world. Whereas many people believe and are taught that there are many ways to achieve spiritual salvation, this is in stark contrast to the Christian view that Jesus is, without equal, the only way that God has given to mankind to be saved eternally. The only way to know God is to accept the revelation of him as revealed through his son Jesus.

Jesus then made an impassioned plea, “Come unto me all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” This was and continues to be the greatest invitation ever extended to mankind. Jesus offered to bring us to the Father. He promised to provide rest for weary souls. The invitation is for us to take on Jesus’ Lordship or yoke. He characterizes himself as an ideal Master. He does not overburden us or make our relationship with him difficult. His yoke is easy and his burden is light. He invites us to accept his Lordship and learn of him and thereby we shall find rest for our souls. Only the Messiah could do such a thing and Jesus declared it in prayer.

Robert C. Hudson
January 13, 2010

Demonstrated in Acts of Healing

January 17, 2010

Background Scripture: Matthew 9:27 – 34; 11:2 – 6
Lesson Passage: Matthew 9:27 – 34; 11:2 – 6

“Are you the one? Are you the “real deal”? After waiting for so long (hundreds of years), surely you won’t disappoint us as others have. If you are not the Messiah that we have been looking for, then simply tell us so that we can continue to seek for him.” The response was direct yet quite obscure at the same time. “Look at what I do and don’t be offended in me. Go tell John what you hear and what you see.” Jesus obviously had no identification card declaring him to be the long awaited Messiah of Israel. But how was Israel to know for sure if he was indeed the one? Sure, they had many prophesies but the very nature of prophesies make them dark and somewhat mysterious. How was Israel to know for sure that he was indeed the one? John the Baptist decided to take no chances and sent two of his disciples to ask Jesus directly if he was the one. Yes, the same John the Baptist who announced to Israel that Jesus was their God-sent deliverer. He even told them how God had given him instructions to start his ministry so that Jesus could be revealed to Israel. John went on to tell them the signs God had given him that would authenticate Jesus’ identity. Why then would John the Baptist be confused? What changed? John’s circumstances had changed. John was now in prison facing execution. It is strange how life and death matters seem to rattle the very foundation of our faith. This seems to have been the case with John. Jesus’ answer, nonetheless, was the same regardless of individual circumstances. The very works he did was a demonstration of his authenticity. This was not some mere prophet or healer. Jesus was the one and only. People flocked to him as they heard about him. No matter what their needs were, they believed that all they needed to do was to get to Jesus and he would make everything alright. Blind, mute, lepers, and all manner of diseased went, were carried, and some had the good fortune or blessing to be exactly where Jesus was already coming to. Nothing qualified them for the blessings other than their steadfast belief that Jesus was able to do it. Some even had dead love ones raised back to life. What manner of man was this? Some did not care what manner of man he was as long as he was who he was and he did what he did. One declared “Whether he is a sinner or not I don’t know, but whereas I was blind now I see.” Yet, those who should have been the most informed proved to be the least. Their misinterpretations and lack of understanding concerning the scriptures or the word of God made them spiritually blind to what the uninformed public was being allowed to see plainly. Jesus was truly sent from God and the poor were reaping the benefits. What does it take to believe that Jesus is the Messiah sent from God? The many acts of healing are evidence that he is the Messiah.


Robert C. Hudson
January 4, 2010

Strengthened in Temptation

January 10, 2010

Background Scripture: Matthew 4:1 – 11
Lesson Passage: Matthew 4:1 – 11

In our lesson today, we continue to examine evidence from the scriptures that shows Jesus as Messiah. Today’s passage presents the threefold temptation of Jesus after his water baptism. It is worth noting that this did not occur by happenstance or unexpectedly. The scriptures teach us that the Holy Ghost led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan. This is a reminder that in the Lord’s model prayer, Jesus taught his followers to pray to God to not be led into temptation. Although Jesus is omniscient, he also had his wilderness experience to offer as justification for such a prayer. In other words, this temptation was not easy for Jesus to endure and he did not want his followers to be subjected to the same. Jesus fasted for forty days and nights which left his body weak and hungry while his Spirit remained strong. Again, the temptation was threefold in nature. First, the devil attacked Jesus’ physical weakness and tried to use it against him. He was weak and hungry but the devil reminded him that with his power he did not have to remain that way. He was being tempted to use his spiritual gift to satisfy his physical cravings. Jesus demonstrated that his spirituality was much more important than his physical wellbeing and would not yield to the temptation. If the devil could tell him what to do with his spiritual gift, then what else might he try? Jesus was very hungry yet his spiritual gifts would be totally yielded to the Father to do his will. Secondly, Jesus was tempted to use his spiritual position to exercise his own will. As God’s son, surely the Father would provide protection to keep him from harm. Again, Jesus knew this without needing the devil to cause him to act insecure and put God to the test just to be sure that his position was still intact. Finally, Satan tried to pull the biggest con job ever. He offered to give to Jesus what Jesus had come into the world to reclaim, that is, the kingdoms of this world. But the catch—and there is always a catch when the devil is involved—rather than reclaim those kingdoms for God, Jesus, if he accepted them as a gift from Satan, would be required to submit himself to Satan’s rule over him! Satan was offering to give Jesus what Jesus had come into the world to reclaim but in the end Satan would never lose control over it because Jesus would have to place himself under Satan’s dominion. The devil is crafty! There is no wonder that we are constantly finding ourselves tripped up by him when we don’t follow God’s guidance.

Jesus, as the Messiah, could face temptation and overcome it because he was totally submitted to the Father. This was indeed the failure in Adam. Adam was convinced by Satan that he could be equal with the Father. As soon as Adam stopped following the guidance of God, Adam had fallen into temptation and failed the crucial test of stewardship. It is required in a steward that a man be found faithful (to the owner that is). Jesus, rather than yielding and being weakened by temptation, remained in submission to the Father and as a result was strengthened by the temptation and totally prepared for his three year ministry.

Robert C. Hudson
January 2, 2010