The
chief priests and the Pharisees used bizarre logic when they met to discuss the
problems Jesus was causing them. They didn’t deny that he was performing
miraculous signs, they just didn’t want everyone to believe in him. Their
privileges and prestige were at risk if the Romans decided to step in. They
were so concerned about their place in society that they were blinded to the
significance of Jesus’ miracles. They only knew that he had to be stopped
before their way of life was ruined.
Accepting
Jesus as Lord can upset your status quo,
too. If you have a job that requires you to be unethical in order to get ahead;
if you have friends whose lifestyles aren’t compatible with a Christian’s walk;
or if your family can’t believe you are serious about this religious stuff –
your life is going to change. Jesus didn’t promise that the life of a Christian
would be easy but he made lots of other promises (see 200+ Promises That Jesus Made for This Life and for the Life to Come,
compiled by Galen Currah, from The
Greatest Life Ever Lived, by Cheny and Ellisen, 1999, edited by Meltebeke
and Meltebeke). In John 16: 33, Jesus offers us a good news/bad news promise:
“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the
world.” (John 16: 33) It will be worth it all to be a part of that revolution!
Don’t be like the Pharisees and hold on to an old life of temporary fame and
fortune and miss out on eternal fulfillment.
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