Hearing His Word

People have always tried to discredit Jesus. The Pharisees and Sadducees tried to trap Him in controversy by asking him trick questions. He simply redirected the conversations to bring truth and spiritual light.

One day a Pharisee, a scribe by trade, listened to one of Jesus’ conversations with the Pharisees and Sadducees. He heard them disputing with one another, and he realized Jesus made sense. He [Jesus] answered them well. (Mk. 12:28b RSV)

This man also began to ask questions, but not to prove his own point or to find fault. He sought honest answers—regardless of where they might lead him. And Jesus, after sharing with him for some time, declared, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” (v. 34b)

When we have questions, it’s easy to be swayed by those who scoff—be it ever so subtle. But if we openly bring a matter to Jesus and hear His Words, we discover He does, indeed, answer well.

Originally published July 17, 1981.
Picture: The birds are gone, but the nest is still here, 2009. Photo by Solveig.

To Justify Himself

A religious leader planned to catch Jesus with a trick question by asking how a person could, “inherit eternal life?” (Lk. 10:25 NIV) This would seem simple, but it was controversial because organized religion was in the habit of complicating simple truth. One group—the Sadducees—even taught there was no life after death.

Scripture contained an answer, however, and the simple truth was well known. Jesus let the man begin their discussion by asking the man to quote it: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind.” And “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (v. 27)

Perhaps the expert was even waiting for superficial excuses in tune with prevailing ideas of the culture, but Jesus confronted him: “You have answered correctly . . . Do this and you will live.” (v. 28)

Simple truth is usually hard to live. Although the religious man recognized his guilt, he wanted to rationalize a way to ignore God’s clear command. The Bible says, “But he wanted to justify himself.” So he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” (v. 29)

Originally published May 2, 1986.

Seeking Truth?

If our goal is looking for hidden sin in others—or finding a flaw in their logic—or revealing their financial blunder—we best beware. There is a good chance we’re no longer seeking truth.

It may even mean we feel threatened—that we’re looking for problems in others so we can hide our own guilt.

This was the case of the Pharisees or the religious authorities of Jesus' time. Jesus confronted their deceit. He spoke of how they strictly followed legal requirements while failing to show mercy. He spoke of their desire for public recognition. Then He expanded His indictment to include Scribes and Lawyers as well.

That Jesus was speaking truth was obvious to everyone. The only defense for these leaders was to find fault in Jesus. That might take the attention away from themselves. So, the scribes and the Pharisees began to assail Him vehemently, and to cross-examine Him about many things, lying in wait for Him, and seeking to catch Him in something He might say, that they might accuse Him. (Lk. 11:53b,54) They weren’t seeking truth.

If they had taken Jesus’ words to heart they could have received from Him. They didn’t want to hear someone who would challenge their comfortable world.

Originally published September 18, 1992.
Picture: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2008. Photo by Solveig.

Motives of the Heart

Parables are often hard to understand, but if we think deeply about them, they reveal hidden motives of the heart.

Jesus told about two sons. Their father asked both to work in a vineyard. The first said no—but worked anyway. The second said yes—but did not work.

Torn between obedience and personal desires, the first son responded poorly. Nevertheless, in the end he did the right thing.

The second son might have thought his motives were right. Perhaps he desired to work until he was distracted. Most likely, however, he deceived himself. Had his love been pure, nothing could interfere with keeping his word.

When Jesus asked the religious leaders which son did the father’s will, they knew the right answer and they replied, The first. Yet Jesus was comparing them to the second son. They served God with their mouth—not with their heart.

Assuredly, said Jesus, tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you. (Mt. 21:31b NKJV)

Oirignally published February 5, 1988.
Picture: Flower in Arizona desert, 2008. Photo by Patty.

God Incarnate

Jesus revealed that He believed He was God Incarnate when He said, “I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, He will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.” (Jn. 6:51 NKJV)

The claims of the statement are fantastic and audacious. Jesus was saying He had come from heaven, even though it was well known that He had grown up and lived most of His adult life as a resident of Palestine. He was claiming to be the key to eternal life, a concept about which even the religious leaders of His time could not agree. And He was referring to a sacrifice that would save the entire world, a sacrifice no one could understand because He had not yet died on the cross.

Jesus' claims were absurd in the ears of all who heard Him. They were guaranteed to confuse the general population and antagonize the religious leaders or the powers-that-be.

Jesus risked everything for Truth.

Originally published January 15, 1993