“But I know that you do not have the love of God within you.” (John 5:42, ESV)
There came a day when Jesus came against some Jewish authorities. They saw Jesus heal a man who could not walk. Jesus healed the man on the Sabbath Day (John 5:8). The Jewish authorities immediately took offense at Jesus for what they determined was a breach of God’s law. Despite the fact that Jesus had healed a needy man, despite the fact that God’s law allowed for such an act, they took offense. Jesus didn’t fit their mold. Jesus dared to challenge their self-righteous attitude.
There are many people who take offense at those who do not fit into their norms. These people determine who is good or bad or right or wrong according to their own feelings or beliefs or understandings or reasoning. A person can be innocent but be condemned as guilty simply for doing what these people reject. Different ways of thinking are deemed inappropriate or unwelcome or dangerous.
Recently, when truckers in Canada dared to say that mandates were damaging families and hurting children, Prime Minister Trudeau said that the truckers had “unacceptable views” and sent the police of Ottawa to harass, fine, imprison, and hurt them. Police confiscated the gasoline that was keeping protesters warm in the 10 degree Fahrenheit temperatures. Police ticketed them for gathering to peacefully protest what was wrong. When Jesus was among the Pharisees and Sadducees, they also attacked those who held unacceptable views. They rejected Jesus’ words. They took offense at the scriptural understanding of Jesus that was not aligned with their own. To these leaders, you either agreed with their views or you were sinful, wrong, evil, or bad.
Many Jewish authorities of Jesus’ day and authoritarian leaders like Justin Trudeau of Canada have something in common. According to Jesus’ words from the gospel of John chosen for today, they do not “have the love of God within” (John 5:42). The Jewish authorities who attacked Jesus for healing a man on the Sabbath Day did not care that a man was made whole, and a miracle of God had taken place. This act went against their own religious understanding, so to them it was wrong. For authoritarian rulers today, like Trudeau; if something goes against their political understanding and sensibilities, it is wrong and should be punished. In essence, it boils down to this. For many people, if you love them, they love you. If you disagree with them, you are the enemy. The Jewish authorities made Jesus an enemy. Ultimately, they were implicated in Jesus’ crucifixion. Justin Trudeau made the truckers into an enemy. Some of them are still in prison for their “unacceptable views”.
These Jewish authorities and Justin Trudeau made people choose. You either choose to love them or you choose to love God. They are right or God is right. Their way is best, or God’s way is best. From their point of view, its one or the other.
Now, before you are quick to condemn the Jewish authorities who despised Jesus or Justin Trudeau, realize that you may be making the same mistake as they did. You may be caught in the same sin. You may believe in the same lies that disagreeing with you makes a person wrong or evil or bad. In the end, you have to decide if everything revolves around your opinions or God’s truth. Is it all about you or is it all about God? Do you love those who love you or love God?
“Renaissance Entertainment Inc. of Orlando is marketing “Ego Trip: A Ride About You.” The ride, which Renaissance hopes to sell to a theme park or to operate at fairs, will use riders’ names, photos and voices to create a totally personalized experience.
As paparazzi snap away and adoring fans call their names, riders will attend their own movie premieres. They’ll visit an art museum where they’ll view paintings of themselves as done by Picasso, Warhol and van Gogh.
They’ll attend a political rally where they’ll be urged to run for president and a sporting event where they’ll be praised for their athletic prowess. Finally, they’ll enjoy a ticker-tape parade in their honor.
Afterward, ego-stroked riders will proceed to the gift shop—where they can buy all sorts of stuff emblazoned with their images.
“What’s everyone’s favorite subject? Themselves,” Renaissance President Jon Binkowski said, “This is taking that to the nth degree.”” (“Spokesman Review”, November 30, 1997, p. A19).
The Jewish authorities were so full of themselves that when Jesus came along and dared heal a person on the Sabbath Day, they were offended. It went against their sensibilities. They made Jesus an enemy. Human beings, even religious ones, can become very self-centered. Then, it becomes one big ego trip. Everything can become all about them. Why isn’t everything all about the love of God?
Jesus’ death boiled down to the fact that he stepped over a boundary set in place by Jewish authorities. When Jesus wouldn’t side with them, he was deemed a threat. When Jesus didn’t love their authority, he was attacked. When Jesus didn’t fit their mold, he was silenced. But God the Father would not allow this sinfulness to stand. On Easter morning, God the Father raised Jesus from the dead. It was God’s way of saying that the love of God should always trump the love of human traditions and beliefs and sensibilities and power.
How much do you love God? Are you willing to humble yourself before the Lord? Are you willing to make it not all about you but all about the Lord? Do you still have the “love of God within”, or is there someone or something you love more? Your decisions, your actions, your choices will make the level of your love for God abundantly clear.
This Easter, be one of those who stand for the “love of God”. May others see the love of God within you. Though you may be hated for it, let the love of God shine brightly all around you. Others may reject you for it, but Jesus will bless you for it.
There are many people who take offense at those who do not fit into their norms. These people determine who is good or bad or right or wrong according to their own feelings or beliefs or understandings or reasoning. A person can be innocent but be condemned as guilty simply for doing what these people reject. Different ways of thinking are deemed inappropriate or unwelcome or dangerous.
Recently, when truckers in Canada dared to say that mandates were damaging families and hurting children, Prime Minister Trudeau said that the truckers had “unacceptable views” and sent the police of Ottawa to harass, fine, imprison, and hurt them. Police confiscated the gasoline that was keeping protesters warm in the 10 degree Fahrenheit temperatures. Police ticketed them for gathering to peacefully protest what was wrong. When Jesus was among the Pharisees and Sadducees, they also attacked those who held unacceptable views. They rejected Jesus’ words. They took offense at the scriptural understanding of Jesus that was not aligned with their own. To these leaders, you either agreed with their views or you were sinful, wrong, evil, or bad.
Many Jewish authorities of Jesus’ day and authoritarian leaders like Justin Trudeau of Canada have something in common. According to Jesus’ words from the gospel of John chosen for today, they do not “have the love of God within” (John 5:42). The Jewish authorities who attacked Jesus for healing a man on the Sabbath Day did not care that a man was made whole, and a miracle of God had taken place. This act went against their own religious understanding, so to them it was wrong. For authoritarian rulers today, like Trudeau; if something goes against their political understanding and sensibilities, it is wrong and should be punished. In essence, it boils down to this. For many people, if you love them, they love you. If you disagree with them, you are the enemy. The Jewish authorities made Jesus an enemy. Ultimately, they were implicated in Jesus’ crucifixion. Justin Trudeau made the truckers into an enemy. Some of them are still in prison for their “unacceptable views”.
These Jewish authorities and Justin Trudeau made people choose. You either choose to love them or you choose to love God. They are right or God is right. Their way is best, or God’s way is best. From their point of view, its one or the other.
Now, before you are quick to condemn the Jewish authorities who despised Jesus or Justin Trudeau, realize that you may be making the same mistake as they did. You may be caught in the same sin. You may believe in the same lies that disagreeing with you makes a person wrong or evil or bad. In the end, you have to decide if everything revolves around your opinions or God’s truth. Is it all about you or is it all about God? Do you love those who love you or love God?
“Renaissance Entertainment Inc. of Orlando is marketing “Ego Trip: A Ride About You.” The ride, which Renaissance hopes to sell to a theme park or to operate at fairs, will use riders’ names, photos and voices to create a totally personalized experience.
As paparazzi snap away and adoring fans call their names, riders will attend their own movie premieres. They’ll visit an art museum where they’ll view paintings of themselves as done by Picasso, Warhol and van Gogh.
They’ll attend a political rally where they’ll be urged to run for president and a sporting event where they’ll be praised for their athletic prowess. Finally, they’ll enjoy a ticker-tape parade in their honor.
Afterward, ego-stroked riders will proceed to the gift shop—where they can buy all sorts of stuff emblazoned with their images.
“What’s everyone’s favorite subject? Themselves,” Renaissance President Jon Binkowski said, “This is taking that to the nth degree.”” (“Spokesman Review”, November 30, 1997, p. A19).
The Jewish authorities were so full of themselves that when Jesus came along and dared heal a person on the Sabbath Day, they were offended. It went against their sensibilities. They made Jesus an enemy. Human beings, even religious ones, can become very self-centered. Then, it becomes one big ego trip. Everything can become all about them. Why isn’t everything all about the love of God?
Jesus’ death boiled down to the fact that he stepped over a boundary set in place by Jewish authorities. When Jesus wouldn’t side with them, he was deemed a threat. When Jesus didn’t love their authority, he was attacked. When Jesus didn’t fit their mold, he was silenced. But God the Father would not allow this sinfulness to stand. On Easter morning, God the Father raised Jesus from the dead. It was God’s way of saying that the love of God should always trump the love of human traditions and beliefs and sensibilities and power.
How much do you love God? Are you willing to humble yourself before the Lord? Are you willing to make it not all about you but all about the Lord? Do you still have the “love of God within”, or is there someone or something you love more? Your decisions, your actions, your choices will make the level of your love for God abundantly clear.
This Easter, be one of those who stand for the “love of God”. May others see the love of God within you. Though you may be hated for it, let the love of God shine brightly all around you. Others may reject you for it, but Jesus will bless you for it.