WHAT DO YOU DO WITH TRUTH?
If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. John 15:22, N.E.B.
"I don't attend prayer meeting," she admitted sheepishly, "because I don't want to hear more truth for which I will be held accountable. If I don't know what I am supposed to do, then I can't be counted as guilty for not doing it."
Though the honesty of her frank admission was commendable, her theology was tragically lacking. She held such an unfortunately dim view of God that she didn't want to hear what He had to say about the beautiful life He offers. She saw it all as heavy duties and obligations. Had she seen Jesus' lifestyle as it is, filled with high privileges and opportunities, she would have sought out every chance to learn more.
The people about whom Jesus was speaking in today's text were much the same as this woman. Having been raised in a steeply religious environment, they thought they knew all about God's requirements. From all the evidence, they didn't like it either. They would do the minimum in order to "squeak by" into the kingdom, but they had no interest in learning more. In fact, they were so closed to it all that they would choose to push Jesus off a cliff, drive Him out of town, or nail Him to a cross, rather than hear Him talk to them.
In an interesting way, Jesus didn't blame them. He understood how darkened their understanding was about religious things. He knew that their religious leaders had simply loaded their heads with burdens impossible to bear, threatened them with terrible consequences if they didn't perform, then walked away, offering no help in bearing their load. Jesus did not blame people for rejecting false religion. He would not hold them guilty for their attitudes had they not known otherwise.
But the people had heard Jesus. They had not heard Him stacking large burdens upon their weary shoulders; instead, they had heard Him unfolding gracious truths about a wise and loving Father, whom to know is to love. Many had listened for hours as Jesus explained a high and heart-oriented religion that could not be faulted.
Pilate asked the crucial question: "What shall I do with Jesus?" (Matt. 27:22, R.S.V.). To reject false religion is no cause for guilt, but to reject the gracious person of Jesus Christ is the ultimate sin.
If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. John 15:22, N.E.B.
"I don't attend prayer meeting," she admitted sheepishly, "because I don't want to hear more truth for which I will be held accountable. If I don't know what I am supposed to do, then I can't be counted as guilty for not doing it."
Though the honesty of her frank admission was commendable, her theology was tragically lacking. She held such an unfortunately dim view of God that she didn't want to hear what He had to say about the beautiful life He offers. She saw it all as heavy duties and obligations. Had she seen Jesus' lifestyle as it is, filled with high privileges and opportunities, she would have sought out every chance to learn more.
The people about whom Jesus was speaking in today's text were much the same as this woman. Having been raised in a steeply religious environment, they thought they knew all about God's requirements. From all the evidence, they didn't like it either. They would do the minimum in order to "squeak by" into the kingdom, but they had no interest in learning more. In fact, they were so closed to it all that they would choose to push Jesus off a cliff, drive Him out of town, or nail Him to a cross, rather than hear Him talk to them.
In an interesting way, Jesus didn't blame them. He understood how darkened their understanding was about religious things. He knew that their religious leaders had simply loaded their heads with burdens impossible to bear, threatened them with terrible consequences if they didn't perform, then walked away, offering no help in bearing their load. Jesus did not blame people for rejecting false religion. He would not hold them guilty for their attitudes had they not known otherwise.
But the people had heard Jesus. They had not heard Him stacking large burdens upon their weary shoulders; instead, they had heard Him unfolding gracious truths about a wise and loving Father, whom to know is to love. Many had listened for hours as Jesus explained a high and heart-oriented religion that could not be faulted.
Pilate asked the crucial question: "What shall I do with Jesus?" (Matt. 27:22, R.S.V.). To reject false religion is no cause for guilt, but to reject the gracious person of Jesus Christ is the ultimate sin.
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