-Gen. Jim ~ POW — 11/27/19
“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The Words that I speak to you are Spirit, and they are life.” -Jn. 6:63 Jesus spoke this to His disciples; “Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this (ref: drink His blood/eat His body –vv.53-58), said, ‘This is a hard saying; who can understand it?’” -6:60.
Jesus said a lot of things that both His disciples and His enemies did not comprehend. And, I will admit, some things I still don’t understand.
The Church at one time viewed Jesus as the “perfect”/ “sinless” Son of man/God. But today’s Church isn’t so sure. When Political Correctness and Higher Criticism slipped in (well, was invited in by those who lost their love for Him), Jesus began to be viewed as a man who was confused, had sex issues (was He a homo or fornicator or child molester?), and doubted His role as Savior.
But, rest assured, He is the spotless Lamb of God. It was better when we viewed Him as purely practical and austere, not some liberal basket case who didn’t know what His role in the world was.
Jesus was versed in Scripture: “…they (his parents) found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding (of Scripture) and answers.” -Lk. 2:46,47.
In all accounts, Jesus was an autodidact, i.e. He was self-taught. He no doubt studied the O.T. Scriptures when possible but also the Spirit of God was upon Him. He didn’t have a religious teacher, say, like Saul (later, Paul) who was well educated, taught by men of high education in the things of the law.
Jesus always said that he spoke/acted in accordance with His Father’s will. He didn’t live an extravagant lifestyle as did the “religious” of His day (and ours!). Jesus didn’t go around spouting cute cliches, but speaking eternal truths that when heeded, would set men/women free of sin. Unlike we today, in Church la la land who crack jokes and downplay his sacrifice. Although Jesus is the head of His Church, i.e. Ekklesia, He is not some kind of rich CEO who drives His people to perform so as He may become rich… richer!
Jesus told the people of His day that all He said and did was to please His Father. Far cry from His “disciples” of today – who act more like the devil than a disciple in training. Let us pray that we’ll be more like Him, allowing the “Sword that Cuts and the Fire that Burns” to operate in our lives.
