“The one who comes from above is superior to all. The one who is from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks about earthly things. The one who comes from heaven is superior to all. He testifies about what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. The one who has accepted his testimony has confirmed clearly that God is truthful. For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for he does not give the Spirit sparingly.” —John 3:31-34
Jesus’ thoughts and ways are far superior to man’s thoughts and ways. I am reminded of God’s words through the prophet Isaiah:
“Indeed, my plans are not like your plans, and my deeds are not like your deeds,” says the LORD, “for just as the sky is higher than the earth, so my deeds are superior to your deeds and my plans superior to your plans.” —Isaiah 55:8-9
“ Who comprehends the mind of the LORD, or gives him instruction as his counselor? From whom does he receive directions? Who teaches him the correct way to do things, or imparts knowledge to him, or instructs him in skillful design?”
—Isaiah 40:13-14
“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is an eternal God, the Creator of the whole earth. He does not get tired or weary; there is no limit to his wisdom.”
—Isaiah 40:28
Jesus testified to the truth. Yet, as our verses for today tell us, “no one accept(ed) his testimony.” The people of His day regarded His words as non-important–a non-issue to them–not too dissimilar to what we find today. People do not want to be bothered if it means that the ultimate authority of their life must change. Satan has blinded people’s hearts and minds from the truth of living of living and dying with the assurance and freedom that comes from salvation in Christ Jesus. Proverbs tells us:
“Fearing the LORD is the beginning of discernment, but fools have despised wisdom and moral instruction.” —Proverbs 1:7
What God holds out to mankind is amazing–“Now to him who by the power that is working within us is able to do far beyond all that we ask or think”—Ephesians 3:20 –yet, many shrug their shoulders apathetically continuing on in their ignorance or simply selfish ways–having a total disregard of God’s best for their lives. I am reminded of the words prophetically describing Jesus penned by the prophet Isaiah:
“He was despised and rejected by people, one who experienced pain and was acquainted with illness; people hid their faces from him; he was despised, and we considered him insignificant.” —Isaiah 53:3
Despised and rejected by those He came to save, Jesus laments as He looks out over the city of Jerusalem:
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those who are sent to you! How often I have longed to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you would have none of it! Look, your house is left to you desolate! For I tell you, you will not see me from now until you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!” —Matthew 23:37-39
Jesus knew that our need was very great. We are like helpless sheep and our Shepherd knows each need and how to fill it:
“Then Jesus went throughout all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were bewildered and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”
—Matthew 9:35-36
Take It to Heart
The reality of Jesus’ mission remains … he came to save sinners … sinners like you and me!
“Then Jesus, in the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and news about him spread throughout the surrounding countryside. He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by all.”
“Now Jesus came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and the regaining of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to tell them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled even as you heard it being read.” —Luke 4:14-21