I Would I recognize Jesus

John 16:1-4
“All this I have told you so that you will not go astray.  They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God.  They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me. I have told you this, so that when the time comes you will remember that I warned you. I did not tell you this at first because I was with you.”

Notice this

a-  The Jewish nation:  Think of what they have received:  Paul gives a list in Romans 9… they have received the mandate from the LORD.  They have heard from the LORD.  They have the missions mandate etc..

b-  Jesus, the Messiah comes—and the LORD’S people do NOT recognize Jesus.  Sinners, adulterers, the drunk apparently do—but the LORD’S people do not….

c-  The LORD’S people do not recognize Jesus’ disciples

This falls to this level:  They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God.

This is Jesus’ assessment: They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me.

How can you go from God’s chosen adopted people—having received the KOBOD—-the weighty glory of God  (see Romans 9)
to NOT even knowing Father—-then NOT even knowing the arrival of the SON

This leads me to acknowledge


  • The erring tendency of my human heart (prone to wander, Lord I feel it—prone to leave the God I love)
  • History, tradition, what I did —where I came from—what I experienced—who I was—what I was a part of— is no guarantee for today—-(Lord you know I need a brand new touch… my strength from yesterday is gone….)
  • New arrivals and activities of God—are just that —they are new.  I have a tendency to keep God in a manageable box—if I do that—I run the risk of missing what the LORD is doing.  He is always doing something fresh. 
  • If I read the John16 passage and chuckle—-Yes, silly Jews—what are they thinking;  but, never have a moment of self-examination or questioning—perhaps I am more like these John 16 people than actually being an ardent follower of Jesus.
  • Perhaps it all comes down to an ongoing, daily, minute by minute relationship with Christ.  Jesus isn't a ‘back pocketed free ticket out of hell card’—He is my Saviour, lover, closest friend.  Someone I am intimately and passionately in love with.  Someone I would die for.  Someone I need to share better with others!

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