Photo by Marc-Olivier Jodoin on Unsplash
Disappointment is often the result of unmet expectations. We all have some expectations in life and of people. Unless, of course, you’re reached a cynical and nihilistic point in life and with people.
Many expectations are unrealistic or unreasonable. If you expect everything in life to go they you want, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment.
Some expectations are fine. A child’s excitement to go somewhere fun is healthy. My wife and I always look forward to seeing our family gather and when we get together with friends.
But even healthy and reasonable expectations may not go as we hope. Disappointments are a part of life for everyone. However, we don’t all handle disappointments in the same way.
What’s unhealthy is becoming fixated on an expected outcome that doesn’t go as we want. If we can’t let go of an expectation when it collides with reality, we may react in foolish and unhealthy ways.
Jewish leaders had an overtly nationalistic expectation of the promised Messiah. Because Jesus didn’t fit their Messianic expectations, they dishonored Him.
Scripture
The Jews had again brought some rocks to stone Jesus to death. Jesus replied to them, “I’ve shown you many good things that come from the Father. For which of these good things do you want to stone me to death?”
The Jews answered Jesus, “We’re going to stone you to death, not for any good things you’ve done, but for dishonoring God. You claim to be God, although you’re only a man.” [vss 31-33]
Jesus said to them, “Don’t your Scriptures say, ‘I said, “You are gods” ’? The Scriptures cannot be discredited. So if God calls people gods (and they are the people to whom he gave the Scriptures), why do you say that I’m dishonoring God because I said, ‘I’m the Son of God’? God set me apart for this holy purpose and has sent me into the world. [vss 34-36]
If I’m not doing the things my Father does, don’t believe me. But if I’m doing those things and you refuse to believe me, then at least believe the things that I’m doing. Then you will know and recognize that the Father is in me and that I am in the Father.” [vss 37-38]
The Jews tried to arrest Jesus again, but he got away from them. He went back across the Jordan River and stayed in the place where John first baptized people. Many people went to Jesus. They said, “John didn’t perform any miracles, but everything John said about this man is true.” Many people there believed in Jesus. [vss 39-42]
(John 10:31-42 GW)
Key phrase—
If I’m not doing the things my Father does, don’t believe me.
Digging Deeper...
Review the Scriptures above as you answer the following questions
What were the Jewish leaders planning to do to Jesus?
How did Jesus respond to what they wanted to do?
What reason did the Jews give for wanting to stone Jesus?
How did Jesus answer them?
What does Jesus say they should believe? Why?
Reflection...
You can’t reason with someone fixed on what they want to believe. This is true for all of us. When we’re convinced of our own rightness, our minds resist the reasoning of others.
The Jewish leaders wanted to stone Jesus for His statement — “The Father and I are one” (John 10:30 GW). They called it blasphemy. They didn’t accept Jesus as the Son of God, nor that He was the Messiah.
The Jews wanted someone like King David as their Messiah. They also couldn’t accept God becoming human. This close-minded stance is true whenever religion is nationalized. Their national identity shifted to their own beliefs rather than to God and His purposes.
The Jewish leaders were spiritually blind. They couldn’t see beyond their own importance. Convinced of their own rightness, they refused to consider anything different.
Jesus pointed the Jews to the Scriptures and quoted a verse from Psalm 82. This psalm condemns leaders who misrepresent God to His people by failing in their responsibilities as judges. The Hebrew word (elohim) is understood in this context as human judges.
Jesus underscores His legitimacy as the Son of God by reminding the Jews of His ministry to God’s people. Jesus cared for the poor, healed those with sickness, delivered people from demons, and proclaimed the Kingdom of God.
The Lord’s reasoning stymied the Jewish leaders but didn’t deter them from their mission to stone Him. Once again, Jesus eludes their attempt to arrest Him. As John points out later, it was not His time (John 8:20).
In defiance of Jewish leaders’ rejection of Jesus, many people believed in Jesus as He continued to do the Father’s work.
Taking it to heart...
Read through the Scripture text again as you consider and answer these questions
What does Jesus ask the Jews in response to their rejection of Him as the Son of God?
How does Jesus try to reason with the Jewish leaders?
What does Jesus tell the Jews that proves He was sent by the Father?
Why do you think the Jewish leaders refused to accept Jesus as their Messiah and believe He was the Son of God?
What did many people say about Jesus?
Do you believe Jesus is the Son of God? Why or why not?
Personalize it...
Meditate On This— You can’t reason with someone fixed on what they want to believe. When we’re convinced of our own rightness, our minds resist the reasoning of others. It also sets us up to resist the truth and God Himself.
Prayer Focus— When you find yourself at odds with the truth of the Scriptures, ask the Lord to help you understand and discern the truth. If you find yourself defying or indifferent to God, ask Him to help you see this and for His Spirit to soften your heart.
©2021—Word-Strong
