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The deception and injustice of self-righteousness
My own definition of arrogance is the combination of pride and ignorance. It’s not hard to understand how ignorance is a limitation but pride is also self-limiting. Pride blinds us to our own ignorance, which results in arrogance.
The mark of self-deception is a lack of awareness and an unwillingness to even consider the possibility of being deceived. In its simplest form, self-deception is a willingness to believe a lie to avoid or ignore the truth.
When we are so convinced of our version of the truth, which is not true, we will go to great lengths to convince others in spite of any and all evidence to the contrary. This investment in our version of the truth renders us incapable of accepting what is true.
This was the case for the Jewish leaders who opposed Jesus. In spite of miraculous healings, authoritative teaching, piercing parables, and being confronted with their own hypocrisy, they refused to believe they could be wrong.
In their arrogance, they scorned and shamed anyone who would not agree with them or question their belief. Even when one of their own challenged them to be objective, they ridiculed him. This is the great danger and dilemma of arrogance.
Scripture
After some of the crowd heard Jesus say these words, they said, “This man is certainly the prophet.” Other people said, “This man is the Messiah.” Still other people asked, “How can the Messiah come from Galilee? Doesn’t Scripture say that the Messiah will come from the descendants of David and from the village of Bethlehem, where David lived?”
So the people were divided because of Jesus. Some of them wanted to arrest him, but they couldn’t. [vss 40-44]
When the temple guards returned, the chief priests and Pharisees asked them, “Why didn’t you bring Jesus?” The temple guards answered, “No human has ever spoken like this man.”
The Pharisees asked the temple guards, “Have you been deceived too? Has any ruler or any Pharisee believed in him? This crowd is cursed because it doesn’t know Moses’ Teachings.”[vss 45-49]
One of those Pharisees was Nicodemus, who had previously visited Jesus. Nicodemus asked them, “Do Moses’ Teachings enable us to judge a person without first hearing that person’s side of the story? We can’t judge a person without finding out what that person has done.”
They asked Nicodemus, “Are you saying this because you’re from Galilee? Study ⌊the Scriptures⌋, and you’ll see that no prophet comes from Galilee.” Then each of them went home. [vss 50-53]
(John 7:40-53 GW)
Key phrase—
So the people were divided because of Jesus.
Digging Deeper...
Review the Scriptures above as you answer the following questions
What were the statements and questions of the crowds gathered in Jerusalem?
What did the temple guards say to the chief priests and Pharisees who sent them to arrest Jesus?
What does their response to the guards tell us about the Pharisees?
Who speaks up to challenge the prevailing arrogance of the Pharisees?
Reflection...
It’s been said, “leaders lead.” This is true up to a point. When the leadership of a leader or group of leaders is uncertain, it causes confusion among people. This is what we see in the contrast between Jesus and the Jewish leaders.
Jesus taught with great authority and led His disciples with confidence and certainty. This is why so many followed Jesus in the beginning of His ministry. Miraculous healings confirmed His authority.
But when people were offended by what Jesus declared and He was opposed by the Jewish leaders who were jealous and threatened by Jesus, the result was confusion.
Generally speaking, most people follow rather than lead. When there is obvious conflict among leaders, it breeds contentiousness and confusion. This is what we see depicted in this segment of the story.
As time went on from this point, opposition to Jesus grew stronger. Not because of uncertainty with the leadership of Jesus but from the influence of various Jewish leaders opposed to Jesus. Their arrogance led the people of Israel astray.
Taking it to heart...
Read through the Scripture text again as you consider and answer these questions
Why do you think some of the people were convinced Jesus was the Messiah?
What was the reasoning of the people who didn’t accept Jesus as the Messiah?
What was it about Jesus that kept the guards from arresting Jesus?
How does Nicodemus use the Law of Moses to challenge the other Jewish leaders?
What is their response to Nicodemus and how can this be applicable in the church today?
Personalize it...
Meditate On This— Most people follow rather than lead. When there is obvious conflict among leaders, it breeds contentiousness and confusion. Jesus led His disciples with confidence and certainty and taught with great authority. When we faithfully follow Jesus we can better lead others.
Prayer Focus— When you find yourself confused or conflicted by someone’s leadership, ask the Lord for discernment and wisdom. Consider the leadership of others in the light of the Lord’s leadership and nature.
©2020—Word-Strong