JESUS IS DIVISIVE (7 OF 32)
Scripture: John 7:1-52
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Jesus is Divisive (7 of 32)
Series: John
Patrick Edwards
John 7:1-52
Introduction
Back in October we began this series in John's Gospel primarily for its ability to get right to the heart of who Jesus is. That's been the question we've asked each week of this series and that's what we've been answering. And, for me at least, one of the most amazing and challenging things about this book is how it has shown us that Jesus is far bigger and far more than what we've typically thought. We've seen in each chapter, in each verse, the simple reality that we can't put Jesus in a box. John has shown us that Jesus does not conform to our expectations or our demands. Jesus is and we must surrender fully to Him on His terms.
In light of this, it shouldn't surprise us then when we read over in Matthew's Gospel Jesus tells His disciples, ''Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.'' (Matthew 10:34) This statement, and the picture Jesus paints with it, really bucks up against the portrait of Jesus that is often drawn, both inside and outside the church. Right? I mean the image of Jesus that is typically held up in our culture is one of a peaceful, mellow, happy teacher who simply taught a message of love and acceptance and that's it. The culture around us is perfectly happy with a Jesus that accepts them the way they are.
And we often in the church are more than happy to give them that view of Jesus. I think about how my entire childhood growing up in a small Baptist church I was constantly surrounded by these artistic depictions of Jesus, which picture Him as this light brown haired, blue-eyed, peaceful mellow Jesus. I call it hippie Jesus. It's a Jesus that makes us comfortable; that makes us feel safe. It's a very non-threatening Jesus, and yet one that we see in Matthew 10 doesn't really jive with the picture we're given in the Bible.
You see its worth note that these words Jesus speaks in Matth ...
Series: John
Patrick Edwards
John 7:1-52
Introduction
Back in October we began this series in John's Gospel primarily for its ability to get right to the heart of who Jesus is. That's been the question we've asked each week of this series and that's what we've been answering. And, for me at least, one of the most amazing and challenging things about this book is how it has shown us that Jesus is far bigger and far more than what we've typically thought. We've seen in each chapter, in each verse, the simple reality that we can't put Jesus in a box. John has shown us that Jesus does not conform to our expectations or our demands. Jesus is and we must surrender fully to Him on His terms.
In light of this, it shouldn't surprise us then when we read over in Matthew's Gospel Jesus tells His disciples, ''Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.'' (Matthew 10:34) This statement, and the picture Jesus paints with it, really bucks up against the portrait of Jesus that is often drawn, both inside and outside the church. Right? I mean the image of Jesus that is typically held up in our culture is one of a peaceful, mellow, happy teacher who simply taught a message of love and acceptance and that's it. The culture around us is perfectly happy with a Jesus that accepts them the way they are.
And we often in the church are more than happy to give them that view of Jesus. I think about how my entire childhood growing up in a small Baptist church I was constantly surrounded by these artistic depictions of Jesus, which picture Him as this light brown haired, blue-eyed, peaceful mellow Jesus. I call it hippie Jesus. It's a Jesus that makes us comfortable; that makes us feel safe. It's a very non-threatening Jesus, and yet one that we see in Matthew 10 doesn't really jive with the picture we're given in the Bible.
You see its worth note that these words Jesus speaks in Matth ...
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