Do You Know Him? Series

“God, I thank you that I’m not like that Pharisee over there. I thank you that I am a terrible sinner. (beat breast three times). I think you that I am humble (act humble here).” And of course, by seeing myself as the Publican I become the revised version of the Pharisee. Whereas, if I were to read the Bible and, blush with shame, seeing myself so clearly in the prayer of the Pharisee, and fall on my knees acknowledging my self inflated self righteousness, well, then, you know.

So, here’s the trap. No one, absolutely no one really had figured out the Messiah thing correctly. You say, well, Peter got it right in Matthew 16. Read it again, Jesus points out that if Peter did get it right it wasn’t because he had figured it all on his own.

When I read through John 8 so convinced that I am able to correctly see Jesus, absolutely certain that I’d be standing there among the silent minority, that I’m certainly following something. But, what?

The problem with studying anything a lot is that, the more I study, that more I tend to find proof that the things I want to believe are true are, in fact, true. Every phrase or verse that confirms my conclusions jumps out at me in bright bold letter, while those occasional verses that some misinformed people tell me go against my conclusions are all just misunderstood on the basis on content, context, or culture.

So, is there hope?

In verse 28 Jesus says, “When you have lifted up the Son of man, then you will know that I am the one I claim to be.”

As David Erickson said this past February in what may be the most powerful message I’ve ever heard, we have to all begin by going back to the cross and standing there, in silent wonder and uncertainty, facing that most troubling question of all, “Am I responsible for this?”

And, of course, the answer is yes.

As John says in the beginning of his gospel –

He came into his own, but his own did not recognize him.

As the old spiritual says,

Sweet little Jesus boy they made you be born in a manger

Sweet little holy child

We didn’t know who you were

Sweet little Jesus boy they made you be born in a manger

Sweet little holy child

We didn’t know who you were

We didn’t know who you were

Didn’t know you’d come to save us

To take our sins away

Our eyes were blind we could not see

We didn’t know who you were

We didn’t know who you were

VIDEO: a portion of “That’s My King” sermon by the late Dr. S. M. Lockeridge