1. Alexandra Flynn of Fremont, Nebraska, was looking forward to homecoming 2002. She left home in high spirits, but she did not have her high school ID with her. When the man at the door refused her admission without her ID, she went home to get it. Unable to find it, her mother went with her to identify her and to explain. Again, the daughter was refused admission without the ID. Alex had the tickets in her hand but still was not admitted. Even though Alexandra Flynn of Freemont High was Student Body President, plays cello in the Allstate orchestra, is on the Honor Roll, is the school’s number one cheerleader, and she spent hours decorating the gym for the Homecoming Dance, she was still not admitted. She was also homecoming queen! But, she never did get in.
2. Yeshua (Jesus) came into the world – with ID
a. Voice at his baptism
b. Voice at the mount of transfiguration
c. Voice of John the Immerser
3. Yet, even with ID, he was rejected and opposed – just like his bible predicted (Isaiah 53, etc.)
4. We have a choice about Yeshua (Jesus) – either we believe he is who he claimed to be or we reject him
5. Note his claim in John 8
I. The Inevitable Antagonism
Lady Nancy Astor, the first woman ever seated in the British House of Commons, encountered a lot of male antagonism – but proved herself capable of giving as well as receiving in that arena. Once, at a formal dinner, Lady Astor said to her neighbor that she considered men to be more conceited than women.
Noticing that she had been heard around the table, she continued loudly: “It’s a pity that the most intelligent and learned men attach the least importance to the way they dress. Why, right at this table the most cultivated man is wearing the most clumsily knotted tie!” The words were scarcely out of her mouth before every man in the room secretly reached up to adjust his tie.
A. A Major Emphasis
1. Yeshua (Jesus Had Conflict
• In the wilderness
• Brothers’ taunting
• Peoples’ Opinions – John 7.40-44
40 When they heard these words, some of the people said, “This really is the Prophet.” 41 Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “Is the Christ to come from Galilee? 42 Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the offspring of David, and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David was?” 43 So there was a division among the people over him. 44 Some of them wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him.
• Religious Leaders
2. If Yeshua (Jesus had conflict – what about me?
24 “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household. Matthew 10.24-25
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 1 Peter 4.11-12
B. A Misunderstanding
1. The Myth: Bad things should not happen to good people.” – Health/wealth gospel
2. The Reality – 12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 1 Timothy 3.12
a. Jewish view of trials prove discipleship
b. Satan is shooting at God and his people – no shots? Right side?
c. The reason for:
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1.2-4
3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Romans 5.3-5
II. The Inescapable Animosity
In order to avoid criticism, never do anything. Ever.
A. Pharisees Opposed Him
1. 7 Categories of Pharisees – 5 Bad; 2 Good
2. Produced the Zealots
3. Yeshua (Jesus) Most closely was associated to Pharisees in theology
B. Projected an Escalation of Anger
1. Contradiction (8.12-13)
2. Insinuation (8.19)
3. Denial (8.33)
4. Insult (8.48)
5. Sarcasm (8.53)
6. Violence (8.59)
III. The Intentional Affirmation (8.56-59)
"I am an historian, I am not a believer, but I must confess as a historian that this penniless preacher from Nazareth is irrevocably the very center of history. Jesus Christ is easily the most dominant figure in all history." H.G. Wells
A. Owning the Name – “I Am”
1. Echo John 4.26
2. Reference to God’s self-revelation at the burning bush – Exodus 3.13-14
3. Greater claim than merely Messiah – Mark 14.61-62; Matthew 16.17
4. Equates to God – John 1.1, 14; Philippians 2.5-7
B. Owing for the Name
1. Accusation of blasphemy – death – Leviticus 24.15-16
2. Mishnah Sanhedrin 7.5: “The blasphemer is not guilty until he pronounces THE NAME.”
1. King James V of Scotland would on occasion lay aside the royal robe of king and dress as a peasant. In disguise, he could move freely about the land, making friends and entering into their difficulties, appreciating their handicaps, sympathizing with them in their sorrow. When as king he sat again upon the throne, he was better able to rule over them with fatherly compassion and mercy. In the incarnation, God shares in human experience and thereby is better able to accept man.
2. In one sense, while Yeshua (Jesus) lived among us, he did so as one of us; in another sense, he continually proclaimed his deity.
3. I am – bread of life; resurrection and the life; light of world; true vine; son of God; good shepherd; door; way, truth, and life. . .
4. Choice: Throw stones at Yeshua (Jesus) OR throw ourselves at his feet
5. The great impact of Yeshua (Jesus) in our lives: J. Edwin Orr, a professor of Church history has described the great outpouring of the Holy Spirit during the Welsh Revivals of the nineteenth century.
As people sought to be filled with the Spirit, they did all they could to confess their wrong doing and to make restitution. But it unexpectedly created serious problems for the shipyards along the coast of Wales. Over the years workers had stolen all kinds of things, from wheelbarrows to hammers. However, as people sought to be right with God they started to return what they had taken, with the result that soon the shipyards of Wales were overwhelmed with returned property.
There were such huge piles of returned tools that several of the yards put up signs that read, "If you have been led by God To return what you have stolen, Please know that the management Forgives you and wishes you to keep what you have taken."
