Taking Jesus Seriously

TAKING JESUS SERIOUSLY

Introduction: Many times when people say things to us that are hard to believe, we may

reply, "are you serious?" However, Jesus was serious in everything he said.

I HE WAS SERIOUS IN HIS PREACHING.

People in the time of Jesus would often say that he did not preach like the scribes

and the Pharisees. Traditional Jewish teaching taught people to live so they could be

healthy, wealthy, and wise. Although Jesus might have included some traditional

teaching in his preaching, he taught some things which were out of the ordinary. Indeed,

some of them were difficult to practice and believe. "If anyone strikes you on the right

cheek, turn the other also." Was he serious? "If anyone wants to sue you and take your

coat, give him your cloak also." Was he serious? "Give to everyone who begs from you,

and do not refuse anyone who wishes to borrow from you" Was he serious? "Love your

enemies and pray for those who persecute you." Was he serious in the things he taught?

He talked a great deal of a future kingdom. In fact, when I attended a Bible school years

ago, one of my teachers taught that things in Matthew 5 were for a future kingdom and

not for today. What do we do with the teachings of Jesus that are hard to do? Do we

ignore them because they are difficult to do? However, I maintain that Jesus was

serious.

II HE WAS SERIOUS IN HIS PREDICTION OF RISING FROM THE DEAD

There is no doubt that Jesus was serious about his rising from the dead. He spoke

about his resurrection in John 21: 18-22 by relating the rebuilding of the temple to the

raising of his body. In Matthew 12:39,40 he compared his resurrection to a sign of

Jonah. In Matthew 16:21 he spoke of himself rising from the grave in three days.

In John 10:17,18, he spoke of power to raise his body again. Also the religious

authorities knew of his claim to rise from the grave.( Matthew 27:62-64.) However, did

the disciples take Jesus seriously? Imagine how you would feel if a friend of yours said,

"Oh you know, I am going to rise from the grave." Would you think he had lost his mind?

Would you say,"are you serious?" One writer has said that perhaps the disciples were

thinking that Jesus was speaking in a metaphor similar to Ezekiel writing about dry

bones coming to life. After all, Jesus had spoken in metaphors when he talked about

eating his flesh and drinking his blood. Evidently they did not take him seriously or they

would not have been so astonished when he did arise.

In John 20 Thomas expressed his doubt that Jesus had risen even when the others told

him they had seen him. Perhaps he thought they had seen a ghost or a spirit. Certainly,

they were not serious when they said that they had seen Jesus. Thomas is known as

doubting Thomas, but he was determined not to fall prey to any hoax or deception. He

had to see for himself. Put yourself in Thomas' shoes, would you have believed such a

story? Would you have taken it seriously? Thomas said to himself, "I don't believe it.

Some deception is taking place. How could anyone in his right mind take something like

a resurrection seriously? " Thomas had to look before he took it seriously. Thomas like

the others had heard Jesus speak of a resurrection.

However, Thomas needed to know that Jesus was serious when he spoke about

a resurrection. After all, this was not just anybody talking about a resurrection.

This was God almighty in human flesh talking.

Whatever God says is serious. Whenever God speaks, things happen. God was serious

when he spoke the world into being. God was serious when he called the light out of

darkness. Whenever God speaks he is serious. He was serious when he spoke the sun

and stars into their places. He is serious in whatever he says. When God through Jesus

spoke of a resurrection, he was serious. Jesus was not just a man telling a fairy story.

This was God almighty speaking the truth about the resurrection. Finally, when Thomas

saw Jesus for himself, he cried out, "My Lord and my God." The resurrection was the

real thing. Whatever Jesus says must be taken seriously! Just a look at Jesus was

sufficient for Thomas. We can join Thomas and say, "My Lord and My God."

III HE WAS SERIOUS IN HIS PROMISES

Jesus was not only serious about his teachings and his resurrection, but he was serious

about his promises to us. Jesus has left several promises, but we want to focus on four

special ones.

A.Jesus was serious about his promise of answering prayer.