JP21: WHY SOME PEOPLE MISS JESUS AND ETERNAL LIFE

If you’ve ever traveled internationally, one thing you don’t want to do is miss a flight.  That’s just what happened to my oldest son and me a few years ago.   We raced toward our gate but gave up the chase when my backpack unzipped and the laptop ejected out the top, landing hard on the tile floor.  As a Turkish man and his young son helped us recover the strewn backpack contents, we settled into the realization that we, indeed, missed our flight.

Looking back, missing that flight was of little consequence. An extra night in a hotel and a new story to tell. But, what about the result of missing Jesus?  This post explores what we can do to ensure that we don’t fail to connect with Jesus and the life he gives.  

Perhaps you’ve wondered how some of Jesus’ close observers could miss him in plain sight.  When we look for answers, it’s clear that Jesus didn’t rudely force himself on those around him. He had a reputation for engaging all people with humility and love, attracting crowds small and large.

He engages us still, guiding us into truth, setting the example, and allowing us to respond in love, not fear.  Yet, some reject Jesus and miss the eternal rewards of his grace.  

One reason for this confounding reality is that spiritual forces oppose our individual and collective pursuit of a Christ-patterned life.  

We Have a Determined Enemy

The Apostle Paul reveals this opposing force in his letter to the churches in and around Ephesus.

“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:11-12

Though ultimately defeated by Christ’s death and resurrection, Satan and his demons actively employ weapons of lies and deceit. They seek to obscure the true nature of Jesus and the victory he wants to bring to everyone who believes.  Such is the case with Jesus' deniers who find their path to truth blocked by familiar obstacles.

Jesus exposes barriers to belief in the following scripture from John’s Gospel:

If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true. There is another who testifies in my favor, and I know that his testimony about me is true.“You have sent to John and he has testified to the truth. Not that I accept human testimony; but I mention it that you may be saved. John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his light. “I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to finish—the very works that I am doing —testify that the Father has sent me. And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice nor seen his form, nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent. You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.  I do not receive glory from people.  But I know that you do not have the love of God within you.  I have come in my Father's name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him.  How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?  Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you: Moses, on whom you have set your hope.  For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me.  But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?” John 5:31-47

Jesus explains that his accusers denied the witness of the Father, the witness of John the Baptist, the witness of Jesus' works, and witness of the law of Moses.  In the presence of overwhelming evidence, Jesus' detractors just doubled down on their efforts to subvert his mission.  Why did they respond in this way?

Jesus exposes what was driving his accusers' self-deception and their troubling refusal to believe with this question, “How can you believe when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?”.  

Choosing Pride and Popularity Over Jesus

The desire for approval from their social network instead of God drove their self-deception.   Rather than seeking Jesus, they sought self-promoters who told them what they wanted to hear within their respective echo chambers.  This response was so despite Jesus coming by recommendation of the Father, performance of miracles, and prophetic writings.  Rejecting an objective truth, they opted for a human-centered worldview that protected their social status on earth but forfeited eternity in heaven.  

As Jesus said, “...yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.” Desiring “likes” from their social tribe of friends, family, and followers resulted in facts being interpreted as fiction, firmly holding them in the comfortable grip of Satan.  

Explaining the battle between truth and falsehood, Paul wrote to the church in Rome that they,

“exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.” Romans 1:25

The people were blinded to the truth because they lived to worship themselves and others rather than Creator God.

How do we avoid the clever trap of self-deception?

Jesus tells us how when he says, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” Luke 9:23     Jesus also commands us to “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33.  

Living by the transforming truths of Christ begins with earnest prayer and intentional steps to seek the will of God in the ways we arrange our lives, engage the word of God, and obey the Lord.  Otherwise, our flesh will fall into deceit and gravitate toward worshipping the world to gain the world’s approval.

May the grace of God empower us to seek the Jesus-way with our whole hearts and keep us on the path of truth and righteousness for his name’s sake.

PRAYER:

Dear Lord, thank you for always pointing me to the truth, even when I lose my way.  Forgive me when I reject the truth for lies and substitutes that diminish your standing in my life.  Keep me in the truth, Lord, and help me by your grace to desire your will and approval before my social circle.  Help me remember that even if rejected here on earth, I will always find that I am your dearly loved child and co-heir with you to an eternal inheritance that cannot be missed.   Amen.

Why Some People Miss Jesus and The Eternal Life He Gives

Questions for application:

1. Do my thoughts and actions indicate that I am seeking God’s will at this very moment?  Could this be your opportunity to draw near to Jesus?

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:33-34  

2. Does my motivation flow from the desire to be popular, accepted by those whose opinion agrees with mine?  What would it be like to find full acceptance from Jesus and not find your value in what others think?

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” Hebrews 4:12-13

3. Am I trying to gain followers or am I following Jesus?  What peace would be yours to be led by the Creator and Sustainer of all things?

“Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.” Luke 9:23-26