Shalom,
Let us properly use the opportunity to express our sincerity in listening to the Word of God and worshipping the true One, namely the eternal Triune God.
Is it true that we still have faith when Jesus is rejected? What happened to Jesus 2,000 years ago? His disciples fell asleep while He was praying. And not long after that, while He was still talking to them, a group of people – the chief priests, the chiefs of the temple guards and the elders – came to arrest Him. His disciples rejected Him. Judas Iscariot went ahead and approached his Master to kiss Him as a sign of the One to be arrested. It was proven that Jesus was not entirely accepted by everyone who had heard His teachings and witnessed the miracles He performed.
What was Peter's reaction to seeing his Master about to be arrested? Peter defended Him by drawing a sword and striking the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear but Jesus touched the man's ear and healed him (Luke 22:50-51; John 18:10). Then all disciples, including Peter, forsook Him and fled (Mark 14:50).
It is proven that Peter lost faith even though he had been following Jesus wherever and whenever his Master was active for ± 3,5 years in this world. Worse yet, he denied Jesus.
Introspection: How long have we been following Jesus? Is it longer than Peter? Moreover, how many times have we read the Bible, from the Book of Genesis to Revelation? Also, how many dozen times have you heard the story of Jesus' suffering until His crucifixion on each Passover Commemoration? Do we still have faith in Him no matter what?
What are the factors that cause a person to deny Jesus?
- Following Jesus to pursue temporal (physical) blessings.
Peter was among those who received care when Jesus multiplied five loaves of bread and two fish to feed the 5,000 men (John 6:1-13). The next day a large crowd chased after Jesus, the Miracle Maker and Sustainer of livelihood, because they had eaten the bread and were full (vv. 22-26). Then Jesus said that He was the bread from Heaven and the Jews began to grumble because they recognized Jesus as the son of Joseph and knew His parents (v. 41). Jesus continued saying that the bread He gave was His flesh and whoever does not eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood has no (eternal) life in him (vv. 53-54). Hearing all this, they quarrelled with one another and even many of His disciples withdrew from following Him because they thought His words were too harsh (vv. 60,66).
In fact, many people follow Him in pursuit of the Word that focuses on the physical blessings that meet the necessities of life. On the other hand, many shy away from hearing the message of the cross that leads to eternal life.
- From the beginning, they did not believe even though they kept following Jesus.
Jesus knew who would deny Him because Judas Iscariot did not believe from the start. That is why the Devil used him to betray and sell his Master for 30 pieces of silver.
- Lack of understanding/not knowing Jesus well.
Then Jesus challenged His 12 disciples whether they would continue following Him or leaving Him (v. 67). Peter appeared and admitted that they would still follow Him because His words are life and He is the Holy One of God (vv. 68-69). Jesus confirmed that He had chosen them but one (Judas Iscariot) was Satan (vv. 70-71).
Peter was inspired by the Heavenly Father and recognized Jesus as the Messiah (= the anointed King), the Son of the living God (Matt. 16:15-17). He confidently said he was willing to go to prison and die with his Master (v. 33), but ironically, he soon denied Jesus three times (vv. 54-61).
Of the large group, there were only 12 disciples who still continued following Him; even among these 12 disciples, one (Judas Iscariot) betrayed Him.
Introspection: Do we believe in Him? How well do we know Him? Our faith is at stake in our following Him. Do we still believe that Jesus is the Word who became flesh? Be honest when we have started to doubt the truth of God's Word, and ask for forgiveness when we are lazy to read the Bible. Indeed, we do not need to clamour to convince others that we have faith in Jesus. But how do we react when we are cornered as experienced by Peter? Do we still claim that Jesus is the only Savior of the world (Acts 4:12)? Or do we do the same as Peter did, denying Him?
It turned out that regardless of his following Jesus for 3,5 years, Peter's knowledge of Jesus was only limited to a great (physical) miracle worker. It consequently influenced the minds of him and other disciples of Jesus. Fortunately, Peter was regretful and wept bitterly because he was reminded of his Master's words (Luke 22:61-62). Jesus knew his faith was declining even though he had admitted that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of the living God. He refused when he heard Jesus was going to suffer on the cross. That is why Jesus prayed for him so that his faith would not fail (Luke 22:31-34).
Honestly, we might also feel afraid and trembled when we are cornered to confess Jesus, the Savior, with the threat of life. Is our knowing Jesus merely in miraculous terms of physical comfort? Doesn’t it undermine our worshipping Him? Nevertheless, we should be grateful that Jesus knows the condition of our faith and prays for us (Heb. 7:25).
Let us now turn to the experience of Saul, who, initially, strongly rejected Jesus and tried to destroy the development of Christianity at that time. Indeed, Jesus has risen, but as a result, the church bears the hatred of those who reject Him. However, the situation was completely turned around when the resurrected Jesus expressed His love for Saul. It was so in contrast because Saul was filled with hatred to the heart; then, his actions were filled with the perfect love of the cross. He was converted into a new creation in Christ and is better known by the name Paul. His judgment of someone was no longer according to human standards. He, who was once a fanatical Pharisee who hated and even killed Jesus' followers, turned drastically into His messenger, bringing the message of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:12-19) with the consequence of being rejected by his own people (Jews).
Application: We should become true worshiper, not just have a religion that ends with the search for human honour. On the other hand, with the help of the Holy Spirit, we who have been reconciled to God become new creations and live orderly lives not for ourselves but for Him.
Shall we still have faith even though Jesus, as a Servant, was rejected and His body was broken and ugly because of suffering on the cross but will be exalted and glorified (Isa. 52:13-15; Phil. 2:9-10)? The sufferings endured by the servants of the LORD are a prophecy that was fulfilled. Jesus, as a Servant, bore the evil of human beings and prayed for the rebels (Isa. 53:1-4, 11). Even on the cross, He prayed that His Father would forgive them (who had rejected Him) because they did not know what they were doing (Luke 23:34).
It turns out that Paul also suffered for the sake of the cross of Christ. How about us? Are we willing to suffer for the sake of the gospel of the cross of Christ? Remember, He died on the cross so that we may be saved and given the faith that is obtained by hearing the Word of Christ (Rom. 10:17). By the power of His resurrection, we are justified (Rom 4:25).
Application: We should preach the truth of the Word of God to anyone, including small children. Do not convey the Word to please the ear so that children grow up in worldly comforts but raise them in the teachings and counsel of God (Eph. 6:4). Be cautious that often without realizing our words and actions have denied Him.
We should still have firm faith in Jesus even though He was rejected on the cross because all He did was to save us. He knows our condition, which is vulnerable, fragile and powerless to face the challenges and temptations of the devil who wants to plunge us. Therefore, let us know Him more closely by diligently reading and listening to the Word of God and keeping faith in Him who guarantees eternal life for us. Amen.