Many Are Disappointed in Jesus

There are many today who are disappointed in Jesus. Thousands still stand at the foot of the cross and demand that the Lord do this or that before they will believe Him (Matt. 27-39-43). It must break the Lord's heart to hear the foolish arguments of carnal minds that reject the Savior and demand provision for secular benefits and casual delights. Nothing is so shallow as the cheap grace and carnival atmosphere of congregations that would make Christianity an excursion into politics, gimmicks and social grace, rather than evangelism, spiritual growth and emphasis on the divine realm. The simple message of the cross is still offensive to many (Gal. 5:11), but it is the wisdom and the power of God" (1 Cor. 1:18). Let us notice why Christ is still rejected today.

First, the very simplicity of the gospel system is a problem to those with pseudo-intellectualism. Satan has always used this trick to turn men away from God: But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve in the craftiness, your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity and the purity that is toward Christ" (2 Corinthiasns 11:3). Those who think more highly of themselves than they ought to stumble at the plain, simple and straightforward nature of God's truth. Such folk prefer complicated error to the "simplicity that is in Christ." How sad!

We read in John 6 of multitudes of former friends of Jesus who turned aside to follow Him no more. They were disappointed in Him because of the uncompromising nature of His teaching. At the very foot of the cross several expressed great displeasure concerning the nature of His death. Even at Calvary our Lord was an embarrassment to them. Our Redeemer once confessed (Matthew 8:20) that even foxes of the field and birds in a nest had more earthly comfort than did He! The Savior did not call the noble, the wealthy or the famous to be His apostles. To the lowly, un-lettered Galilean fishermen the basic leadership of the heavenly movement was entrusted. Not one single credential of greatness as men of the world evaluate greatness did our blessed Lord present to document His claims of eternal power. Is it any wonder, then, that Paul would later write, "For behold your calling, brethren, that not many wise after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: but God chose the foolish tings of the world, that he might put to shame them that are wise that no flesh should glory before God." (1 Corinthians 1:26-29).

By Johnny Ramsey

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