MISUNDERSTOOD

It is easy to be misunderstood. Usually it is because something we say or do is taken by others in a way which we did not intend. Perhaps you heard about the auto repair place who used this phrase in their advertising: "Try us once and you'll never go anywhere again." That's probably not the real impression they intended to leave. When we're misunderstood it is because we haven't communicated properly.

Jesus was misunderstood during His ministry, but unlike many of our troubles, it wasn't His fault. Even the people who lived near Him and observed Him closely didn't understand His mission. In Mk. 6:1-6, we read of those who failed to see Jesus for Who He really was because they knew His physical family. Vs. 3 tells us that they took offense at Jesus.

They didn't see that He was the Messiah, sent from God. The question Jesus asked in Mk. 8:29 is so essential, when you consider how many failed to see Jesus in the proper light. There He asked His disciples, "Who do you say that I am?" Peter replied, "You are the Christ." He saw Jesus for Who He was -- the Messiah, the Savior, the Son of God.

When people misunderstand Him today, it isn't because He is unclear concerning who He is and His mission. Do you understand Jesus? His purpose for being here was our redemption! His love for us was so great; He died on the cross to pay the price for our sins. What will you do with that knowledge; ignore Him or serve Him?

We may occasionally misunderstand one another. It may cause us some temporary problems and frustrations but let us never misunderstand Jesus' purpose for coming to this earth. Coupled with that, let us not forget the need to fix our eyes upon Jesus in our lives, serving Him in love.

By Shane Williams in The Lilbourn Light, Vol. 9, No. 3, July, 2008.

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