We have spent the last two weeks discussing how different groups reacted to Jesus the first time they were introduced to him as the Messiah. We saw two groups react positively, and two groups react negatively.
This week we are going to look at modern times. How do people today react to Jesus the Messiah? What about you?
How Do You React?
Let’s go through each group and see how their reactions reflect both ourselves and others.
The People in Capernaum
The people in Capernaum received Jesus well the first time he came to this town. They were amazed at Jesus’ ability to teach and heal. They were some of the very first people to discover Jesus the Messiah. There were men and women in that town who eagerly left everything to follow the Messiah. They were willing to make sacrifices to see God’s kingdom come to the earth.
Even those that didn’t leave their lives to follow Jesus were intrigued by Jesus. They had never seen anyone healed from demon possession or even physical healing. They had never seen the true power and dominion of Jesus the Creator and Savior.
Are You Like Them?
Are you like the people in Capernaum? Are you willing to give up your whole life, everything that you have ever known to follow Jesus? Do you long to see the healing touch of Jesus in your life? Are you being attacked by the enemy and need Jesus to silence them and cast them out of your life for good?
If that is you, do it! I can’t promise it will not always be easy. I mean just look at the lives of the disciples. They left their lives as fishermen, tax collectors, and ordinary men to follow Jesus. They didn’t know it then, but they would soon face great persecution, and even physical death in the pursuit of following Jesus. Being a disciple of Jesus doesn’t mean we automatically get an easy life. While Jesus does promise an abundant life, he also promises that we will feel the pressures of this life (tribulations).
Regardless, it’s a great life when you choose to fully and completely surrender everything, every part of you to Jesus. Jesus will heal those broken parts, and he will send his spirit to empower you to bring his kingdom to earth.
The Samaritans
The Samaritans accepted Jesus as the Messiah not just because of the testimony of the woman at the well, but also because they took time to discover for themselves who Jesus is. The testimony of the woman at the well was vital to the people in Samaria to come discover for themselves who Jesus is.
They knew this woman. They knew about her past and present life. They also knew that this woman was different after talking to Jesus. I mean, who is excited for Jesus to tell them all that they ever have done? I know there are things I have done that I am not proud of and don’t really want to be reminded of. When Jesus brings up our past it is always a good thing. Why? Because Jesus doesn’t condemn us. When Jesus brings up our past it is for the purpose of healing and sanctification.
What About You
Are you like the woman at the well and the people in Samaria? Are you willing to sit with Jesus and let him tell you everything you have ever done? Are you willing to be vulnerable with Jesus to allow him to show you past hurts and sins in order for him to be able to heal those parts of your life?
Sharing your testimony is important. It is through stories of the things Jesus has done in your life that could change the lives of those around you. You never know, but the person you are telling your story to may be going through a similar situation and desperately needs to hear that there is hope. This is a great lesson for us all. Your testimony of what Jesus has done in your life is powerful.
Even more powerful is having a personal encounter with Jesus. When people experience the power of Jesus for themselves, it has the power to change them forever. When we only tell the stories of Jesus to others and fail to ask for Jesus to encounter them in a personal way, it has the potential to only be life changing for you and not them. “What Jesus did for them is cool, but he hasn’t done anything for me,” they may be thinking and feeling. So for all you evangelists, keep this in mind. Pray for those you are witnessing to to experience the power of Jesus in their own lives, and tell them your testimonies!
The People in the Decapolis
The people in the Decapolis had a rough start with Jesus. They likely had no frame of reference for the one true God. They only knew superstition and demonic power shown by the many false gods they served. When they witnessed the power of the true God, they became scared and wanted nothing to do with Jesus and his kingdom.
Later, some of these same people will accept Jesus with open arms, but their first encounter with Jesus was one of fear and avoidance. This is a great reminder that there are still people out there who will react this same way.
The thought of Jesus coming into their lives, and “disrupting” it will create fear. It doesn’t matter that they can clearly see the difference Jesus makes in other people’s lives. They, in that moment, are too afraid to release control and let Jesus do miracles and healing in their lives. So be patient. Continue to pray for these people. The next time they encounter Jesus might just be a completely different story. You just never know!
Remember, just because you have accepted Jesus doesn’t mean that you will never react to Jesus with fear and avoidance. There will be times when Jesus wants to address something in your life, and your first reaction is fear and avoidance.
I know I have reacted just like this before. The Lord told me to go through inner healing, and it took me a whole year to actually obey. Why? Because I was afraid of facing the trauma in my past. I was afraid that there was trauma that I didn’t remember, and it scared me.
In the way only Jesus does, he gently showed me that I have nothing to fear. Jesus will never bring up something that he isn’t ready to walk with you through. Sure, it may be difficult, but Jesus is always with you and preparing you to get the healing he wants to give you. I did go through inner healing and it has been amazing!
What in your life do you need to allow Jesus to address, but you are too afraid to do so? Jesus always has your best interest at heart. Trust him. You will be glad you did!
Nazareth
The people in Nazareth had a sad but predictable reaction to Jesus the Messiah. They only knew Jesus the man, but failed to see Jesus as anything more than just a good guy. They couldn’t see past Jesus’ past to see who Jesus truly is. Because of their unbelief, Jesus couldn’t do many miracles.
Unbelief is huge in the kingdom of God. Agreement is the key to getting things done in the spiritual realm. Unbelief is disagreement with the desires of God. God will never, ever force himself and his desires on you or anyone else.
After all, God doesn’t always get what he wants. God wanted humanity to live forever in the Garden of Eden, yet Adam and Eve chose to disagree with his desire.
God wanted the Israelites to enter into the Promised Land the first time they arrived there. The people didn’t believe that God would help them fight their enemies, and because of their unbelief God couldn’t perform the miracles he wanted to in their lives. God had to wait until a whole generation died before showing his power and dominion against the enemies of both God and his people.
What area in your life do you have unbelief and thus preventing God from performing miracles in that area? We all have them. When I discover areas in my life where I don’t believe that God will or can work miracles I do what the man in Mark 9 did.
…“I believe; help my unbelief!”” Mark 9:24 (ESV)
Ask Jesus to help you conquer unbelief in your life. Learn to live a life of belief and just watch as miracles can’t help but happen in and around you!
Others who are Like the People in Nazareth
There are many people in the world who see Jesus just like his friends and family did in Nazareth. They see Jesus as a good man, or even a prophet. They will say things like, “Jesus is a good guy who we can learn from.” “He lived a good life.” “We can learn a lot about how to live from Jesus.” They believe we can learn to be good people like Jesus was a good person. However, they just can’t or refuse to see Jesus the Savior.
We need to pray for these people to have a real, life-changing encounter with the true Jesus. You see, these people have only encountered false Jesus. When they encounter the true Jesus, they can’t help but be changed, even if they still refuse to believe.
How Many People First Reacted
When people first discovered Jesus, they were often amazed and curious. Who is this guy who heals the sick, casts out demons, and tells us that the time has come for God’s kingdom to come? They wanted to experience the healing of Jesus. They wanted what he could give them to make their lives better. He was an asset to them, at first.
Of course, later these same people, who were so open and welcoming to Jesus, would turn on him and demand that the Roman government kill him. Why? Because they wanted the power of the kingdom of God without actually having to do anything or change anything.
They wanted God’s kingdom to fit into what they imagined it should be. They wanted to continue to live life like they always had, and expected God’s kingdom to fit into their lifestyle. They longed for the comfort and benefit of God’s kingdom, but didn’t want to change anything about the way they thought or lived. They wanted the benefits of God’s kingdom without any change on their part.
People’s Reaction Today
Solomon said it best when he said that there is nothing new under the sun. He’s right. Today, we see the same types of reactions to Jesus. Often people are curious about the power of Jesus, and want him to do miracles for them. They are excited for the freedom and positive changes that Jesus can do for them.
However, when it comes time for them to invest in the relationship with Jesus, they shy away and turn their backs on that part. They want his benefits without facing accountability for their actions. They want to live like they have always lived, and have the benefits of being a follower of Jesus. Change can be hard. Change can be scary. People love comfort above all else.
What about you? Are you willing to go through the fire to come out refined and perfected? Do you have areas in your life where you desperately need Jesus to touch and heal? Maybe you need healing in your finances. Perhaps it’s your emotions that are crying out for Jesus to heal. Are you willing to allow Jesus into every part of your life? Do you believe that Jesus can and will heal every part of you? If you have unbelief ask Jesus to help you believe.
The thing is we all react like every group listed here. Sometimes we run to Jesus and give up everything to follow him. Other times we learn about certain areas of our lives that are “off limits” to everyone, including Jesus. We carry unbelief that those areas of our lives can or will change. It doesn’t matter how many testimonies we hear of other people experiencing the power of God in those same areas of their lives, we have decided that our case is unique and thus can’t be helped, even by the Messiah himself.
So let’s not judge others for how they react to Jesus the Savior. Instead of judging, let’s pray for them to experience the true Jesus and the power of his kingdom. Let’s also pray for the true Jesus to show his power in those areas of our lives of unbelief. It will change your life and those around you, just like the people in Samaria!
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