Eight Responses to Meeting JesusSample

People will reject Jesus

“And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, ‘Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed’” (Luke 2:34)

The Lord Jesus was just a baby when He came into the temple with His parents. But Simeon looked beyond that. Jesus was the Messiah, sent by God the Father. But not all people would accept Him as such. Many would be annoyed with Him and speak against Him.

Simeon was right. For although Jesus' public appearance some thirty years later attracted much interest, there was also growing opposition. Jesus did not meet the expectations of many Jews who hoped for political restoration of Israel. He denounced the hypocritical attitudes of religious leaders, which was not appreciated. He spoke of loving your enemies, which for many people went way too far. He spoke of Himself as the bread of life and how He would sacrifice Himself for the world. Many people thought that was rather strange, and they turned away from Jesus. And deep within, many felt their pride hurt by Jesus' message that all people are sinful and can be reconciled to God only through faith in Him.

Are there things in Jesus' actions or in His words that bother you? What words of Jesus bother you the most and why?