It has Always Been this Way

Scripture: Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus earlier and who was one of their own number, asked, “Does our law condemn a man without first hearing him to find out what he has been doing?” They replied, “Are you from Galilee, too? Look into it, and you will find that a prophet does not come out of Galilee.” John 7:50-52

Observation: The pharisees continue to investigate Jesus, and are now casting dispersions on all who listen to him. They insult the guards who were sent to arrest him for being deceived, and they insult all the people who listen to him as being ignorant. They declare that none of them believe Jesus ... effectively stating that no intelligent, educated person with common sense believers what Jesus is teaching. We immediately see that isn't true, however, as the next person to speak is Nicodemus, a pharisee who has met with Jesus, is open to Jesus' teaching, and we know will become a believer if he isn't already.

Nicodemus doesn't disagree with the pharisees, but rather questions their methods, asking if their logic is aligned with scripture. The response is telling as ... they ignore the question, insult Nicodemus, and introduce logic that has absolutely nothing to do with the question or the truth (and is, in fact, inaccurate; Jonah was from Galilee).

In summary, the tools the pharisees use to argue against Jesus are:

-- Declarations of their own interpretation of common sense

-- Broad and inaccurate generalities about themselves

-- Insults against anyone who disagrees

-- Completely and provably wrong facts

The tool the pharisees reject and refuse to use when discussing Jesus is:

-- The known word and wisdom of the Lord

Application: I continue to wonder at the social issues of our day, and see this pattern over and over. Was this always human nature? Was this always the way humans work? Have we always, for centuries - millennia - chosen to ignorantly declare our 'common sense truth', while rejecting the Lord's teaching and insulting anyone who actually mentions the Lord as a possible source of truth?

Um ... yes.

The other day my wife and I discussed how exhausted we are just living in this part of the world, where every hour of every day is comprised of the echoes of this exact scenario. So many people just shout in anger to declare 'common sense' that is inaccurate and provably wrong, all laced with vitriolic insults toward anyone who would dare disagree, and actively rejecting the actual truth of God. It is everywhere here ... posted on walls in public venues, on local television, in conversations at restaurants, mentioned in business meetings.

It makes me wonder how Nicodemus reacted to this conversation. A learned peer, they insulted him to his face and hand-waved away his simple statement that - perhaps - they should consider the Lord's wisdom. He certainly felt insulted, angry, rejected, ignored, belittled, judged, isolated, and wearied. This is what we feel every day in almost every setting. However, Nicodemus also must have felt ... right, for he stayed with his path.

So yes, for Christians and all those who believe in Yahweh, it has always been this way. I don't know how much longer we can sustain it, though, in a place with such acute hatred.

Prayer: Lord, again today I say, may I look to you alone for my direction and walk. In everything, may I bring my work and thoughts to you for instruction. I believe in you, Jesus, and trust in the Lord. May my work be to your glory, despite the exhaustion and frustration of this time and place. Amen.