When Jesus was walking the earth for thirty three years, He spoke to many people. Some took what He said and accepted it as truth then made choices in their own lives to worship and serve God as He desires. Others dismissed Him as just a child, a proud young man or a failed leader who was put to death for crimes against the religious system of the day. Some listened and some ignored. Some believed some scoffed. Some followed, some went their own way. Did you ever wonder why they, the ones who met Jesus in the flesh, didn’t listen to Him?
I suppose some of them were expecting anyone who would speak things worth listening to would have years of life experiences behind them. He did not come as an old wise man yet He was the creator of all life. Some may have expected a well weathered fatherly figure to bring such pearls of wisdom. It may have been difficult to accept someone who had only ever been a son could know much of value. He came as a son and not a father yet He said He and His father in Heaven were one and the same.
Older wise men might take the time to listen to the questions of a young lad with the intent of giving them the benefit of their years. They had learned from the aged men of their lives and gathered wisdom and knowledge during their studies and trials. They were revered for the challenges they could pose to the young men of their time Yet He challenged them at twelve years old.
When He began His public ministry He passed by the learned aged men and chose twelve who were not among them. As He traveled and taught, His wisdom was a challenge to wise old men who may have been with Him when He was twelve. His truth was a challenge to those who lived a lie. Nothing was hidden from Him. All intents and desires were plainly open before Him. No deception hid crouched within veiled words, He knew each heart. When He spoke truth men either ran toward Him to embrace it or cowered in rebellious fear. Somehow perhaps, they sensed the future which awaits those who reject truth.
Men often seek to redress grievances with strength of weapons which make for war. His peace was a challenge to those who desired deliverance by war. He never ran away in fear. He had no need for soldiers or violent men to be ready to stand to His defense. He knew what was in men and the peace which was absent. People are comfortable around that which they can control by strength, subterfuge, manipulation or fear. Being in the presence of one who feared nothing and walked in peace while confronting the sin before Him disturbed them.
For some the only solution to insurmountable obstacles is annihilation. They plotted against Him thinking they could best secure their lives and positions by removing the one who exposed their evil desires.
They appeared to be successful. But there were among them some who saw Him as a deliverer from the tyranny of the conquerors of their land. His death was a challenge to those who wanted Him as king. They felt He could remove the bondage of Roman oppression. They had expected He would rise up to deliver them. They did not understand that it was exactly what He did.
The victory songs and smug smiles of those who condemned Him to the cross did not last long. True to the prophecies of David and Jonah and many others, He did not stay in the grave. Three nights and three days are what He declared while He was yet living. No one believed Jonah spent just twenty six or so hours in the belly of the whale yet somehow they seem to miscount the accurate fulfillment of the prophecy that Jesus Himself quoted. His resurrection was a challenge to those who put Him in the grave. It was a wonder to those who would also cry “Lord I believe, help my unbelief”. They did not see the possibility that He could be alive again after three days in the grave. When they found Him no longer in the tomb, they wondered at these things.
They had walked with Him and dined with Him and drew near to Him so that when He left they might still listen to Him. They listened to His words and learned of Him as the meek and the mighty. His appearances before them brought renewed wonderment.
His comfort of touching, of communing, of instructing and loving them, poured the gift of heaven into earth for just forty more days. When it was time to ascend to His father, He made His future plans clear. “I will return”.
He declared His return just as the angels had declared His arrival. Why didn’t they listen to Jesus? Who didn’t listen to Him? He spoke to many people, over five hundred who then told many many others. Some took what they heard and accepted it as truth, then made choices in their own lives to worship and serve God. Others dismissed it as unfounded fables and imaginings of zealous seekers. Some listened and some ignored. Some believed, some scoffed. Some followed, some went their own way. Did you ever wonder why with all the evidence, all the testimony, all the fulfilled prophecies that they didn’t listen to Him?
And most importantly of all, why do you not listen to Jesus? Today, in your life, He has spoken through His word, the Bible. He has spoken to you through the lives and testimonies of others. He has spoken to you through the nudging of His Holy Spirit in real and personal ways. And now, in this moment, He speaks to you again.
So tell me, why didn’t they listen back then?
Why don’t you listen now?
Why won’t you respond as he desires?
Why didn’t they listen to Jesus?