WAR WITHIN! Jesus Christ came "from above" – from another world. How succinctly He stated the case to who stood stupefied at His doctrine. "And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. (John 8:23). His coming was an intrusion into a conflicting order, a fallen and decaying order – world that was "under the sway of the wicked one" (1 John 5:19, NKJV). Even in a humbled state, with the prerogatives of His Godhood laid aside, there remained a sharp contrast between Himself and "this present evil world" (Phil 2:5-8; Gal 1:4). In Him we find the ultimate revelation of spiritual conflict – of the contrast between heaven and earth, God and man, and the will of God and the will of man. -- Tomorrow:
"But I see another law in my members, WARRING against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members" (Rom 7:23).
Devotion 6 of 23
HIS BIRTH
From His birth, the world opposed Christ. Herod diabolically attempted to rid his empire of this heavenly Competitor. In fact, it is written that he was not the only one troubled by the reported birth of a king. "When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, AND ALL JERUSALEM WITH HIM" (Matt 2:3).
So violent was his opposition that he proceeded to slaughter "all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under." Upon hearing of the Holy Child, and know where He was located, it is written of him: "Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men" (Matt. 2:16). Even in His infancy, Jesus brought out the enmity between a holy God and a fallen world.
HIS YOUTH
A conflict of worlds was seen during Jesus youthful life. On one occasion, when He was twelve years old, He articulated the conflict to His mother. When the family went to Jerusalem "after the custom of the feast" and had remained throughout its duration, Joseph and Mary returned home. It is written that "as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem, and Joseph and His mother knew it not." Joseph and Mary went a day's journey, thinking Jesus was among the returning group. Finally "But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him."
After a laborious search of three days, His "parents" (Luke 2:27), "they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers." Concerned that He had not been more thoughtful of them, Mary said, "Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing." The "holy Child's" answer proclaimed the conflict. "How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about MY FATHER'S business"? (Luke 2:42-49).
HIS MINISTRY
During His earthly ministry, our Lord was found to be in conflict with traditional religion. This conflict was the result of His insightful declaration of truth. Following His "sermon on the mount," this observation is recorded. "And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes" (Matt 7:29). He just did not sound like the scribes, and the substance of His speaking was altogether different than their's. His was not a learned historical disquisition or linguistic study. He unveiled to the people what He had "seen and heard." He told them, "I speak to the world those things which I have heard of Him" (God, John 8:26). Even His mother and brothers once thought He was "beside Himself" (Mk 3:21,31).
The frequent skirmishes He had with the Scribes, Pharisees, and Lawyers were evidence of a conflict between spiritual perception and devotion to dead tradition. The conflict between these two perspectives still exists. Some said He was "a Samaritan" and had a demon (John 8:48). Others said "He has a demon and is mad. Why do you listen to Him?" (John 10:20). Some of His critics said, "This man is not of God" (John 9:16), and "we know that this man is a sinner" (John 9:24). Finally, the Jews told Pilate, "We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because He made Himself the Son of God" (John 19:7).
Why did Jesus face such reactions from men? It was because of the sharp conflict between His person their's, His message and their's, His reactions and their's. He differed from them. He spoke differently than they did. He thought in a different way. His emphasis was radically different, and there was an absolute variance between His purposes and those of men.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for the prospect of being with You forever, and of being thoroughly harmonious with that eternal realm.