Sermons

Why Do People Hate Jesus?

Posted by Alex on
Sermon on October 20 by Pastor Roland Eskinazi

Scripture:  Mark 11:27-33

We don’t generally like people interfering in our lives – or our religion! Jesus is the ‘transcendental interferer’ (CS Lewis)

1. JESUS PUSHES ALL OUR BUTTONS! (v27)

  • He challenges our right to our rights
    The authority challenge is there throughout Jesus’ ministry – and now it explodes

‘In terms of the world’s sanity, Jesus is crazy.. and anybody who thinks he can follow him without being a little crazy too is laboring less under a cross than a delusion’ (Frederick Buechner)

  • He exposes our desire to rule our way
    Jesus is hated because deep down there is an envy that He really is the only One who has what none of us have.
    Is your life marked by obedience to Jesus – or are you a living thief?

2. JESUS SURFACES ALL OUR IDOLATORY!

  • A wise and powerful question (v28-30)
    If the leaders are too fearful to draw a conclusion about John the Baptist, the fear of man and not God, rules them.

‘We are responsible because we are response-able. Our ways of life are our response to God’s Word to us.’
(Os Guinness)

  • A weak and pathetic response (v31-32)
    The leaders refuse to believe in Jesus, not because they have no evidence – but because they refuse to see it.

‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead’ (Luke 16:31)

3. IS ALL OF YOU UNDER ALL OF JESUS? (v33)

Jesus’ authority is not up for grabs…

  • Globally – Jesus is scoffing at His enemies
    Who is ruling what we think are powerful countries?

‘Mao thought he could eliminate religion. He thought he had accomplished this – It’s ironic – they didn’t. They actually failed completely’
(‘Religion in China : Survival and Revival under Communist Rule’, Fenngang Yang)

  • Personally – Jesus commands our destiny
    You cannot avoid Jesus, or His authority? Ask Joseph of Arimathea before and after the Cross!
    If you know Jesus has all authority, you will both love Him and speak out for Him.

‘Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son’ (John 3:18)

Jesus laid down all He is on the Cross, so that all who trust in His name may live under His authority and love it! Do you?

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION

1. Why do people naturally question and resist authority? What is the connection to the Fall in Genesis 3?
2. Why is it so difficult for people to consider the evidence for Jesus claims fairly? Will evidence alone win people to Christ?
3. How does the fear of man affect someone who is considering repenting and following Christ? What does a fearless disciple look like?
4. Are there ways you can encourage your leaders/elders not be swayed by the fear of man? Pray for them and our church family to be wonderful examples of cheerful submission to Jesus and all the words of Scripture.

 

Photo credit FreeImages.com/Mario Alberto Magallanes Trejo