Bible Reading: Joshua 19,20,21. Luke 2:27-52
“And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which will be spoken against” Luke 2:34 (KJV)
Jesus came to challenge the status quo. He came to established a radical departure from our believe and value system. His teaching was an astonishment to the hearers and a total departure from the norm. He is the rock of offence to many who has benefited from the wrong doctrine of the then religious masters. “And he shall be a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem” Isaiah 8:14 (KJV).
He challenged the status quo in order to provoke the powers that be to take action to ensure that His teaching of righteousness did not expose them. The whole move for His crucifixion is not because He erred or sinned, but because His doctrine was exposing their evil deeds. Their anger and jealousy pushed them further to the fulfilment of prophecies concerning Him. In their blind fury to protect their selfish and evil position they made prophetic statement and acted in the direction of prophecy. They communed together and Caiaphas said in John 11:50 (KJV) “Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.”
His teaching did not conform to their religious pretence, instead it came pure and genuine and began to draw the attention of the people. Fear of losing relevance pushed them to seek His death. His death brought salvation and succour to humanity. Hear what the scriptures says about Christ, “Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.” Isaiah 28:16(KJV). Jesus truly came for the falling and rising again of many in Israel and consequently the entire world. “For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Jesus Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness, But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God” 1 Corinthians 1: 22-24(KJV).
In challenging the status quo Jesus said concerning Himself, “For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law” Matthew 10:35 (KJV). His teaching and approach to issues radicalised and challenged the way man thinks and act. He brought a new heavenly approach to the way we act and reason. By the Holy Spirit he gave to us we received the God accepted way of living which runs contrary to the façade of wrong doctrine that was humanly inspired. Jesus Christ is truly a rock of offence to the very rich and men of influence in the society. My dear reader come to Jesus to escape been a victim of satanic deception.
Prayer: Father I thank you for Christ whom you gave to rescue me from the wrong way of life.
Bro. Joel Ezeugo