16 These things His disciples did not understand at the first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written of Him, and that they had done these things to Him. 17 So the people, who were with Him when He called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead, continued to testify about Him. 18 For this reason also the people went and met Him, because they heard that He had performed this sign. 19 So the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are not doing any good; look, the world has gone after Him.”
Message: Misunderstanding Jesus
Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."
What the Lord is Saying: I love the honest reflection John gives in verse 16 to begin this lesson today - "These things His disciples did not understand at the first." What has just transpired? It is Passover and Jesus has left Bethany and gone to Jerusalem. He has entered the city and people are crying out Hosanna! or "Save Me" and acknowledging that He is blessed and Jesus also finds a donkey to ride in on, showing his humility and possibly some sort of completion like in battle of the culmination of who He is. And in this process, "The Disciples are scratching their heads, trying to figure out what is going on." Jesus is doing things. They are following Him. And they are trying to put it all together. They are experiencing Him. He is teaching them. They are slow to get it. And Jesus understands this. He has raised Lazarus it seems more for their purpose and the purpose of other people, that they will see this and better comprehend who He is.
And then John writes in the future in verse 16 -- "but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written of Him, and that they had done these things to Him." Sort of "Ahh, now I get it." At the time, maybe they went along or maybe they did things that they didn't understand at the time but still did it. And then later they remembered.
Verse 17 states that those who were with Jesus when He raised Lazarus continue to testify about Him. John 11:15 says, "that you might believe." Well, it has happened, people are believing. People continue to "testify about Him." The raising of Lazarus has sparked conversation. And in verse 18, "people went and met Him" for this reason of raising Lazarus. Again, more words that speak of the impact of a miracle. This miracle saw Jesus as someone they wanted to know.
But then the Pharisees who were bothered by Jesus. So we have one crowd that is going after Him and seeking Him and learning of Him. They are pursuing Him and then the Pharisees who are pursuing Him for their selfish gain. They are pursuing Him to apprehend Him and take him out of the spotlight. The Pharisees are looking at one another and disappointed stating, "You see that you are not doing any good; look, the world has gone after Him." In other words, they are saying that they themselves are not doing any good yet. Nothing is changing. People are still pursuing Jesus. In 11:57 they expected people to report Jesus but instead they want to know more about Him.
It is interesting to me - Tabletalk today has titled this, "Misunderstanding Jesus" but it seems it is more apt to say "Not understanding Jesus yet." There is a difference and that seems to be what I see - Jesus is being pursued and followed but not yet understood. Understanding Jesus is not always that easy.
Summary: The disciples continue to follow but still do not understand Jesus completely, but one day they will, we know this. Meanwhile, the Pharisees remain bothered.
Promise: Once we surrender ourselves we will see Jesus.
Prayer: Lord, I thank you for helping me to understand You. I see my life pursuing You and yet not understanding most of the time and most of the time wrapped up in myself. I think of growing up and going to church as a young person at Heights and going but not getting it. Maybe this was producing in me a desire for greater understanding. And then at 14 you used a movie to waken me up so that my life in You, in Christ, could begin. And since then I continue to pursue You and I am so thankful for that process, to know You more and seek You and try to understand You better and then how I can be present for others. Help me to be present. Help me to see people better and discover them. Thank you for keeping me on the path toward You.
Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.
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