Jesus Left Men Conflicted

When they heard these words, some of the people said, “This really is the Prophet.” Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “Is the Christ to come from Galilee? Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the offspring of David, and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David was?” So there was a division among the people over him. — John 7:40-43

Jesus created a lot of conflict. And the way he does is so fascinating. He never leads an angry mob up to a government building. He never empowers religious zealots to surge the temple mount in a riot. In fact, he sneaks up to a major event by himself and starts teaching publicly. And the teaching is so profound that it has people extremely conflicted. They cannot figure out if this man is the Prophet, the Christ, or just a random teacher from the outskirts of Galilee.

And you know what? Since the day Jesus launched his ministry, he has had people conflicted ever since. Not because what he said and did, didn't make sense. But because it did. It just didn't meet with their expectations.

Even for me, there are things Jesus said and did that still make my head spin. But I have come to discover that the limits of my human understanding are always going to conflict at some point with Jesus's divine wisdom. The limits of my human understanding will only take me so far. And at some point, I must choose. Either I trust his understanding, or I trust mine. This is the human conflict.

But in taking steps of faith over many years, I have come to discover that Jesus's teachings have never let me down. Not one time. So I don't know where you're at today with some issue in your life. But I want to invite you to think about how you might handle that issue and then find out what Jesus would do. Take a leap of faith into the teachings of Jesus. Do what he says to do. And do it the way he says to do it. And I promise, regardless of whatever conflict you face, he will never let you down, and you will leave less conflicted.

ASK THIS: What do you want to do your way today?

DO THIS: Find out how Jesus would have done it. Then do it his way.

PRAY THIS: God, I know what I would do. But show me what you would have me do.

PLAY THIS: King Of My Heart.