John 7:1-13
Unable to convince
Jesus to travel to the religious festival in Judea, His brothers went without
Him. Jesus followed them in secret, wanting to avoid the crowds that were
expecting to find Him there. The crowd was divided between those who saw Jesus
as a good man and those who considered Him a fraud. Regardless of their
opinion, they were all afraid to mention Jesus in front of the Jewish leaders.
These religious officials had become so paranoid and were filled with so much
hatred for Jesus that everyone recognized it was better not to be heard
discussing this Galilean troublemaker. This culture of intolerance continued to
the point that the religious leaders decided that anyone who acknowledged Jesus
as Messiah was to be put out of the synagogue (John 9:22).
Intolerance for
the name of Jesus is nothing new. While some point to current examples of
persecution as signs of the end times, many recognize that persecution has been
a part of the Christian experience from the very beginning of Jesus' earthly
life. It started in Bethlehem when Herod murdered hundreds of innocent babies
in an effort to eradicate that name. Even today, in a culture where the only
thing not tolerated is intolerance, the name of Jesus may be the only exception
to that rule. Societal pressures, like those felt at the festival in Judea,
silence not only many Christians but those who might be interested in an open
and honest conversation about the claims of Christianity. We live in a culture
of faux tolerance and soft persecution. This lethal combination seems just
benign enough to escape recognition, but potent enough to keep the name of
Jesus from being said too loud in certain settings.
Perhaps it is
only in the face of open persecution that we see the tremendous opportunity we
are missing in America. I met Abel through some mutual friends in Addis Ababa,
Ethiopia. He was born and raised in the city and would serve as our tour guide
for the day. His eyes were bright with excitement as he enthusiastically told
us about his city and nation. Along the way I asked about his family and Abel
graciously answered my questions. I learned he was a Christian, but his family
was not and this had created a fair amount of relational tension. Like other
young men his age, Abel was unemployed. He had an opportunity to get a good job
in a supermarket if he could just get through the interview. When I asked him
if the interview would be a problem, he smiled and said, "Not if they
don't mind hearing about Jesus. I never fail to tell them I am a Christian.
Most will not hire me because of that, but I am thankful I get to tell them
about Him even if they don't hire me."
I was not sure
if I was more stunned by Abel's boldness or embarrassed by my lack of it. He
lives in a country openly hostile to the gospel, yet proclaims it boldly, while
I live in a country thought to be a "Christian nation," but allow
myself to be silenced in the name of political correctness.
The need to be
"politically correct" is what silenced the crowd in Judea. Jesus was
not the politically correct topic then or now. But remember: just because
people aren't talking about Him doesn't mean they don't have questions they're
simply too afraid to ask. Political correctness silences the seeker and the
saint alike. That is all the more reason why Christians should boldly engage in
spiritual conversations that point to Christ. Many in the crowd have questions
but are too afraid to ask. Christians everywhere, like my friend Abel, should
boldly mention the name of Jesus. You might be surprised who has been waiting for
someone to bring it up.
Dear God,
Forgive me for allowing fear to silence me. Put me in the right place with others
who are seeking answers
about Jesus. Make me bold as I tell them all the things Christ has done for me.
Give me the faith to believe that the power of Your Name is enough to change
even the hearts of stone.
Amen
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