when someone we know does something truly amazing, it can be kind of hard to come to grips with. sometimes we wonder if they really did all those things they said they did, went to those places, or if they had some other system figured out just for getting attention. are they really living that life because they like it, of because people keep asking to see pictures and hear stories? what is their motivation? what are they up to? are we just jealous?

Jesus had trouble with this kind of attitude, among others, that were brought by people who didn’t or wouldn’t believe He was who He obviously was…something was holding the back from believing. maybe it was their own, deep seeded trust issues. maybe they were used to pulling the wool over on other people’s eyes, so they couldn’t possibly imagine someone actually living the life that Jesus did. maybe it was all too much for them to comprehend, so they wrote Him off through some line of faulty thought.

even then, when they came back over and over again to hear what He had to say, and to see the miracles He did, what was their motivation? something inside them told them that He was worth being around…that He was someone that they needed to keep their eye on, even if they didn’t know why.

even if He was the kid from across the street, He was now something, someone more. they knew He was different growing up. He never got in trouble like they did. He always had the right answers, and always seemed to genuinely care about everyone. but now, as an adult, it was harder to accept those thoughts they had as a kid about Him. their sense of wonder with the world, and God, had been tainted by cynicism and calloused by life. and so now, as they see this absolutely amazing man, they don’t know what to do with Him anymore. and in the face of the unknown, or uncomfortable, most people get defensive, and fight back.

and so, even though Jesus hasn’t changed…even though He still genuinely cares for people, wears His intentions out on His sleeve, just like He did as a kid, they can’t cope with Him. they can’t handle Him. because something about Him just points out how much they’ve fallen, how much they’ve changed. how much life has brought them down, and off track. and so it’s easier to bad mouth Him than to see what needs to be fixed in their own life. it’s easier to look at someone else and nit-pick, rather than look at themselves, and see just how dark their hearts have become, how far off base they are…because that really is painful.

so, “who does He think He is?’ pops up a lot. usually followed by, “Him? He’s just that carpenter’s son…He’s nothing new…nobody special.”

because if they can justify themselves and their attitudes, then they don’t have to change. and in their own minds, there’s nothing wrong with who they are…they haven’t messed up.

it’s never fun to look into our own hearts, our own lives and see our failures.our massive, massive failures. we don’t like negative press or confrontations with others, and we’re really good at avoiding it with ourselves as well. we can keep everyone at bay, and even avoid self evaluation if we point our fingers at others enough.

so, it still comes down to who we really think Jesus is…and from there, do we trust Him to be who He is? because if we do, then we have to change who we are – today. there is responsibility we must take…confessions to give. wrongs to undo…

but He’ll still do it all with us. ’cause that’s just who He is…

Father forgive my arrogance. help me to live like Jesus.

Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.

Spirit, have mercy.

amen.