THEY DID NOT UNDERSTAND HIS MISSION
When Jesus started his earthly ministry, Israel had been under Roman dictatorship for approximately 90 years, and they were ready for it to end. So when Jesus, from the promised lineage of David, appeared teaching, healing, performing miracles, and preaching the message that the kingdom of God is at hand, people assumed He was the person the Old Testament prophets declared would be their King. They thought Jesus came to deliver them from the tyranny of Rome.
Yes, Jesus would ultimately be their King, but his birth, three-year ministry on earth, death, and resurrection had a different purpose. The purpose was reconciliation of a lost people back to God.
Even his forerunner, John the Baptist, who in Bethabara declared to the people at the start of Jesus’ earthly ministry, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God,” did not understand. This is seen when John, who was in prison, sent two of his followers to Jesus to ask, “Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?” John, too, was looking for a Messiah who would deliver Israel from Roman rule. (John 1:29-30, 34)
John 6 revealed the multitude wanted to take Jesus by force and make Him King after He fed five thousand men with five barley loaves and two small fishes. They did not understand His purpose was to feed them not only what is natural, but, more importantly, to fill them with the living bread.
John 7:5 reveals Jesus’ siblings did not believe in Him. They lived with Him all their lives, knew His character, and I would hope His mom shared with them about His divine birth, yet they rejected His ministry.
Despite His years of teaching about His purpose, His chosen disciples did not understand that Jesus came to serve and save, and that His kingdom was not of this world. In His last meeting with His disciples before His ascension, the question they asked Him was, “Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” Thankfully, they came to understand His teachings after His ascension, and they boldly declared to the world what they had come to understand.
With the Word and the Holy Spirit in me, I am happy to report that I understand Jesus’s ministry, and I pray you do also, for we are living in a time when the rapture can happen at any time. If you lack understanding, pray for it, and God will respond and provide the wisdom and direction you need so you can actively participate in all that Jesus’s mission offers.
