Rejection of the Messiah

(One Perfect Life Chapters 148-152) In this portion of the Gospel we see the rejection of the Jewish religious officials of their Messiah, Jesus. We also see indications of the punishment that will come for that rejection and the offering of salvation to all people and not just the Jews. As Paul said, salvation was to the Jews first but then also to the gentiles (Romans 1:16).

In John 12:37-50 Jesus establishes that His words are not His own but those given Him by the Father to speak. He does not represent Himself but the Father that sent Him. Therefore, by rejecting Him the leaders were really rejecting Yehovah whom they claimed to be serving. He warns them they are living out the spiritual blindness foretold in Isaiah 6:10. The political pressure to not follow Jesus was immense and many who privately believed in Him were afraid to profess it because they would be put out of the synagogue – the center of religious and cultural life. Cancel culture is nothing new.

During the Passion Week the religious leaders would try to trap Jesus into saying things that would alienate Him from the people or get Him in trouble with the Roman authorities. They fail in their every attempt. Jesus always turned the tables on them because of His knowledge of scripture and of the darkness of their hearts.

At the same time Greek converts came seeking Jesus out. They did not have the same cultural affiliations to Judaism that the native-born Jews had. Therefore they were more open minded. Jesus tells them He must die, like a grain of wheat is planted, in order to bear fruit. He invites them to likewise give their full devotion and lives to His purposes (John12:20-26).

Jesus the gives several illustrations to show how those who reject Him will be punished and how salvation will be extended to all people. In Mark 11:12-14, 20-21 Jesus encounters a fig tree that is not bearing any fruit. He curses it and it whithers. This is a symbol of the Judgement to come on Israel for their rejection.

Jesus speaks of two sons (Matthew 21:28-32). The father commands His sons to work in His vineyard. The first refuses and then repents and goes to work – He does the will of the father. The other says they will obey but never follows through. Jesus likens the Jewish people to the second son. The gentiles who have rejected Yehovah will now repent and come to believe.

In the parable of the landowner (Matthew 21: 33-46) we see the history of God’s interactions with Israel – sending them servants and then His son. They reject the Father and kill the servants and Son. In the parable of the wedding invitation (Matthew 22:1-14) we see the rejection of the invitation by the invited guests (the Jews) but incomplete response on the part of gentile world – failure to wear the wedding garments.

We should pray that all, Jews and gentiles, will believe in the one that saves them.