No one could figure Him out.

Born in a shelter for animals to parents who were outcast, who would have thought He had greatness in Him? God had already shown them not to look at appearances when He chose a lowly shepherd boy to be Israel’s greatest king and ancestor to the King of kings, but the lesson was lost on them many times. We suffer from the same short-sightedness.

Those in His hometown asked, “Isn’t this Jesus, the son of Joseph? We know his father and mother. How can he say, ‘I came down from heaven’?” John 6:42

They liked it when He fed and healed them. But He refused to be the kind of king they perceived. They had their agenda, which was all about them. Jesus couldn’t be bought or coerced. His agenda was all about “God with us” — which meant a cross, not a crown. Who would choose that?! (Again, we have the same penchant for trying to re-make God into what we think He should be, and will miss Who He really is, if we continue down that road.)

He gave up everything for those He came to save, and made it clear He requires any who want to be identified with Him to give up all they have. In the kingdom of heaven, the kings are servants and the lowly are lifted up. The pure and holy take up the cross, and sinners are extended grace.

No wonder they couldn’t figure Him out — who does that??

WORDPRESS.COM.