The Need For Deeper Understanding

by Pastor Mark
April 13, 2023

 

A “frightening” lack of understanding

At this year’s Maundy Thursday Service, one of the striking things we learnt was the lack of understanding among the people in Jerusalem, including the disciples. The Lord Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a foal of an ass. The people sang and cried out “Hosanna” to the King of Israel. But the Apostle John candidly assessed his fellow disciples and himself, “His disciples did not understand these things at first.” (John 12:16)

Despite all that the Lord Jesus had taught, demonstrated and prepared for them to understand Him, they still did not fully comprehend. They were not the only ones. Many others, such as the crowds, the Pharisees and the Greeks who visited Jesus, did not understand Him. It is also “frightening” to realise that many of us lack understanding and assume too much about how much we know.

Further insights

  1. John gave us further insights into their lack of understanding and faith.
  2. The Lord Jesus did many signs, yet the people still did not believe (John 12:37).
  3. John referred to the words of Isaiah the prophet that they were blinded and their hearts were hardened, in fulfilment of prophecy (John 12:39,40; Isaiah 6:10).
  4. The sober reality is that we may be as blind and hardened as Isaiah prophesied.

The hour has come (John 12:23)

  1. This was a reference to the Lord Jesus’ impending death.
  2. The Lord had warned His disciples numerous times concerning His death.
  3. They did not understand His death and how it was meant to glorify God.
  4. He would be glorified by His collected, calm and unfazed approach to His death.
  5. One day, all of us will also face the hour of death.
  6. The challenge is understanding how we may glorify God even in our death.

Our struggles with death

  1. The problem is that we love our earthly life way too much (John 12:25).­­­­
    1. There is a love for the things of life…food, clothes, vacations and more.
    2. We love them so much that we are unable to accept death.
  2. The challenge is to “hate” our earthly life.
    1. The Lord sets the example of not loving the world…unattached to the things of the world.
    2. He faced death with purpose and understanding…unhindered by anything.

The Lord’s challenge for us

The Lord Jesus challenged us that if we seek to serve Him, we should follow Him fully (John 12:26). Following the Lord is not about our desires and preferences, as and when we like. The Lord’s overriding focus was to glorify God in His life, teaching, suffering and death. Our challenge is to follow Him completely with mind, heart and spirit in life, ministry and death.

Another challenge is for us to have a “fuller” understanding. Even though the Lord Jesus struggled with death, He prayed, focusing on His purpose…to glorify the name of His Father (John 12:27,28). Only the Lord Jesus completely understood what He came to do. Our challenge is to have the light of the Lord, a symbol of understanding (John 12:35,36). If we walk in the light of the Lord, we will live as sons of light. We would be enlightened to the point that we ought to purposely follow the Lord…in life, ministry and death. Let us be challenged to have a deeper and “fuller” understanding of the life and death of the Lord Jesus.

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