Thought: Guilty by Association
Text: John 12:39-46
Vss 42-44 Isaiah said these things
because he saw his glory and spoke of him.
Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear
of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of
the synagogue; for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory
that comes from God. And Jesus cried out
and said, “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent
me. And whoever sees me sees him who
sent me. I have come into the world as
light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.”
There are many people in prison and
jail today because they were so close to the crime committed that the investigators
could not determine whether they helped commit the crime or they were there
just looking on and got caught up on the mix.
They were accused of guilty by association.
Discussion: This information from John helps us to know the attitude of many who heard Jesus and were torn because of their associations. They believed in Jesus but could not bring themselves to admit it before people because they would lose their statues among the authorities. They were afraid to lose what they enjoyed most of all. Jesus affirmed this information
8 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated
you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but
because you are not of the world, but chose you out of the
world, therefore the world hates you. 20Remember the word that said to you: ‘A servant
is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me they will persecute you. If they
kept my word, they will keep yours. 21But all these things they will do to you on
account of my name because they do not know him who sent me. John 15:18-21
They would not
admit how clear Jesus’ teachings sounded but held on to their comfortable
places in life so as not to ‘rock the boat’.
Now that
we have celebrated the resurrection of Jesus, it is time to ask. What is my part from here on? Many people love Easter and the celebration
of life from the dead of Jesus which proves that He is the Son of God. But are we now willing to prove by our
actions and words that we believe that He really rose up from the grave and has
our allegiance. The story of Jesus
crucifixion is the greatest story ever told by the Bible; the innocent son of
man and man of God who did and said so much good, crucified by evil and wicked
forces now comes back from the dead. Now
that’s a great end to a catastrophe. But
why do you like it?
Jesus confirmed
the fears of the rulers who believed in him by telling them that they would
lose their status even after he was gone, if they associated themselves with
Him. Are you willing to take that
risk?
God gave
us the most powerful story we have ever heard, one that we probably would not
think to make up so that we would have the confirmation of His hand upon Jesus
and that we would live after the lessons and life of Jesus.
Empowerment: There are many great things
that we can go after in our life pursuits but there is one pursuit that must
take priority over all and that is association with Jesus Christ as He is
presented in scripture. The testimony
of Jesus is the true account that we must test for ourselves and believe in our
hearts so that we can reveal the Kingdom of God in the Earth.
Acts 17:30 “ The times of ignorance God
overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has
fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he
has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from
the dead.”
This is a great post. Thanks for sharing!
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