A life of faith in Jesus faces also the flipside of turning away from Jesus.
Becoming familiar with something can mean missing things. Whether walking to school, driving to work, or other everyday patterns and rhythms, the result is that we go on autopilot. Sometimes in how we go places or do things or even what we notice.
It is easy to pass over things that are familiar. And this common phenomenon can happen with Bible study or Scripture too.
Recently this happened in a fresh way for me with one of Jesus’ stories. While meeting at a coffee shop, the experience came out of a discipling/mentor relationship with a young man as we looked at John 8.
An observation from that experience is that one of the primary ways not to miss things is in slowing down. That’s what happened for me. The chapter’s length, all of it being one story, and the mix of events/story and teaching helped me slow down a bit. Various observations, questions, and conversations came up.
And one of them stuck with me and has been a good personal reflection lately.
Turning Away Doesn’t Always Start Where You Think
John 8 begins with all the people coming to Jesus.
Yes, all! It sounds like an exciting time to me!
About midway through the story, from this “all” comes a group that chose to respond to his teaching. They believe him.
Now, this is where the familiar gave way to something fresh. At this point, Jesus begins speaking with them (verse 31). But he is not speaking with the arguers but those who are beginning a new direction with him.
And the “who” becomes critical as we move along.
As he continues interacting with them — and not unusual with him — Jesus speaks in ways that challenge their norms. Their “usual”. Their familiar. He is shaking them from their everyday life “velocitization” and helping them find something that’s been lost.
Not to drive them away but to lead into freedom and life.
But they resist.
One Reason Why We Resist Jesus’ Teaching?
Resisting, however subtle, comes from something. And when it shows up in our spiritual lives, it is especially worth digging down and exploring it. Letting the Holy Spirit search us. Our greatest moments of growth and Christiformity come out of it.
So what was it for them?
We find their struggle is in wanting to stay with their previous, familiar identities (v. 39). And this time starts to create waves of change that occur in life.
Resisting, however subtle, comes from something. And when it shows up in our spiritual lives, it is especially worth digging down and exploring it. Letting the Holy Spirit search us. Our greatest moments of growth and Christiformity come out of it.
As this interaction continues, the struggle and tension builds. And what was previously only waves begin to get choppier.
Now, it can be easy for me to judge them harshly. “You have Jesus right in front of you.” “Can’t you see your resistance?”
But before I judge them too harshly, I am reminded how that tension occurs in my life.
Maybe yours too. Areas such as:
- Who we are.
- Who we were.
- Who we are going to be (or the potential of what we think we’re going to be).
This role of our identity has both a topic (where) and a time (when) complexity. It can be from various topics or themes such as our job, family, religion, nationality, etc. But it ALSO can be from various times in our life. The “when” is not nearly as important as the “where”.
With this group, we see it is tied to their faith but tied to a particular time historically. They are seeking to be faithful.
So the story moves towards its conclusion (v. 59). As the story winds up, “they” express their turning away from Jesus in picking up stones to throw at him.
Who Wants to Throw the Stones?!
But note who this “they” is. It is the believers who are throwing stones.
It has progressed from all being taught — to some believing — to at least some of those believing being part of the stone throwers in their turning away from Jesus.
Now, I like to think I wouldn’t be that person. But it is good to be real. I actually think my faith is better for a humble reflection that I could be in such a place, although walking with hope that there can be “good” expectations without cynicism. Our temptations often come unexpectedly.
It causes me to pause and consider what my responses are. Where is my identity tied in any given time?
Stepping Away from the Stones
It is good to let this John 8 passage speak to us. Take a moment to read it for yourself. In rooting our identity in Jesus himself, join me in renewing a life in Christ.
- Humbling: Begin by humbling and realizing this could be you.
- Identity: Now explore where they were challenged: Where is my identity right now?
- Who I’ve been?
- Who I am now (in Christ)?
- Who I can become through a life with Jesus?
- Pressure Point: What is one area of Jesus’ teaching “upsetting” to you right now? It may be subtle but you push against them. What is it for you?
- Your Decision: Will you refresh your steps toward an identity in the life of Jesus over anything else (your job, friendships, parent or grandparent status, financial or social influence)?
- Acknowledge this, taking an opportunity to confess. Pause, realize, and receive the forgiveness of a God.
- Is there a way to take a step of obedience in that difficult area you’ve been pressing against? Maybe just a small one but one where you can step toward Jesus.
The good news is that as we turn toward Jesus there is forgiveness and renewal and the Holy Spirit blows in afresh into our identities.
But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. – 1 Corinthians 15:10
How do you stay turned toward Jesus?
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