Why would anyone reject Jesus?
To either refuse to learn of Him, or after learning of Him say... "He's not for me."
Jesus is the King who stepped down from His throne and washed dirty feet.
Jesus is the One who offers His righteousness and assumes our guilt.
What is it that Jesus explained which caused so many, then (John 6:66) and future (2 Thessalonians 2:3), to utterly REJECT Him?
What provoked the crowd to change "Hosanna!" into "Crucify Him!"?
What is this impediment which people say, "This far and NO further"?
What is it that people are unwilling to give up?
Contemplate on your most valuable possession, what you would give anything to keep.
Some might say a rare gemstone, priceless antique, or vintage automobile.
Some might say "my family", that you would give all that you had for your spouse or children.
Some might say "life" itself (health); it is said that the young will sacrifice some health for wealth, but when older, they will sacrifice all their wealth for health.
Yet we see people pawn family heirlooms for a fraction of their value.
Yet we see parents abandoning their families to begin again with a new flame.
And we even see people end their own lives (forsaking all... life, family, and possessions).
What is the most valuable treasure that everyone desperately pursues and clings to...
HAPPINESS.
Without happiness... a 10 carat flawless diamond is just a rock.
Without happiness... a family is just a responsibility and drain.
Without happiness... life is merely a chore and struggle.
Think about the Declaration of Independence...
"Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness."
These are called Unalienable Rights.
That if you are alive (life), and if you have a choice (liberty), you will live for (pursue)... Happiness.
Now consider how the WORLD, our FLESH, and the ENEMY use this concept of "happiness" against us.
"You deserve..." (appealing to what would make you happier)
"Just do it..." (appealing to what would make you happier)
"The grass is greener..." (it's happier over there)
DEBT: I'll be happier, so just borrow the money.
DIVORCE: I'll be happier with another person.
ABORTION: I can't be happy raising a baby.
ENVY: You have what would make me happier.
SUICIDE: I can't be happy.
Pursuing happiness is like a dog chasing its tail... It's a MIRAGE.
From the way i need to look, to who i need to be with, from my home being newer or bigger to my vacations being longer or fabulous, from that fancy new vehicle to that iPhone 66Mega...
ALL in the pursuit of being HAPPIER.
But what did Jesus do with His "Unalienable Rights"?
LIFE: "Greater love has no man than this, to lay down his life for his friends." - John 15:13
LIBERTY: "I seek not my own will, but the will of him who sent me." - John 5:30
PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS: "A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief." - Isaiah 53:3
When Jesus explained to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, suffer many things, be killed, and on the third day be raised... Peter took Him aside and said, "May these things never happen to You, Lord!"
Then Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind Me satan! You are a hinderance to Me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man." - Mark 8:31-33
Mankind receives the things of God and loves SELF...
Mankind pursues happiness for me, my, and mine.
Christ received the things of God and loved OTHERS, displaying pure undefiled love, FOR THEM.
The crowds came to Jesus all expecting to be made happier. Some wanted healed, some wanted family restored, some wanted to be entertained by amazing acts, some wanted a free meal... But Jesus taught of a NEW WAY, the Kingdom way.
Then Jesus said, "If anyone desires to be with Me, they must deny themselves, live sacrificially, and follow His pattern of living daily." - Luke 9:23
And Jesus explained, "I am the vine, you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing." - John 15:5
UNALIENABLE means unable to be taken away or to be given up.
Jesus did not come to bring us unalienable rights, so that we can pursue happiness.
Jesus brought us unalienable love, so that we can seek first His kingdom.
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?" - Romans 8:35
Jesus taught, modeled, and called His own to live a different life... pursuing JOY.
"Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, Who for the JOY that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." - Hebrews 12:2
"But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these things be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs." - 1 Timothy 6:6-10
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