Fickle People
I find it interesting how quickly people will change from being totally with you to turning their back on you. I’ve had it happen to me and you have it to happen to you as well. We shouldn’t be surprised, Jesus dealt with fickle people. Jesus talked about wolves being in sheep clothing. It is a benefit as a believer that we can discern what spirit a person is of. First, we are going to see how the people celebrate Jesus because of a miraculous manifestation. Secondly, the same crowd have a total attitude change, when Jesus goes to a home where they believe the owner isn’t worthy to have Jesus and they begin to turn on Jesus because he goes to that unworthy home. People will love you at one point and in no time at all they show a displeasure with you. I have had people who were “dear” friends when I could benefit them, but when I no longer could help them, they don’t answer their phone, return an e-mail or answer in any form of communication. Sometimes that can be a blessing. Let’s look in the Word to see how people were with Jesus. Look first at Luke 18:35.
35 And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging: 36 And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant. 37 And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by. 38 And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me. 39 And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me. 40 And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him, 41 Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight. 42 And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee. 43 And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.
As we all have been taught, the focus is on the crowd attempting to get the blind man to discontinue his calling out to Jesus. The blind man called out to Jesus much louder than he already was calling because he had a greater desire for a change than the crowd did. When the man received his sight and the people became aware of it, they began praising God for the miracle. Notice that the people were following Jesus because of the miracles he was performing. Even with the chapter division being here, you will notice Jesus remains in Jericho. The same crowd of people is involved as we enter into the Chapter 19. Let’s notice the change as we begin Chapter 19.
1 And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. 2 And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. 3 And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. 4 And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. 6 And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. 8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. 9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Notice that now the same people turned on Him because he went into the house of a tax collector. Because of Jesus visiting the tax collectors house, the hated tax collector was willing to restore what he had taken wrongly. Understand everything can change when Jesus is allowed to change you. The people were focused on what he was, Jesus pointed out what he became. Jesus pointed out that deliverance and a change of direction in his life that had taken place. Don't allow what you have known about someone stop you from believing a change has taken place. Wait for the fruit in their life to be shown to everyone. Let Jesus be exalted when the change is seen. Don’t be fickle and look for the bad aspects of someone’s life. Be stable and watch for the change Jesus can do in a persons life.
35 And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging: 36 And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant. 37 And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by. 38 And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me. 39 And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me. 40 And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him, 41 Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight. 42 And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee. 43 And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.
As we all have been taught, the focus is on the crowd attempting to get the blind man to discontinue his calling out to Jesus. The blind man called out to Jesus much louder than he already was calling because he had a greater desire for a change than the crowd did. When the man received his sight and the people became aware of it, they began praising God for the miracle. Notice that the people were following Jesus because of the miracles he was performing. Even with the chapter division being here, you will notice Jesus remains in Jericho. The same crowd of people is involved as we enter into the Chapter 19. Let’s notice the change as we begin Chapter 19.
1 And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. 2 And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. 3 And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. 4 And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. 6 And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. 8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. 9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Notice that now the same people turned on Him because he went into the house of a tax collector. Because of Jesus visiting the tax collectors house, the hated tax collector was willing to restore what he had taken wrongly. Understand everything can change when Jesus is allowed to change you. The people were focused on what he was, Jesus pointed out what he became. Jesus pointed out that deliverance and a change of direction in his life that had taken place. Don't allow what you have known about someone stop you from believing a change has taken place. Wait for the fruit in their life to be shown to everyone. Let Jesus be exalted when the change is seen. Don’t be fickle and look for the bad aspects of someone’s life. Be stable and watch for the change Jesus can do in a persons life.
Comments
Post a Comment