Jesus doesn't want everybody
This is one of those, admittedly, rare moments in Jesus life where we see Him being SELECTIVE. We’re so used to seeing Him as all embracing, all accepting that when you read this verse it just doesn’t sit well with you. I mean you’re thinking is this some kind of error, some later addition ‘cause it doesn’t fit the portrait of Jesus. But the very fact we do struggle shows us we don’t have the right portrait. These words force us to make changes. Yes, you can say no to people and you can be like Jesus!
Now this is no free ticket to right off someone you don’t like (or you don’t ‘want’ to use this verse word) because the context (the immediate one and the larger New Testament one) prohibits you from doing that. But just as well this does not allow you either to be accepting REGARDLESS of the situation. There are times and circumstances under which is not just OK to say NO to people, but you MUST say no. It’s for your and their own good. This is a reality we all have to come to grips with.
Created about 4 years ago
