What is your frame of reference?
If we read parts of Mark 6 and John 7, we see a people filled with speculation! They were speculating so much among themselves – who Jesus is, where He came from and what He came to do here on earth that they missed the whole point of that which is important! They missed it, and did not accept Jesus, nor did they receive His Word!
Mark 6:2-6
And when the sabbath day was come, He began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing Him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto Him, that even such mighty works are wrought by His hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not His sisters here with us? And they were offended at Him. But Jesus, said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. And He could there do no mighty work, save that He laid His hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. And He marvelled because of their unbelief. And He went round about the villages, teaching.
The problem was that the coming Christ did not fit their frame of reference. Jesus was a carpenter, His family known to the people among them – He was not what many expected Him to be.
Let’s look to the verses in John 7 – we see yet more speculation regarding Jesus.
John 7:12
And there was much murmuring among the people concerning Him: for some said, He is a good man: others said, Nay; but He deceiveth the people.
John 7:15
And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?
John 7:25-29
Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this He, whom they seek to kill? But, lo, He speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto Him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ? Howbeit we know this man whence He is: but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence He is. Then cried Jesus in the temple as He taught, saying, Ye both know Me, and ye know whence I am: and I am not come of Myself, but He that sent Me is true, whom ye know not. But I know Him: for I am from Him, and He hath sent Me.
John 7:40-43
Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet. Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee? Hath not the Scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was? So there was a division among the people because of Him.
Jesus’ mission and what He came to teach was misunderstood and rejected by those who held high positions in the nation and by most of those who saw and heard Him.
The Jews were well-acquainted with the prophecies about the Messiah and they firmly believed that He would be a strong and glorious earthly king who would bring deliverance from their oppressors – the Romans, and thereby restore Israel once again to be a great kingdom.
The expectation of many that Jesus came to redeem Israel by means of war, was the fact that according to prophecies Jesus would be a descendant of David – a king who won many battles and delivered the nation from its enemies, thus thinking Jesus would restore the kingdom of Israel under the Davidic dynasty.
We also read in John 6:14-15 that after Jesus fed the people on the mountain He perceived that they wanted to come and take Him by force to make Him king – He fled.
Even after His death and resurrection, the disciples were somewhat still set on the idea of an earthly kingdom, asking Jesus in Acts 1:6 if whether Jesus will restore the kingdom to Israel, not yet fully comprehending the Scriptures being fulfilled.
Although Jesus clearly articulated His mission and revealed what He came to do, the misconceptions and misunderstandings on part of the people came from the fact that they understood (misunderstood) it with a predisposed idea of what they thought it to be; thought Jesus to be.
Again, the coming Christ did not fit their frame of reference.
Jesus speaks to us clearly through His Holy Spirit and clearly through His Word, but so often, or rather – most of the time, we miss it for the simple reason being it does not fit our frame of reference.
Do we find His commands too unexpected? Or is it just pure disobedience?
Are we so indoctrinated and predisposed by culture and traditions that we end up compromising our faith in Jesus, the truth He has revealed through His Word and choose rather to cling to false doctrines?
Mark 7:6-9
He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. Howbeit in vain do they worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. And He said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.
Colossians 2:6-8
As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him: Rooted and built up in Him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
If we seek after the truth, if we seek with humility and an earnest sincerity after Jesus, we will set aside anything and everything that is a hinderance to that seeking! We will lay aside every compromising doctrine, tradition and aspect of our culture that is contrary to the Word of God.
How?
Firstly, become empty of yourself – start clean and clear before the Lord. Ask Him to remove all previous teachings that are not from Him, from your heart and mind. Lay aside that which is contrary to the Word of God. If it’s not in the Word of God, it’s not of the Word of God – that includes traditions and cultural incentives.
Allow the Lord to teach and instruct you through His Word and through the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 2:12-13
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
John 14:26
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
John 16:13
Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come.
Secondly, establish the Word as your highest Authority! It’s the literal Word of God, inspired through the Holy Spirit! Therefore, measure everything against the Word. Accept in humble submission that which is of the Word and reject that which is not.
John 1:1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 Timothy 3:16
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.
Also, Jesus ought to be enthroned as King of our lives. Glorify Him through your thoughts, words and deeds as such! He is to be worshipped as the Head of the body of Christ. If in any case – doctrine or church He is not glorified and worshipped as the Head – expose the lie; in truth and in love and if they don’t want to hearken to the Word and change their ways remove yourself from their company.
If they ever come across your path again being open to the truth, use every opportunity to equip them through guidance of the Holy Spirit in the Word of God.
Colossians 1:12-18
Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him: And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence.
Ephesians 1:20-23
Which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is His body, the fulness of Him that filleth all in all.
2 Peter 2:1
But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
Fourthly, be obedient to the Holy Spirit. The Lord speaks through the Holy Spirit, most of the time we just don’t listen. Or our ears are filled with too many voices that it deafens out the voice of God. Be still before the Lord and listen – truly listen!
John 8:47
He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.
2 Timothy 4:3-4
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
Prayer and studying the Word of God is essential in building a relationship with God, without it how will we know the character of God? He reveals Himself through His Word, how else will we also be able to identify doctrines contrary to His Word and contrary to who He is, if we don’t know His Word ourselves?
Mark 1:35
And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.
2 Timothy 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Lastly, surround yourself with other believers. As the body of Christ we are to walk in unison! Surround yourself with people that will pray for you, people that will exhort and encourage you to hold fast in faith. And people who is not afraid to warn you when you are walking contrary to the truth!
1 Corinthians 12:25-27
That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
That being said, it doesn’t mean to remove ourselves from society. We are to equip others in the truth and teach and show them the ways of the Lord! (Matthew 28:18-20)
To conclude, all of this will mean nothing if you don’t approach it with a sincere willingness and an earnest heart to know and love Jesus, and to know His truth – if you are set in your ways and filled with pride, you won’t change and just like the Scriptures in Mark 6 and John 7 – you will remain a people ever speculating instead of having the blessing and privilege of being in a personal relationship with our Saviour and receive the gift of His salvation!
What is your frame of reference?
Let your answer in every instance be filled with faith – the Word of God!
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