Hope In Men
Good Morning,
We are often puffed up or, at other times, deflated by the words and actions of those around us. Young people especially need to be taught to trust in their own lives being pleasing to the Lord and not to men. We all want to be liked, and we all want to fit in and belong; but, at some point, we need to realize that the fickle humanity around us is too unstable to trust.
Notice the praise Paul and Barnabas received:
Acts 14:11 “And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.”
vs. 12 “And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.”
vs. 13 “Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people.”
At this point, we could really feel that God was working and doing great things through our lives and testimonies. It could be this way as parents, as a boss, in your Sunday school class, or on a bus route. Do not live for these moments; for they are but “moments.” Notice the events that take place a few verses later (after some critics arrive on the scene).
vs. 19 “And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.”
A god or a villain? A few minutes and an article in the morning newspaper can change everything.
This same instability was displayed by those who cried, “Hosanna.”
John 12:13 “Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.”
In the moments following this story, Jesus taught about the weakness of men and the frail hopes found in this world.
John 12:24 “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.”
vs. 25 “He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.”
vs. 26 “If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.”
vs. 27 “Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.”
Jesus came to honor God and to give His life as a ransom for all. He did not come to be crowned or to be glorified as He deserved; those days would come, but not yet.
Not long after, they cried out, “Crucify Him!”
John 19:6 “When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him.”
John 12:13 “…Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.”
OR
John 19:6 …Crucify him, crucify him.
We are the sheep of His pasture, not the academic scholars of His classroom. We are frail, ever changing, unpredictable humans who love God, yet ignore Him; we believe Him, yet doubt Him. If God’s Son was so treated, we might be wise not to place our faith in men or hope in man’s kind words and accepting ways. We can quickly move from honored to shamed in this world of double-minded men.
We are safest to do what we can do to please God and accept the fact that we are not going to meet each situation wisely or properly — we will fail. We will disappoint someone today; we may even please and displease the same person in the same hour! We simply need to go into each day seeking to please God; everyone else will have to get whatever is left.
Do not hope in men. Are they gods, or do they deserve to be killed? It is determined by what moment in time you ask them.
Pastor