This is the third
attempt of the Jews to stone JESUS (cf.
John 5:18; 8:59). The issue for these religionists
was not what HE did, but Who HE was.
"The Jews answered HIM, saying, for a
good work we stone THEE not; but for blasphemy; and because that
THOU, being a man, makest THYSELF GOD." Twenty centuries have not altered sinful man's sentiment toward
CHRIST. The fallen have left no stone unturned in the
futile effort to explain away GOD, and still to this day, they
walk about with one in
each hand. The masses of creation are willing to
acknowledge HIM as teacher, moral leader, miracle worker, even
the founder of a great religious system, but not the FOUNDER of all that is.
"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." Truth is, JESUS ruins
the average regarding religion and the religious. Unwelcome
competition is the real issue and will continue to be; and
perhaps most astounding, even through the millennium, when HE is
again present and seated upon HIS rightful throne in Jerusalem. From Adam to us, men have insisted on being both god and godless
... arrogantly denying the ONE Who took to give.
"WHO, being in the form of GOD, thought
it not robbery to be equal with GOD: But made HIMSELF of no
reputation, and took upon HIM the form of a servant, and was
made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a
man, he humbled HIMSELF, and became obedient unto death, even
the death of the cross."
Whom do you reckon
JESUS to be? "When JESUS came into the coasts of
Caesarea Philippi, he asked HIS disciples, saying, Whom do men
say that I the SON OF MAN am? And they said, some say that
THOU art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or
one of the prophets. HE saith unto them, But whom say ye
that I am?" Every human ever created will
ultimately ascribe HIM as BEGOTTEN or blasphemer ... man or
MAKER! Those determined to ride the fence into eternity
will discover too late that it takes a sharp left at death and
concludes in the open range of Hell ... yea, even the hordes of religious with their hands
still full of
rocks.
Are you sincerely
religious, yet void of a relationship with the living GOD, JESUS
CHRIST? Heaven is just a stone's throw away ... that is,
if you'll toss it in the right direction.
"And whosoever shall fall on this STONE
shall be broken: but on whomsoever IT shall fall, IT will grind
him to powder."