Jesus, a man approved by God with signs and wonders but with a humble beginning. Circumstances surrounding His birth were controversial and this made the people and the spiritual leaders in His days to disbelieve Him. They would have probably believed Him as their Messiah if He had been born into a royal family, or come in a big and magnificent way that will make everyone to know that indeed their king has arrived. They never expected their Messiah to be born in a manger. They never also expected that He would be born by insignificant parents. His parents were common, unpopular and unrecognized people (His mother-an ordinary young woman in Israel, and His supposed father was a mere carpenter). They didn't know the paradox of life that "the way up is the way down." They doubted and disagree with His Messiahship. They wouldn't have thought that the King of kings and the Lord of lords will come from such a background. Their high mindedness would never allow them to approve of Him.
Besides, because His descent was know to the Jews (Matthew 13:55-56, John 6:42), He was never accorded any regard due Him as King, Lord and Messiah, neither was He respected, honored, or revered by the chief priests and the rulers. But His followers and multitude whenever they see the miracles He performed wondered and glorified God (Matthew 9:8, 8:27). Even His triumphant entry into Jerusalem was hailed by children, women and the common people in the land (Matthew 21:15). According to verse 15, the chief priests and scribes were indignant, so, we can easily conclude that these indignant folks were not among those shouting and jubilating. For Jesus to call Himself the son of God and claim to come from heaven worsen the situation. He became a target of constant attack and opposition. They resisted Him, spoke harshly against Him and threw stone at Him, and many times, He just walked away in their midst (John 5:18, 7:1, 8:59, 10:31, 10:39). Elijah, on the other hand was a man also with no acclaimed descent who just surfaced and shook the whole land of Israel. His introduction was very interesting as the bible records it in 1 King chapter 17 verse 1, "And Elijah the Tishbite, of the inhabitant of Gilead, said to Ahab, "As the LORD God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall be no rain these years except at my word," That was all that was know about him, Elijah the Tishbite, of the inhabitant of Gilead. Everything was okay with him as much as his title was just a prophet or a servant of God. If Jesus had called himself a prophet like Elijah there wouldn't have been any problem. But for Him to call himself the Son of God, Ah! Son of God, how dare you call yourself son of God and even claim to have been before Abraham, no wonder they derided Him and wanted to stone Him (John 8:56-59). Unfortunately, these ignorant people never take out time to pray the prayer of Job in Job chapter 6 verse24.
The contention continued until the time of His death. During His crucifixion, they mocked Him and insisted that the label with and inscription that He was the king of the Jews should be removed. So, they told Pilate that He (Jesus) said that He was the king of the Jews, this they said because they didn't acknowledge Him as their king. In John chapter 19 verse 21, "Therefore the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, Do not write, The King of the Jews, but, "He said. "I am the King of the Jews." Yet, this same Jesus is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Jesus would not dispute with them about His title because He knew who He was. But in Acts 2:36, on the day of Pentecost, Peter under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, drunk but not with wine but really intoxicated (full of the Spirit) declared to them what the Jews, the chief priests and other sects wouldn't want to hear. " Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified both Lord and Christ." At another time, he told them that though they have acted foolishly and ignorantly by killing Jesus, now they need to repent (Act 3:17 &19). He reiterated it again in the midst of the councils of the elders in Act 4:10-12. There was a manifest glory that compelled even the disciples to believe on their master (John 2:11, Matthew 17:1-3). We are not talking of abstract but reality as John the beloved remarked in I John 1:1, 3, they saw, they heard and they believed. Divine approval doesn't manifest ins signs and wonders alone but in unction and utterance.
Yet, He instructed His followers not to reveal His true identity (Matthew 17:8-9). He never saw Himself special but He was truly humble. God became man, Jesus, found in the likeness of man, yet, so humble and meek (Philippians 2:5-11). He taught His disciples humility (Matthew 20:26-27) again and again (Matthew 23:11). His way of life was characterized by exceptional humility. After healing people, He will instruct them to tell no one (Luke 5:14). The man Jesus, our Savior, Lord and Master cannot be identified and recognized among His disciples because they all looked alike. in fact, it will take a kiss from Judas Iscariot to reveal and differentiate Him from the rest of His disciples. The scripture in Acts of the Apostles chapter I verse16b says.......Judas became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. This is indeed a great challenge to the followers of Jesus who were in no way similar to their leader. It will be utterly inconsistent for us as Christians (little Christ) to live unlike our master and Lord. No wonder Paul the Apostle in his letter to the Romans exhorted them to be humble (Romans 12:16).
Although there are few exceptional cases when Jesus acted in rage. Whenever He wanted to challenge the Pharisees, scribes, rulers and the elders of their evil practises, the humble Lamb of God now a fierce Lion, bold and un-daunting. And that's why He is both the Lion and the Lamb. They wondered that though He was not learned but He talked with much authority and power (Luke 4:22, 32, Matthew 7:28-29). The man Jesus, He rebuked evil doers (Luke 11:39-49, Matthew 23:1-33). He was zealous for the things of God (John 2:14-17, Matthew 21: 12-14). Note that in Matthew chapter 21 verses 14-17 three remarkable things happened. Firstly, after the riddance of the money changers and all those who were selling in the temple, the blind and the lame came to Jesus inside the temple and they received their healing. The spiritually blind and lame will not be healed until the temple (church) is cleansed (purged). Secondly, the children were so excited and thrilled by all that was happening in the temple to the extent that they were crying "Hosanna to the Son of David" and lastly the chief priests and the scribes were indignant. Evidently, they were not part of the congregation that celebrated Jesus because they were really angry, furious and annoyed at everything that happened. In fact, they hated what they were seeing and hearing.
The man Jesus, He is an embodiment of God's glory and wisdom. He is wisdom personified. No wonder He passionately desires that we seek wisdom. Jesus, the wisdom of God never dwell with folly because the way of folly is pride and arrogance but His habitation is with prudence (Proverbs 8:12). Our perfect example, Jesus, detests pride, it is an evil way (verse 13), and it is against the way of wisdom. But wisdom takes delight in knowledge and He is filled with discretion. Counsel and sound wisdom is of Him. Jesus, the wisdom of God said, "By me kings reign, And rulers decree justice. By me princes rule, and nobles, All the judges of the earth" (Proverbs 8:15-16). He delights only in those who diligently seek him and He fills the treasure of those who love Him (verses 17&21). He would love those who love Him because love is reciprocal. It's what you give that you'll get. Those who ever made it are covenant keepers and God seekers. True riches, honor and righteousness that cannot be equated with anything are with Him. He says, "My fruit (fruit of wisdom) is better than gold, yea, than fine gold (of this world) And my revenue than choice silver" (verse19). Despite all that Jesus (the wisdom of God) has and wants to offer, yet, many are already on the high mountain (high places of this world) negotiating and bargaining with Satan their eternity in exchange for the vanities of this world!
That's why the psalmist boldly say in Psalms 16 verses 5-6, "O LORD, you are the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You maintain my lot. The lines are fallen to me in pleasant places: I have a good inheritance." Acknowledging the faithfulness of God towards those who love, fear and seek Him, the psalmist also says, "He will choose our inheritance for us, the excellence of Jacob whom He loves" (Psalm 47:4). There is need for fresh revelation of the man Jesus like never before because there is a (veil) blanket cast upon the face of the earth by the devil. And with sincerity we need to pray that Jesus will open our understanding that we may comprehend the scriptures as Jesus opened the understanding of the disciples in Luke chapter 24 verse45. Paul warned believers of the heresies going on. In Colossians chapter 2 verse 8, "Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ." No one claims to know God without knowing Jesus. Jesus declared, no one comes to the father except by me. In John 12:46, Jesus said, "I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness." Therefore, no one has any excuse for walking in darkness.
