The Crowd Around Jesus – Part 2

 

John 12:16-18 His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written about Him and that they had done these things to Him. Therefore the people, who were with Him when He called Lazarus out of his tomb and raised him from the dead, bore witness. For this reason the people also met Him, because they heard that He had done this sign. 

Continuing with Pastor Obie’s message, he explained that there is denotative “literal” definition of a word and there is also the connotative “cultural” definition of a word. The word “Christian” is literally defined in the 1828 Noah Webster’s dictionary as “a real disciple of Christ; one who believes in the truth of the Christian religion, and studies to follow the example, and obey the precepts, of Christ; a believer in Christ who is characterized by real piety.” On the other side of obedience is God’s faithfulness. Per the Strong’s Dictionary of Bible Words, the Greek word “Christianos”, meaning Christian, translates to “follower of Christ”. But, the cultural definition of a Christian (right or wrong) differs depending on society and can change. Hence, people can call themselves a Christian without living out the literal definition of the word.

Matthew 13:3-7 ““Behold, a Sower went out to sow.  And as he sowed, some seed ... some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them.”

The second type of person in the crowd was the “Firecracker” or “Casual” Christian. They have a genuine experience of “born again” saving faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, but fades with time as  they get used to their Christian life and rituals to the point of just going through the motions daily. They have an amazing start with a “hilltop experience” in Christ, to follow Him by faith and share the “Good News” of the gospel of salvation discovered, believed and pursue, but have gone back to their old habits and set Jesus in the backseat as they were not deep rooted. This happens because they are trend, event and experience oriented. As the newness wears off and the distractions of the trials of life take place over time, they partially back out of their dedication, devotion and desire, leaving their first love, because they become lukewarm with a compartmentalized faith. Jesus said in Revelation 2:2-4, “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.”

Let’s conclude Pastor Obie’s message on the people in the crowd around Jesus at the Triumphal  Entry into Jerusalem in the next post.