Jump Start # 743

Luke 19:7 When they saw it, they all began to grumble, saying, “He has gone to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.”

This week our Jump Starts are taking a close look at who heard Jesus. We are looking at who was in the audience, who made up the multitudes that heard Jesus speak. So far, we have noticed that the audience was made up of “bad” people, and “problem” people. Another group that was in the audience was the critics.

The critics of Jesus often ask misleading questions to trick and trap Jesus. They demand proof of his authority. They condemn Him for healing on the Sabbath. They have Jesus under the microscope. Every word, every action is judged by the critics. They don’t ask for a miracle. They don’t come for salvation or hope. They are there to watch. They are playing the role of the spiritual swat team, ready at any moment to pounce upon Jesus for what He does.

The critics were mostly the Pharisees. They felt that it was their duty to protect God’s word and to keep it pure. Jesus offended them. Jesus said things that didn’t seem right. He forgave sins. No one can do that but God. He allowed people to bow to Him. He trounced the traditions of the Pharisees that they held so dear. The Pharisees were suspicious of Jesus. They didn’t trust Him and they certainly didn’t like Him.

Our passage today comes from the encounter with Zaccheus. We remember him as the “wee little man who climbed up a sycamore tree to see Jesus.” There is more to this than that cute little children’s song. Zaccheus was a rich, chief tax collector. He was viewed as a friend to the enemy, Rome, and a traitor to Israel. Most tax collectors became rich by taking advantage of others. Most were just plain cheats. Zaccheus is up a tree looking for Jesus to pass by. Jesus stops. Engages in a conversation. Knows the tax collector by name and He invites Himself to the tax collectors home. No way! What is He thinking? This caused the critics to grumble.

Other times they ridiculed. Once they even laughed at what Jesus said.

Any one that has stood before an audience knows that there are always critics who are watching. The politician faces that. The actor faces that. Even the preacher faces that. Some audiences are more forgiving than others. The wrong word, the misquote, the historical error are caught by the critics sharp eye and they are replayed to the discouragement of the one who said it.

Some are very kind and helpful and they just point things out to make a person better. They have a wonderful spirit about them and are so humble that the comments are well received. We need these kind of people in our lives to help us be right. This was not the Pharisees. And many critics are not this way today. They are mean. They are cold. They hurt with their criticism. Instead of improving, they tear down and put fear into a person. In church circles, many critics love to critique all the mistakes of a sermon as they leave. At the doorway, and in a hurry, and before others, they love to tell the preacher how his sermon was a bomb. The preacher cannot even respond. The critic is in his car and down the road before the preacher can gather his wits. Shame on us for doing that! Especially to the young preacher. Those things just rips his heart out.

I want us to get a picture of what it was like for Jesus. Some in the audience gathered only to get something from Him. They were selfish and needy. Some had all kinds of problems. Then there was the critic. Watching. Ready. Hostile. Taking what Jesus said out of context. Misquoting Him. Accusing Him of false motives.

I don’t know how Jesus did it. Nearly every day was a journey into enemy territory. The critics never left Him alone. Everywhere He went, they were there. Ready. Watching. Testing. Accusing.

The cross was the ultimate suffering for Jesus. I think we get the idea that was the only suffering He endured. I am now seeing that everyday was a form of suffering for Him. How could He get His message across with such an audience? This certainly shows His focus upon the mission and His love for all of us.

Before we leave this thought, some of us live with critics as well. It is nothing to what Jesus endured, but it’s there and it hurts. The critics may be co-workers, who say things and do things to trap you. It may be from family members who do not agree with your faith. They say little snide remarks. They have a way to get their digs in. They challenge and try to put you in a corner. It’s very uncomfortable and it’s very hard on you. There are days you want to find a hole and crawl in it, just to get away. But you can’t.

Take comfort in Jesus. First, He knows what it is like to have critics. He had them every step of the way. They hounded Him and chased Him all the way to the cross. You are not alone. Jesus understands. Pray to God for comfort, relief and help.

Also, notice how Jesus responded. He didn’t act like the critics. He defended what was right. There were times when He turned the questions around on the critics. He did not let them take advantage of Him, but never did He lose His temper and do something that He later had to apologize for. In the heat of the battle, he called the Pharisees “hypocrites” and gave proof of that. When a person throws mud, it is easy to get in the pit and throw mud back. Name calling, shouting, anger, trumped up accusations only break down communication lines. Jesus didn’t do that.

We have been told by Jesus that the world will hate His people. They hate us because they hate Him. Satan is behind that. He is our biggest critic. He hates all the good that you do.

Jesus continued on…even with critics hot on his trail. So must we. There is a work we do and a place we are going. Stay with it!

Roger