Two thousand years ago, the Jews rejected Jesus because they only paid attention to His physical life. If we only look at Jesus’ physical life and circumstances, we can never receive Christ correctly.
The Life of Jesus Christ
During Jesus’ time, it was customary for the Jews, especially the Pharisees who were recognized leaders in the world, to wash their hands before eating (Mk 7:3). In those days, eating without washing your hands was like eating with your bare hands without using utensils. Jesus Christ, God who came as a man, sometimes ate without washing His hands.
When Jesus had finished speaking, a Pharisee invited him to eat with him; so he went in and reclined at the table. But the Pharisee, noticing that Jesus did not first wash before the meal, was surprised. Lk 11:37–38
The Pharisee expected Jesus to wash His hands; however, Jesus ate without washing His hands. Because of this, he was surprised. ‘If He is a prophet sent by God, He must be cleaner than anyone else. Why then does He eat without washing His hands?’ The Pharisees failed to recognize Jesus correctly because of these thoughts. In the end, they turned away from Christ because His daily life was different from their expectations. Those who only focus on the physical life of Christ cannot help but stumble in this way. The Bible prophesied that God would be a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall (Isa 8:13–15).
The Circumstances of Jesus Christ
The people that spent time with Jesus were not held in high regard; rather, they were tax collectors and prostitutes, sinners who were despised by the world. The Jews slandered Jesus for befriending tax collectors and sinners. Subsequently, due to the Pharisees’ resentment of sinners, they naturally despised Jesus.
“For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and “sinners.” ’ But wisdom is proved right by her actions.” Mt 11:18–19
Now the tax collectors and “sinners” were all gathering around to hear him. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Lk 15:1–2
Why did the Jews despise tax collectors and prostitutes? A tax collector was an official who collected taxes for Rome. The Jews regarded them as tools the Romans used to oppress their people. Regardless of the time, prostitutes were always criticized. Jesus, however, not only spent time with them but even said that tax collectors and prostitutes would enter the Kingdom of God ahead of the religious leaders.
Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you.” Mt 21:31
Jesus’ circumstances concealed the glory of Christ who came as a man. ‘If He is the Holy One sent by God, how can He get along with the tax collectors and the prostitutes?’ These thoughts blinded their eyes. Their minds were not filled with Jesus’ gracious words or the work He did to fulfill the prophecies in the Bible. The Jews, who focused on the physical aspects of Christ, fell and were broken and captured as prophesied in the Bible.
Those Who Do Not Fall Away on Account of Christ
In order to receive Christ, God who came in the flesh, we must not forget Jesus’ words, “Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.” When it was time for John the Baptist to leave this world, he sent his disciples to Jesus to make sure he testified about the true Christ (Mt 11:2–3). At that time, Jesus revealed that the prophecies of the Old Testament concerning Christ were being fulfilled through Him and that John’s mission was complete. After this, He said, “Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.”
Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.” Mt 11:4–6
Jesus said this because there were many things in His physical life and circumstances that could have caused people to stumble. Even though the prophecies in the Bible clearly show that Jesus was the Christ who came to save mankind, His physical appearance was no different from ordinary people. There were many things in Jesus’ physical life that caused men to stumble such as the fact that He was a carpenter’s son and that He came from Galilee. This fulfilled the prophecy that God would be a stone that would cause the Israelites to stumble and a rock, trap, and a snare that would make them fall (Isa 8:13–15).
Those who believe in God should recognize and receive Christ by focusing on the prophecies in the Bible and not the physical aspects of Christ. Those who try to judge Christ by His life and circumstances will never recognize Him.