For the Christian, there is no better life to study than the life of Jesus. He was the perfect example of how we are supposed to live. Thankfully we have four different accounts of Jesus’s life that tell the same story through different eyes. Recently while working through the Gospel according to John, I was surprised to see a verse I had not really thought much of before. That being John 6:6 a verse that seems to indicate Jesus set Himself up to provide just the right response.
John 6:6
6 And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.
This verse is preceded by Jesus seeing the multitude coming in search of him. Which prompted Him to ask Phillip where they could buy food to feed the people. Phillip replied by saying even if we worked for months we still would not have enough to feed all these people. John 6:6 proves that Jesus knew what He was going to do, but at the same time wanted this to be a teachable moment. He was searching for a response that would make the feat seem all the more impossible. So that the miracle would prove He truly was the Son of God.
It is amazing to think that Jesus would set up the conversation all to work for the better. The account would be far less impactful without being able to see just how much it would take to feed such a large crowd. What’s more amazing is that when you really began to think about it Jesus sets himself up time and time again throughout the Gospels.
Jesus Allowed Lazarus to Die
We know that Jesus had the ability to heal the sick. From the scripture, we can even see that He was able to heal the sick without even going near them. Simply read Matthew 8:5-13 when Jesus heals the Roman officer’s servant without going to him. Or the government official’s son who Jesus heals the same way in John 4:46-53. So if Jesus could heal from afar why didn’t He heal Lazarus?
Once again Jesus wanted to prove that He truly was who he claimed to be and to do so required Him to set Himself up. So by allowing Lazarus to die, He did something thought impossible. Something unheard of, He raised a man from the dead. This act sent a shockwave through the world of ancient Israel that has carried on to this day. By raising Lazarus from the dead Jesus proved who He was and caused millions of people’s faith to grow. It made such an impact in His time that people would come just to see Lazarus. The Parrises even wanted to kill Lazarus because it was building so much faith in Jesus.
John 12:9-11
9 Much people of the Jews, therefore, knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death; 11 Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away and believed on Jesus.
Jesus Chose Judas
The simple act of Jesus choosing Judas to be his disciple seems to really confuse some people. Often causing them to ask why Jesus who knew all would want the one who would betray Him to be so close to Him. Questions like that often arise due to people trying to look at the situation through human eyes and not the eyes of God.
Jesus knew that He was to die as a sacrifice for the sins of the world. He alludes to this all throughout the Gospels. So to die in the manner prophesied in the Old Testament and to fulfill His purpose He had to be betrayed. That meant that the one who would betray him had to be closely associated with him. Otherwise, the betrayer would not know where to find Jesus outside of the city.
While it all may sound crazy to us this is what had to be done. Jesus did it to set Himself up to be betrayed in a way that would lead to our salvation. He knew all the variables at play, the sin of the world, the need for His death, the state of Judas’s heart, and every other detail, needed to make grace and forgiveness available to all.
“Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?”
Jesus asks His disciples that question in Matthew chapter 16. It seems like a simple enough question like He is just curious about what is being said about him. Yet we know Jesus knows all. So why even ask the question? And why then go on to ask the disciples who they say He is? Because He is not asking so that He may know but so that those reading will know who He is. It needs to be affirmed and not just by Himself. Because the Bible teaches two or more witnesses are required to affirm a truth (Deuteronomy 19:15, Matthew 18:16).
The question not only allowed the disciples to affirm His identity as the Son of God. It also gave Jesus the opportunity to show how important knowing His identity is. Knowing the true identity of Jesus is at the foundation of the Christian church. Without knowing who Jesus is all our beliefs would crumble around us.
Matthew 16:16-18
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock, I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Jesus orchestrated the conversation so that we today could know who He is and how important that knowledge is. In my eyes that is nothing short of amazing.
Why Does This Matter
Being able to see how purposeful Jesus was is able to teach us so much about God. For instance, by asking the questions He already knew the answer to Jesus was drawing our attention to a point He wanted to be made clear. Or by letting somethings happen He was able to solve the preceding problems and show the power He carried.
This all shows how the Bible was written in a purposeful way. Not something that was simply thrown together over the years. But a beautiful work where every detail was orchestrated by the hand of the Lord. Only something truly given to us from God would be able to stand the test of the time that the Bible has. While continuing to change lives year after year for thousands of years. God is purposeful in all that he does and that includes all that happens in our lives.
Apply This Principle to Your Life
Beyond seeing how purposefully God is in everything. We can learn to apply this principle in our own daily lives. Just as Jesus set himself up we can also set ourselves up. We can be purposeful in our conversations. Attempting to steer our interactions with friends, family, and co-workers away from worldly topics. Choosing instead to steer the conversation in a Christian direction.
By simply speaking with purpose or by even simply finding joy in every situation. We can often cause others to ask about our faith. Allowing us to share the gospel with them in a way that causes them to want to know more. This is a great way to open the door to sharing the gospel without seeming to force it. This also often has far greater results than many other ways of evangelism.
Hopefully, you have found this article insightful both into the way Jesus set himself up throughout the Gospels. But also in how to share the truth of Christianity in a new way that will help you to reach more people. You will be amazed how much is possible when you begin to do everything with the purpose of leading people to Jesus.
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