SIX REASONS FOR HIS REJECTION

SIX REASONS FOR HIS REJECTION

 

1.       The requirement was too high for an unsaved individual although some reached to a very high level but still far too short.  Matt. 5:20 says “That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Paul was one of the highest attainders of acceptance according to goodness through the keeping of the law. Phil. 3:4-7, 9 says “Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinks that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.” The adherence to the outward forms of the law was not enough. Matt. 6:2, 5, 16 “Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. And when thou pray, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward. Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward.”

2.       Because He also refused to set up a Kingdom merely social and political in its nature. Christ refused to be a Judge or Divider of material things possessed. Luke 12:13-15 “And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me. And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you? And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consists not in the abundance of the things which he possesses.”

3.       Because He denunciated mere traditional religion. Luke 11:37-41 “And as he spake, a certain Pharisee besought him to dine with him: and he went in, and sat down to meat. And when the Pharisee saw it, he marveled that he had not first washed before dinner. And the Lord said unto him, now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness. Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also? But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you.” Israel had cleaned up the outside, but never changed the inside, for they refused to take Christ in. Nature abhors a vacuum. If men will not be filled with Christ, then they will be filled with wickedness.

4.       Because He arraigned the ruling classes. Luke 11:42-12:1 and also Matt. 23.

5.       Because He associated with sinners. Luke 15:1-2 “Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, this man receives sinners, and eats with them.”

6.       Because of His exalted claims for Himself. John 5:16-18 “And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the Sabbath day. But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the Sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God."