JESUS, MISUNDERSTOOD. - PART II

As seen in the first part of this reflection, even the disciples, who were so close to Jesus and walked with Him, did not understand Him at first. The cause, as already stated, was the fact that they expected a political-nationalist Messiah who would liberate Israel from the Roman empire and elevate it to an important position among the nations. However, Jesus was not involved in politics, was deeply spiritual, and claimed that his "Kingdom" was not of this world (John 18:36). In fact, the center of his teaching and preaching was, exactly, the "Kingdom of God" (Luke 6:20; 8:10; 9:62; 10:9; 11:2; 11:20; 12:31; 13:29; 16:16; 17:20,21; 18:16,24; 21:31; 22:29,30).

But other aspects of his person contributed to this misunderstanding. Although he was a "flesh and blood" man with a family and fixed address, his supernatural birth, his deep prayer life, and the originality of his teaching and preaching made people see him as different and special. However, nothing was as strong and impactful for this misunderstanding of his person as the miracles he performed. These deeds of Jesus were inexplicable in light of the natural laws that govern the physical world. How do we understand a man of "flesh and blood" (Hebrews 2:13) who rebukes the wind and fury of the sea, bringing immediate calm (Matthew 8:23-27)?

In this regard, it is noted that Jesus demonstrated, in many miracles, power over "physis", that is, over matter. Twice He transformed a few loaves into a sufficient quantity to feed a multitude. He also walked on the waters of the Sea of Galilee, turned water into wine, and altered the matter of people's bodies, in many healings, such as giving sight to the blind, healing lepers, and paralytics (Matthew 14:30-44; 15:29-39; Matthew 14:22-36; John 2:1-11; 9:1-12; Matthew 8:1-4; 9:1-8).

In addition to this power over the world of matter, the gospels show that this carpenter of Nazareth had a misunderstood power over the spiritual world. Once, He went to the synagogue in Capernaum, and while He was teaching, a man "who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, 'What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!'”. Jesus, not wanting people to believe in his divine origin through the testimony of demons, rebuked him, saying: "Be quiet!... Come out of him!". At the same time, "the impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.." And they were all amazed at Jesus' authority over these evil beings (Mark 1:21-28). The gospels contain numerous other accounts of Jesus' clashes with these fallen angels, showing his authority over them.

Another aspect was his power over death. The gospels narrate that Jesus Christ, during his action in the world, raised three dead people (Mark 5:21-43; Luke 7:11-17 and John 11). These deeds gave Him much notoriety, and multitudes followed Him. He himself said of himself: "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die" (John 11:25). He spoke this way because he knew that he would soon die on the cross, but that he would rise again. These two events, his death and resurrection, would put an end to death in mankind and open a way for man to return to his Creator.

Certain statements of Jesus caused a strong misunderstanding of his person in his disciples and, especially, among the religious of his time. Once, they brought a paralytic to Him so that He could heal him. Jesus, however, did not heal him. He only said to that man: "man, your sins are forgiven". As God, incarnate, Jesus understood that He had the power even to forgive sins. And so he did, for it was far more important than physical healing, since the forgiveness of sins frees man from eternal damnation.

It happens, however, that the religious present, were scandalized by this statement of Jesus. Then He said, "Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven', or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins... I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” Immediately the man stood up in front of them and went home praising God (Luke 5:17-26).

After the death of Jesus, the religious of his time continued not to understand him. But His disciples reached full understanding of His person, because after His resurrection, He spent forty days with them remembering what He had said and reorienting them. Ten days after his ascension, at Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples. He taught them about Jesus Christ, for Jesus had said to them, "the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you" (John 14:26).

In the present day, Jesus Christ remains misunderstood to most of humanity. This is because of sin, within man. A veil of iniquity prevents man from seeing Jesus Christ as the Son of God. The Apostle Paul said, "The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit" (1 Corinthians 2:14). But those who recognize their condition of spiritual fall and turn to God can receive from Him the grace to have their "eyes of the heart" (Ephesians 1:18) opened and see not only the glory of the Son of God, but also His eternal Kingdom.

Antônio Maia – Ph.B., M. Div.

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