It’s no surprise that Jesus had a different spiritual view of things than man. After all, He came from Heaven and is God. Look at the ways below in how Jesus viewed spiritual things differently than the people around him so you can grow.
Evaluate yourself to see how you see things and think as you read. Look for ways where you need real improvement.
Jesus revered God’s house, man didn’t (Mt 21:12-13; Mk 11:15-17; Lk 19:45-46; Jn 2:13-16):
15 They came to Jerusalem, and He went into the temple complex and began to throw out those buying and selling in the temple. He overturned the money changers’ tables and the chairs of those selling doves, 16 and would not permit anyone to carry goods through the temple complex. 17 Then He began to teach them: “Is it not written, My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations? But you have made it a den of thieves!” (Mk 11:15-17. See also Jn 2:13-16)
People were not only conducting commerce in the Temple, but they were cheating people in the process. That is why Jesus had several different rebukes, He told them to stop turning His Father’s house into a market, He rebuked them for making it a den of thieves, and He rebuked them for not using it as it was meant to be used.
Do you revere God’s house and act reverently in it?
- Imitate God by being reverent in God’s house.
Jesus keeps God as the top priority, man sometimes elevates service to people above God (Mt 26:6-13):
6 While Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon, a man who had a serious skin disease, 7 a woman approached Him with an alabaster jar of very expensive fragrant oil. She poured it on His head as He was reclining at the table. 8 When the disciples saw it, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. 9 “This might have been sold for a great deal and given to the poor.” 10 But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a noble thing for Me. 11 You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have Me. 12 By pouring this fragrant oil on My body, she has prepared Me for burial. 13 I assure you: Wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told in memory of her.” (Mt 26:6-13)
A woman poured expensive perfume on Jesus to honor Him. But the Apostles viewed it as a waste thinking the money could have been used to help the poor (serve people). The Apostles only looked at the monetary value and neglected the spiritual aspect of the Lord being honored. They were neglecting to honor God in favor of serving people. Martha did the same thing when she made dinner while Mary sat at Jesus’ feet listening to Him (Mt 26:7-13: Mk 14:3-9; Jn 12:3-7).
Is your top priority honoring and glorifying God or serving people?
- Imitate God by keeping Him as your top priority over everybody and everything.
Jesus did not judge a person’s life trouble on sin, the Apostle’s did:
As He was passing by, He saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples questioned Him: “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” Jesus answered. “This came about so that God’s works might be displayed in him. (Jn 9:1-3)
The Apostles blamed the man’s blindness on sin, Jesus did not and saw it as an opportunity for God to be glorified. Although some physical maladies may be indicative of a sinful life, not all are the result of sin. Don’t assume a person’s life difficulties are the result of sin.
Are you like Job’s friends and blame all physical maladies on a person’s sin?
- Imitate God by not judging a person’s spiritual condition based on their life situation or health.
Jesus recognized the Father’s voice, the people didn’t:
27 “Now My soul is troubled. What should I say—Father, save Me from this hour? But that is why I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify Your name!” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again!” 29 The crowd standing there heard it and said it was thunder. Others said that an angel had spoken to Him. 30 Jesus responded, “This voice came, not for Me, but for you.” (Jn 12:27-30)
The Father spoke from Heaven but the people standing there didn’t recognize it as His voice. Some people didn’t even recognize it was a voice. Sinful man, and maybe even some Christian’s can’t or don’t recognize God’s voice and leading.
Would you recognize God’s Word if it were spoken to you outside of church?
- Imitate Jesus by hearing and listening to God’s voice / Word.
Jesus had spiritual discernment, the Apostles did not (Mk 14:18-19; Lk 22:23; Jn 13:21-22):
21 When Jesus had said this, He was troubled in His spirit and testified, “I assure you: One of you will betray Me!” 22 The disciples started looking at one another—uncertain which one He was speaking about. 23 One of His disciples, the one Jesus loved, was reclining close beside Jesus. 24 Simon Peter motioned to him to find out who it was He was talking about. 25 So he leaned back against Jesus and asked Him, “Lord, who is it?” (Jn 13:21-25)
The Apostles couldn’t identify the betrayer, false follower among them, when Jesus announced one would betray Him. But Jesus knew who it was. The Lord told us that we should be judging people by their fruit to see if they are true believers or not. Examine people and use discernment.
Do you judge people by their fruit to determine if they are believers or not?
- Imitate God by being spiritually discerning regarding the people around you.
Summary:
- Be spiritually discerning regarding people.
- Listen for and obey God’s voice when He speaks to your heart and to His Word.
- Don’t automatically think a person is going through a life hardship because of sin.
- Be alert for spiritual battles around you.
- Keep honoring and serving God as your priority over everybody and everything.
- Be reverent of God and while in His house.
BIBLE DEVOTIONS FOR LIVING 