"Discernment"

 "For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast, or, that he should give something to the poor." (John 13:29 KJV)

  "Oh, foolish Galatians! Who has cast an evil spell on you? For the meaning of Jesus Christ's death was made as clear to you as if you had seen a picture of his death on the cross." (Galatians 3:1 NLT)

 First off, this is a typical illustration of how the human mind works, as it will usually assume that which is common and the easier thing to understand. As for the cross, that was really not even in their minds; what Jesus had been telling them, was basically Greek to them, and they never even were able to comprehend what He meant, saying, "Now the time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory." 

 As I thought about this, it really doesn't seem that long ago when I saw that image of Christ on the cross. It really still seems as though it was just the other day, yet, before that, it never really made any sense to me, why it needed to ever happen. Now I totally understand, it was the only way that it could happen! 

 Even to this day, man still believes that there is something that they must do to inherit eternal life. Which reminds me of what transpired between the 'Young Rich Ruler' and Jesus Christ. Why did Jesus tell that young man to go and sell all that he had? If all that was required, was to believe on Him, what was the reason for the distraction from the Only Way to inherit eternal life? 

 Maybe we need to really figure out what is the most important thing in our lives, and then put everything we have into what is most important! If the disciples had understood everything that Jesus had been telling them, they would have known what was going on. The glory of the Son of Man was the cross! 

 The whole reason that Jesus had to come as a man, was the man that committed the first sin! There needed to be a perfect sacrifice, in the form of a man, in order to undo what had been done: and only God is perfect! Maybe, just the fact that Jesus hung around with them, caused them not to understand the real point and meaning of the cross? 

 There is really no difference between us and them! Even though we know the truth and the reason Jesus had to hang on the cross, we still get tripped up over our own sinful desires and weaknesses. We fail to see the real work that was done, sometimes, because we look at ourselves and not to the cross...

"Let me ask you a question: Did you receive the Holy Spirit by obeying the law of Moses? Of course not! You received the Spirit because you believed the message you heard about Christ. How foolish can you be? After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you trying to become perfect by your own human efforts? Have you experienced so much for nothing? Surely it was not in vain, was it? I ask you again, does God give you the Holy Spirit and work miracles among you because you obey the law? Of course not! It is because you believe the message you heard about Christ." (Galatians 3:2-5 NLT)