When I asked my group this question this morning several pointed out "all four men are praying."
"They look like they are in pain, agony or suffering."
One lady said, "I see with the color there is hope in the suffering."
This morning as I taught about the moment when Jesus asked the disciples, "Who do the people say I am?" (Luke 9:18-22) I used these four paintings to emphasize that the people or crowds thought Jesus was Elijah, John the Baptist, or a prophet of old.
I wanted them to see they saw their character. The knew Jesus was like these men of faith, but still very different.
Jesus confounded them. So much so that Herod, the governor, questioned, "Who is this man?"
As we were discussing this, it hit me, the crowds recognized His character of passion, prayer, and even willingness to suffer, yet they did not believe.
Why?
They lacked the love tgat moves forward in obedience.
They did not have the greatest commandment at work in them. They did not love Jesus with all of their heart, mind, soul, or spirit. So, the knowledge of His character led to curiosity and perplexity but not transformation.
No wonder Jesus challenged the disciples to answer, "Who do you say I am?"
Our world will communicate many opnions about Jesus. And in many cases, they might know a real truth like He is a teacher or a prophet. But until they have the love, it will mean nothing. A clanging cymbol.
It is the love that is willing to join the suffering servant and press through the pain of a trial.
What about you?
Can you say you love Jesus? Or do you just know alot about Him?
