This week we will be focusing on the counterintuitive nature of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul, in his earliest letter to the Galatians, makes a definitive statement that we do well to start with: “I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.” (Galatians 1:11-12)
If the Gospel had been invented by man, it would, by its very nature, be intuitive, and easily comprehended by humans. If it had been cooked up by some slick religionists or a clever marketing agency to attract lots of adherents who could contribute money and resources to its cause, one would expect an easy-to-understand message with lots of promises and catchy phrases. It would need to meet lots of simple perceived needs for its followers and stroke the egos of its leaders as they promoted their belief system. But the good news of what God had done in Christ for humanity is none of that.
Instead, the Gospel of Jesus is counterintuitive to every dimension of human understanding and need. Furthermore, because it originated from within the economy of God, it is morally self-discriminating. There are a whole class of humans who reject the Gospel on very logical grounds. In this week’s study, we want to challenge you to ask “why?” to this fact. The answers reveal much of who God is and much of who we are as image-bearing fallen creatures. Hidden deep within this enigma is the answer to why Jesus had to die on a cross.
Undeniable, however, is the fact that the Gospel and the world Christian movement is supernatural in origin. Look back to Jesus’s last physical appearance on earth and you’ll see why.
“Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:6-10)
First, notice that the movement did not, nor could not, start without the presence and power of God Himself within His people. A chapter later, fire falls and appears over the heads of the 120 believers gathered, and suddenly they are empowered to supernaturally speak in the dozen or more languages gathered in Jerusalem. As they preached, more than 3,000 people were “cut to the heart” and the world Christian movement was born. Peter’s words are recorded for us as he proclaims the Gospel of a crucified and risen Messiah who is redeeming for Himself a spiritual Kingdom throughout the earth. Consider this fact though; most of Jerusalem did NOT believe that day! Most rejected the message of a crucified Lord! Ask “why?” this week as you study.
Finally, go back and pray for the ministries and missionaries we support to further the movement of the Gospel “to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) Nothing happens in God’s economy that first doesn’t happen in the realm of prayer. Even today, we look forward to seeing all the nations and languages praising our risen Christ and are thankful to be a part of His movement that He started and empowered 1,996 years ago!
As you prepare for tonight’s home group, look back over the devotions from the past week. Which devotions were most meaningful to you and why?