A blog by Josh Cahan
How Do I View Jesus?
“Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, but Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.’ And he laid his hands on them and went away.” (Matthew 19:13-15)
John Calvin’s Commentary on this passage:
“If a crown had been put on his head, they would have admitted it willingly, and with approbation; for they did not yet comprehend his actual office. But they reckon it unworthy of his character to receive children; and their error wanted not plausibility; for what has the highest Prophet and the Son of God to do with infants? But hence we learn, that they who judge of Christ according to the feeling of their flesh are unfair judges; for they constantly deprive him of his peculiar excellencies, and, on the other hand, ascribe, under the appearance of honor, what does not at all belong to him. Hence arose an immense mass of superstitions, which presented to the world a fancied Christ. And therefore let us learn not to think of him otherwise than what himself teaches, and not to assign to him a character different from what he has received from the Father. We see what happened with Popery. They thought that they were conferring a great honor on Christ, if they bowed down before a small piece of bread; but in the sight of God it was an offensive abomination. Again, because they did not think it sufficiently honorable to him to perform the office of an Advocate for us, they made for themselves innumerable intercessors; but in this way they deprived him of the honor of Mediator.”
The disciples subconsciously developed false assumptions about who Jesus is, and their foolishness was put on full display in the above passage. But what about us? What assumptions have we subconsciously created about Jesus that aren’t actually true?
As Calvin says above, “[L]et us learn not to think of [Jesus] otherwise than what Himself teaches, and not to assign to Him a character different from what He has received from the Father.” Let’s get our view of God from the Word of God - not from our own presuppositions.
This prayer is exactly what I needed today. Oh Lord, I need a bigger gospel heart.
“Dear Lord Jesus, to begin this day with the assurance of your acceptance brings great peace and joy to my heart. You know everything about me, and yet you gladly and fully accept me. You know my failures, fickleness, and faithlessness, and still you welcome me into fellowship with you today. How I praise you for your lavish, constant and transforming love.
I’m the immature younger brother you welcomed home. I’m the self-righteous elder brother you constantly pursue. I’m the one lying at your feet others would stone, but you have loved. I’ve doubted with Thomas and run away with Jonah. I’ve been angry like Job and sulked like Jeremiah. I’ve been up in the tree with Zacchaeus and down in the depths with Peter, and you have always made me feel welcome and wanted. Jesus, I know such mercy and grace must not stop with me. As you accept me, you’re calling me to accept others. That is so hard to do, Lord. You must give me both the will and the strength. For there are many believers and non-believers whom I silently judge and regularly avoid. There are those with whom I disagree about many things—including theology, politics, Christian liberty and worship styles. There are some relationships that are bruised and fractured, that I’d just rather not mess with. There are some personalities that raise my dander, “push my buttons” and simply annoy me. I’m convicted as I offer my prayer. Have mercy on me, the sinner. Jesus, I need a bigger gospel heart. Please free me from the limitations of my perspective, the prejudices of my heritage, and the insecurities of my comfort zone. Please free me from insincere niceness and the need to be right. Please teach me the difference between essential and nonessential matters. Please help me put down the judge’s gavel and take up the servant’s towel. Let me remember that your promise to finish the good work you began in me applies to each of your children as well. Burn this conviction indelibly into my heart: it brings greatpraise to God when I work hard at accepting others as you accept me. So very Amen I pray, in your matchless and merciful name. Amen.”
