Self-absorbed distractions ∙
You are worried and bothered about so many things, but only one thing is necessary – Luke 10:41-42
Luke 21:34-36
34 Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by . . . the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware,
35 like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth.
36 Keep alert at all times.
In 1904, Sigismund Goetze displayed his painting, “He was Despised and Rejected of Men,” at the exhibition of the Royal Academy in London. At the time, it created somewhat of a fuss.
Paintings of the suffering of Christ are abundant. However, this painting is somewhat unique. The Lord Jesus Christ is pictured in the center, tied to a pedestal. An angel stands high above in the background. His head bowed, holding a cup.
Although the Lord Jesus Christ is in the midst of a large group of people, they take little notice of Him. They pass by without even glancing in His direction. They are all caught up in their daily activities. It is business as usual. Life goes on for all but one. A nurse easily identified by her uniform has turned her eyes toward Him. What is remarkable is that the people are all dressed in contemporary Victorian-style clothing. Goetze juxtaposed the suffering of Christ ordained in eternity past with the mundanity of contemporary life.
A closer look reveals Christ tied to an altar inscribed with “The Unknown God,” echoing the apostle Paul’s reference in Athens (Acts 17:23). This subtle detail weaves together historical and spiritual themes, enriching the narrative with depth and complexity.
The scene is very similar to what we might expect in the 21st century. Transposing this scene into today’s world, only fashion would change. People would likely be fixated on their smartphones, engrossed and unaware as they pass by. A closer look reveals Christ tied to an altar inscribed with “The Unknown God,” echoing the apostle Paul’s reference in Athens (Acts 17:23). This subtle detail weaves together historical and spiritual themes, enriching the narrative with depth and complexity.
Of course, that is the point of Goetze’s painting. For the vast majority of people, the Lord Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for the sins of the world remains unknown or ignored.
Isaiah 53:3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Acts 17:22-23
22 Men of Athens, I notice that you are very religious in every way,
23 for as I was walking along, I saw your many shrines. And one of your altars had this inscription on it: “To an Unknown God.” This God, whom you worship without knowing, is the one I’m telling you about.
REFLECT & PRAY
Caught up in the rush of daily activities, it is far too easy to become oblivious or insensitive to the Lord Jesus Christ. We forget.
Father, as you know, life in the 21st century is rushed and packed with busyness.
Enable me to make steady progress and give You the highest priority in my life.
INSIGHT
Who is Jesus Christ, and why does it matter?
The Lord Jesus Christ performed many signs to demonstrate His true identity.
John 20:30-31
30 Therefore, many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book;
31 but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.
When Christ was alive on earth, many people were perplexed and struggled to understand His true identity.
Matthew 16:13-17
13 Now, when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”
14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.”
The Lord Jesus Christ was well aware of what was going on and who would believe and who would not. He clearly articulated this understanding and provided the reasoning behind it.
John 6:64-66
64 “But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who it was that would betray Him.
65 And He was saying, “For this reason, I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father.”
66 As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore.
Faith is a choice, a personal decision. Yet the Father actively works to encourage individuals to become part of His Forever Family to come to know the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord.
Peter understood the full significance of believing in the Lord Jesus Christ. It is through this faith that we receive forgiveness and eternal salvation. There is no other way to come to the Father.
John 6:68-69
68 Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life.”
69 “We have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God.”
Once we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, we face ongoing choices about how we nurture our relationship with Him. We can become consumed by the distractions of everyday life, or we can choose to prioritize our connection with Christ. This decision rests with each of us. Making Christ the focal point of our lives is a process, a skill that every child of the King can cultivate.
It requires time and effort, and not every day will be the same. We experience periods of significant spiritual growth and closeness, as well as times of dryness. This is entirely normal. As A. H. Strong noted, “Growth is not a uniform thing in the tree or in the Christian. In some single months, there is more growth than in all the year besides. During the rest of the year, however, there is solidification, without which the green timber would be useless. The period of rapid growth, when the woody fiber is actually deposited between the bark and the trunk, occupies but four to six weeks in May, June, and July.”
We need to learn to unstring our bow now and then and relieve the tension. Don’t be discouraged! Continue striving toward the high calling we’ve been given (Philippians 3:14).
Whether or not they are children of the King, people often become too easily distracted from what truly matters.
Luke 10:41-42 You are worried and bothered about so many things, but only one thing is necessary.
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© Dr. H 2024
Dr H Reflections 