Why did the people and rulers in Jerusalem fail to recognize Jesus? Setting the Scene Paul, preaching in the synagogue at Pisidian Antioch, looks back to Jerusalem and explains why its leaders missed their own Messiah. Key Verse “For the people of Jerusalem and their rulers, not recognizing Jesus…” —Acts 13:27 Prophetic Blindness — Not Just Ignorance • Every Sabbath those leaders heard Moses and the Prophets read aloud, yet their hearts stayed closed (Isaiah 6:9-10; Matthew 13:14-15). • Because they would not submit to Scripture, they could not see its fulfillment standing before them (John 5:39-40). • 1 Corinthians 2:8 says rulers “did not understand” and thus “crucified the Lord of glory,” proving that spiritual truth is revealed, not merely learned. Tradition Outweighing Truth • Human traditions built a fence around the Law (Mark 7:8-9). • Messiah did signs that matched Isaiah 35 and 61, yet He did not fit their man-made expectations of a political liberator (Luke 24:20-21). • Their fear of losing status in Rome’s eyes (John 11:48) made them cling to tradition over the living Word. Political Expediency Over Integrity • Pilate saw no guilt, but the Sanhedrin pressed for death to protect their position (John 19:12-15). • By condemning Jesus, they ironically completed the very prophecies they claimed to honor (Psalm 22; Isaiah 53; Acts 13:29). He Fulfilled the Scriptures They Heard Weekly • Psalm 118—rejected Stone becomes Cornerstone (quoted in Acts 4:11). • Isaiah 53—silent Sheep led to slaughter (Acts 8:32-35). • Daniel 9—Messiah cut off before the temple fell. What they recited each Sabbath was unfolding in real time, yet unbelief veiled their eyes. The Cost of Hardened Hearts • Unbelief steals the joy of God’s promises (Hebrews 3:12-19). • A hard heart always finds a reason to dismiss clear evidence (John 12:37-40). • Rejecting light brings deeper darkness; accepting light brings more light (Luke 8:18). Personal Takeaways • Exposure to Scripture must lead to submission; hearing alone is not enough (James 1:22). • Examine expectations against the whole counsel of God, not cultural assumptions. • Guard the heart; repeated refusal of truth breeds blindness. |
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