Hello friend, and welcome to Hope for Today. The program you’re listening to is produced by Heralds of Hope. We’re an international Gospel media ministry. Each week our Bible teaching broadcasts circle the globe in English and 22 other major languages. Tens of thousands tune in each week for spiritual nourishment and blessing.
But radio ministry is just one part of what we do at Heralds of Hope. We also distribute Bibles and literature. And our newest publication is called Hope Herald. It’s a study guide designed to complement the teaching you’ll hear on this broadcast. We would be happy to send a copy of this study guide to you if you just write and ask for it. Stay tuned and I will give you the contact information at the end of the program.
Now, here’s Pastor J. Mark with today’s teaching.
In wisdom, God made us so we can think. Our minds are wonderful machines. We can store many different ideas in our minds. We are told there is no limit to what we can learn if we set our will to learn it.
Our minds are so made that we can receive or reject an idea. The reason is our wills control our minds. Because of this fact, we should carefully examine every idea or thought to make sure it is true before we accept it to store in our minds.
When we are examining an idea, we often ask questions in order to evaluate it. That is a good way to make sure of the truth of what we are considering.
I want to discuss JESUS – THE SON OF MAN. People in Jesus’ day often had questions about Him. They knew what Moses had written. They understood the Bible. But their teachers had given them additional teaching which didn’t always correspond with what Jesus was doing or teaching. This raised doubts like men have today. They really many times wanted to know. But those doubts were serious barriers.
John 12:34-43 gives some insights about recognizing Jesus.
34. The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?
35. Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.
36. While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.
37. But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:
38. That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?
39. Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,
40. He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their hearts; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.
41. These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spoke of him.
42. Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:
43. For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
From our text, I wish to expose several BARRIERS which often keep people from seeing Jesus – the Son of Man.
The first Barrier:
