Apathy & Ignorance is often a Choice

John 8:21-30

In the 1970’s I worked with a young man named Joe Williams, who often would say, “Apathy and Ignorance are two things that have no equal.”  Joe was using apathy to define a person who showed no interest in the subject or was just lazy.  If you add ignorance to that person you have someone who is unaware or lacks knowledge, and who is not willing to put any effort, mental or physical energy to achieve a purpose.  Often, such a person will tell you that his mind is made up, and not let you share any facts with him.  Have you encountered such a person, if so, will you agree that Joe was on the spot with his definition?

I have no doubt that many of the Pharisees fit into Joe’s definition, but not all of them, and we should never forget that others on the peripheral are watching and listening.  Picking up the story in verse 22, “So the Jews said, “Will he kill himself, since he says, “Where I am going, you cannot come’?  This is where the story becomes our story, it is no longer Jesus just talking to the Pharisees, you and I are not in the peripheral in the story, in fact we are the focus of Jesus’ words.  These are the words that Jesus is speaking to all of us; “You are from below; I am from above.  You are of this world; I am not of this world.  I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.”  (John 8:23, 24)

As I reread verses 23&24, it became clear that you and I who have now read these words may be asking the same question as the Pharisees; “So they said to him, “Who are you?”  Jesus said to them, “Just what I have been telling you from the beginning.  I have much to say about you and much to judge, but he who sent me is true, and I declare to the world what I have heard from him.”  They did not understand that he had been speaking to them about the Father.  So Jesus said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me.  And he who sent me is with me.  He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.”  As he was saying these things, many believed in him.”

You and I are part of the world Jesus refers to, so now the ball is in your court, do not be apathetic and ignorant, but look and examine the information; Jesus is Creator God, or he is at best a liar, and I’ve made my choice to place my trust, my life in Him as my Lord and my God.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice