Jesus perplexed? Really?
Let’s check out the story.
Jesus had been straightforwardly speaking out against some religious traditions and rules. (Luke 6:1-11). These rules had been accepted as safeguards to prevent people from breaking God’s law. But these man-made rules intruded into people’s lives, making their lives incredibly difficult. They eclipsed God’s promises, and placed hope of salvation on human effort.
In attacking customs that the religious leaders had spent their lives promoting, Jesus was stepping on their toes. He was stripping away the merit that they thought they had earned through their painstaking efforts. And He was undermining the influence and authority that they had built up for themselves. These religious leaders started making plans for how to get rid of Jesus.
Luke 6:12 tells us that at this time that Jesus spent a whole night in prayer.
I wonder what was in His heart during that night of prayer. I’m sure He was expressing His unwillingness to give up on reaching the hearts of the religious leaders – His desires to not only show them a better way, but to also win their hearts to love it. But was He also giving voice to perplexity that night? Realizing that His best efforts weren’t working, and that something had to change?
The Bible tells us that Jesus was tempted just as we are (Hebrews 2:14-18; 4:15). He had to face the reality of challenges just as we have to face them.
Jesus’ ministry changed after that night of prayer. He chose twelve disciples, and began to prioritize mentoring them. He would give the religious leaders the opportunity to hear the truth from other voices, and the opportunity to see the truth transform lives.
When we face perplexities, let’s remember that Jesus sympathizes. He’s ready to help us. We can take our perplexities to Him, just as He took His to the Father.