I. Sometimes they just don't get it cf Mt 12:39-40

A. Stubborn Hearts Mk 3:2 Some were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath.5 He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. 6 Then the Pharisees...plot how they might kill Jesus. NIV

B. Slow to Know Lk 24:6 He is not here; He has risen! Remember how He told you, while He was still with you in Galilee: 7 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.' " 8 Then they remembered His words. 9 When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. 11 But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. 12 Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened. cx Jn 20:8

Road to Emmaus Lk 24:24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but Him they did not see." 25 He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter His glory?" 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself. Isa 53; 61; Ps 16:10 ; 2:7; 22:14-18; Dt 18:15; Ac 2:25-32

Jerusalem Lk 24:44 He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms." 45 Then he helped them understand the Scriptures CEV. 46 He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. Acts 4:12

Mk16:14 He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen

C. Fish'n instead of Feeding Mk 1:17 Follow me and I will make you become Fishers of Men

Jn 21:15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love/agape Me more than these?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love/philos You." He said to him, "Feed/tend My lambs/sheep."

D. Stumbling in darkness rather than Walking in newness of life to the glory of the Father

Rm 6:4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life (elipsis). 5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. 1Cor 15

II. We don't always get it because of:

A. Preconceptions and Misconceptions about God, ourselves and the relationship between the two 2Tim 2:15

Jn 8:31 to the Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, 32 you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

B. Satanic influence, distortion/lies, and clouding Mt 13:19 hears the word...does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. Eph 2 2 you once walked acc to the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience 1Jn 4:4

C. Failure to focus on our revealed purpose for existing on this planet

Mk 4:19 the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. Lk 8:14..heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity.

D. Refusal to Value the eternal promises of God over temporary power (security/significance), pleasure, and possessions

resulting in: self justification, self preservation, self will, and no self-denial nor fear of God (autonomy)

Lk 9:22 "The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day." 23 Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. 24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. 25 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? 26 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father's, and of the holy angels.

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

1. Why doesn't God just make everything crystal clear, and prevent Satan from deceiving people?
2. Is it possible to know and not do? If so, why don't we do what we know is in our highest interest? Why doubt the light in the dark?
3. If you lived in NT times, would you have followed Jesus? What would keep you from following Him then? How about today?
4. What is your “revealed” purpose for living? How do your thoughts, attitudes, values, words, and actions reflect that purpose?
5. What can you do to ensure that you “get it”? What can you do to help yourself freely walk in the light?