Sharing March 24, 2023

Too Much Familiarity May Not Be Good

| John 7:1-2,10,25-30

Could the authorities have realized that he is the Christ? But we know where he is
from. When the Christ comes, no one will know where he is from.

These statements remind us how blind the Jews are. Despite the cure of the man
born blind and the list of witnesses, they continue to reject him. And now they
discredit him because they thought that they know where Jesus came from. Are we
not the same with these people? How often do we discredit others just because we
thought that we know him or her? This passage reminds us that familiarity can
sometimes breed complacency and a lack of respect for the depth and importance of
a person or situation. It is easy to take for granted those who are closest to us or
those whom we have known for a long time, and to underestimate their true value
and significance. Sometimes the more familiar we are with someone the harder it is
to actually see their goodness and the presence of God in their lives. Often, we are
tempted to look at them and presume we “know all about them.” As a result, what
we can often do is simply highlight their faults and weaknesses in our minds and see
them only through the lens of these faults and weaknesses.

Let us take a moment and put ourselves in Jesus’ shoes. Imagine what it would be
like knowing that people hate or fear you so intensely, that they are plotting even to
kill you. This is what happened with Jesus. When Jesus went up to the Jewish Feast
of Tabernacles, there were some there who knew Him. They probably knew Him as
this ordinary son of a carpenter. Perhaps they were even from His home town. As a
result of this familiarity with Jesus they immediately doubted He could be the
Messiah. But they were, of course, very mistaken. Jesus truly was a good man. He
was a man of deep love and compassion for all peoples. He had never hurt or scorned
anyone. Yet, he challenged the Jewish officials and now, they were beginning to plot
against him. Did these men truly disagree with Jesus’ teaching? Or were they simply
afraid of his popularity and influence with the people?

This presents a great lesson for us. It’s the lesson of being judgmental and overly
critical of others we know well. The more we know about someone the more we will
be aware of their faults and weaknesses. And if we are not careful, we will focus in on
those qualities rather than on the good qualities God wants us to see.
This is what happened with Jesus. No, He did not have any actual bad qualities. He
was perfect. But there were most likely many parts of His life that invited the false
judgment and criticism of others. His self-confidence, the authority He manifested in
His teaching, the extraordinary compassion He had toward sinners, etc., were all
exceptional qualities that some could not understand. And, as a result, they chose to
be critical. “We know where He is from,” they said. In other words, they did not think
that someone they knew could be filled with greatness.

Today might be a good day to ask ourselves: “Why do I believe Jesus became one of
us?” As we reflect on this passage, we are invited to consider our own relationship
with Jesus. Do we view him as a familiar figure, whose teachings and actions we have
become accustomed to over time? Or do we approach him with a sense of awe and
reverence, recognizing that there is always more to learn and understand about his
life and message?

Furthermore, this passage challenges us to examine our own attitudes towards those
around us, particularly those whom we have become familiar with over time. Do we
take them for granted, assuming that we already know everything there is to know
about them? Or do we approach them with a sense of wonder and respect,
recognizing that there may be hidden depths and meanings that we have yet to
discover? Are you able to see beyond any apparent weakness they have and see the
hand of God at work? Are you able to see beyond the surface and see the value and
dignity of their lives? When you can see the goodness of others, point it out, and be
grateful for it, you will actually be seeing and loving the manifest goodness of God.
God is alive and active in every soul around you. It is your responsibility to see that
goodness and love it. This takes true humility on your part but, in the end, it’s a way
of loving God in your midst.

In the next two weeks, this drama will continue to unfold. Will we allow this drama to
unfold in our personal lives? Will we walk and talk with Jesus? Or will we stay at a safe
distance from Jesus and simply be a bystander? No one else can make this choice for
us! In the days ahead, what will we choose? In summary, the Gospel reminds us of the
danger of over familiarity and calls us to approach the people and situations in our
lives with a spirit of openness and reverence.