Some feel that Jesus was overprotective of his disciples. I do not think so.
As I study and follow Jesus throughout the 4 gospels what I see is divine love. In his omniscience, Jesus knew that tough roads lay ahead for the disciples (John 16:33). And while he loved them to the uttermost, He did not neglect to teach them or to warn. As the cross approached, his love for them became that much more evident, so that in his prayer (John 17) we can almost reach out and touch it.
In John 17:9-12, Jesus explained:
“I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power ofyour name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe bythat name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled”.
And then he added: “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.”
Jesus knew that his opponents were dangerous and deadly. And he knew that their animosity toward him would be redirected toward his 12 apostles. Thus, He warned them to be careful and wise: saying “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” Matthew 10:16
Jesus was concerned both for their physical welfare and their faith. He did not want the gospel supplanted by the traditions of men. So He warned them about the “Leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees” (Matthiew 16:6). The disciples discussed this among themselves, thinking that Jesus was talking about the fact that they had forgotten to take bread with them. Jesus told them that they were mistaken and that He was not talking about physical bread, but rather about the teachings of the Pharisees and the Sadducees. They were false teachers.
“11 How is it that you fail to understand that I did not speak about bread? Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” Then they understood that he did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” (Matthew 16:11-12)
R. C. Bell expressed it this way, “Our difficulty lies not in comprehending but in obeying.” The glorious hope of the Christian is more than enough to flood the soul with rejoicing, even in the midst of abounding disappointments, provided it is kept in focus by the mind. This hope is the anchor of the soul (Hebrews 6:19) which enables the child of God to endure whatever storms may come, but not, however, without prayer.Prayer is the breathing of the redeemed soul, and the cessation or neglect of it will smother and destroy spiritual life.
Knowing that these Scribes and Pharisees were a bunch of hypocrites who were heading straight to hell, Jesus warned the crowds and his disciples not to follow their example. In Mat. 23:13-33 Jesus pronounces several woes to the Scribes and pharisees. They were blind guides, and Jesus warned his followers to beware of their teachings.
Unfortunately, similar leaders are still around.
2 Peter 2:1-3 warns, “But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. 2 Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. 3 In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.”
Christians must not follow blind leaders. We must listen to what Jesus says.
In Matthew 15:14 Jesus instructs, “Leave them; they are blind guides. If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.” There are many blind guides out there today leading other blind and as followers of Christ, we must make sure to stay away from them.
How can you identify them? By comparing their message with what Jesus and his apostles taught. True preachers devote themselves to the apostles’ teachings (Acts 2:42). If anyone preaches anything contrary to what Jesus and his apostles preached then beware. Do not follow them.
So for example, Jesus stated very clearly in Mark 16:16 “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” And Peter repeated this in Acts 2:38, in the first gospel sermon calling on men and women to, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Those who are truly preaching what Jesus did, will hold fast to this very same doctrine. If not, beware.
If you are reading this article but have not yet obeyed the gospel, then we want to encourage you to follow the example of those who believed on the day of Pentecost. Repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. If you wish to obey the gospel, contact the nearest church of Christ and we will be happy to assist you.