John 8:32 Illusion and Misunderstanding
Let me ask you a question. Sometimes mirages appear in the desert. If we take a picture of them, do they appear in the picture? Obviously, mirages are not real images but false images. Therefore people think mirages will not appear in pictures. However, mirages do appear in pictures. The reason is, like the human eye, cameras are also susceptible to illusions. If we fall victim to our illusions and follow mirages, we will lose our way and something bad will happen to us. Likewise, if we have a misunderstanding by thinking or listening incorrectly, we will suffer losses both economically and spiritually. That is, illusions cause us to misunderstand, which causes us to make mistakes, and which leads to losses.
Long ago in Korea, agriculture was the major means of living and as such, Koreans were extremely attentive to the weather. They divided the year into 24 seasons, but the divisions were often incorrect because of abnormal weather. In particular, the KyongChip season, which means frogs and animals appear from their holes, was most often inaccurate. This was because the animals on occasion misunderstood the temperature and appeared from their holes before the KyongChip season hit. As a result of this misunderstanding, the animals occasionally died because of the sudden coldness.
Now more than ever, there is great confusion, not only environmentally but also spiritually, as many people have an illusion and misunderstanding against their will, and they suffer losses and damages. If they misunderstand other people, they will hate, destroy and kill each other, and tragedies will happen to them. Therefore, we must not follow false images, but instead follow the real image, which is the word of God, the everlasting truth. I pray that all of you will follow the truth and enjoy success and joyfulness in your life.
It is no exaggeration to say that the tragedy of humans started from illusion and misunderstanding. God said to Adam, “You must not eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it, you will surely die.” (Genesis 2:17)
But Satan came to Eve and said to her, “You will not die. When you eat from it, your eyes will be opened and you will be like God.” (Genesis 3:4-5)
Obviously the words of Satan was not the truth, but instead a lie. However, Eve was enticed and she misunderstood. Furthermore when she saw the fruit of the tree, she thought, “It is good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom.” (Genesis 3:6) So she doubted the words of God and thought, “Maybe God’s words, you will surely die when you eat from it, might be wrong.” She misunderstood and misjudged, and thus took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband and he ate it. Her misunderstanding killed not only herself but also her husband and her children too and her misunderstanding caused the greatest tragedy in human history.
Let’s see the first case of murder in human history. Adam had two sons, Cain and Abel. The younger brother Abel offered God his flocks first born, which symbolized JX. But the elder brother Cain offered God some of the fruits of the soil, which symbolized humanism. God looked with favour on Abel and his offering, but not on Cain and his offering. So Cain was very angry and his face was downcast. Cain thought, “Why has God not received my offering? Obviously, God hates me and loves only my brother!” But the real reason God did not receive his offering was not because God hated him but was because his offering was inappropriate. But Cain misunderstood God, and he envied his younger brother and killed him. His misunderstanding caused a big tragedy and after Cain killed Abel, he was not happy, but instead was in constant fear. His misunderstanding not only led himself to tragedy but also affected others. Therefore we have to know the truth in order not to misunderstand.
Today’s scripture tells us, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32) It means that when we know the truth, we can be free from anxiety and sorrow. Unfortunately, it is sad that many do not follow the truth and the real image, but instead follow lies and false images, which brings misfortune and tragedy upon themselves.
Let’s see Judas Iscariot. He misunderstood Jesus for a political leader and thought that Jesus would give him a high position in this world. He believed that Jesus would appoint him as Minister of Finance because he was in charge of the treasury at the time. But when Judas Iscariot looked at Jesus, he realized that Jesus had no political and financial ambition, but only the heart for the kingdom of heaven. Furthermore, when Jesus told his disciples that he would die on the cross, Judas Iscariot thought, “Jesus is useless for my dreams!” From then on Judas Iscariot began to dislike Jesus and he regretted following him and began to hate him. Then Satan came into his heart through hatred and this led to his betrayal of Jesus. After that, he felt the qualms of conscience, but could not receive the spirit of repentance from God. His slight misunderstanding led him to hell. If he had realized his misunderstanding sooner, he would not be the man of tragedy.
The best disciple Peter also misunderstood Jesus for a political leader. So when Jesus told him that he would be killed on the cross, Peter said to Jesus, “Never Lord, this shall never happen to you!” (Matthew 16:22) Of course, these words meant that Peter did not want Jesus to be hurt. But these words also meant, “Jesus, if you die, how can I accomplish my dreams? Please use a political mean to give me something good in this world!”
Then Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me Satan! You are a stumbling block to me and you do not have in mind the things of God, but instead the things of men.” (Matthew 16:23)
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24)
From these words, Peter realized, “Ah, I misunderstood! Following Jesus is not for the sake of worldly things and it does not mean worldly ways!”
When he realized his misunderstanding, he threw it away and Satan left him. As a result, Peter could follow the ways of the best disciple. If he could not realize his misunderstanding, he would say to Jesus, “Lord, I’m ashamed of you! Just seconds ago you said to me, blessed are you Simon, son of Jonah! But now you tell me, Satan get behind me! Lord I am very disappointed with you!”
If Peter did not throw away his misunderstanding, Satan would have captured him through his misunderstanding and hatred and Peter might also be in danger of betraying Jesus like Judas Iscariot.
Bothers and sisters, when we live with others in this world, we sometimes misunderstand each other. This occurs especially between husband and wives, as it is natural that they misunderstand each other. But don’t forget! When misunderstanding happens, we have to remember the words of God to overcome the misunderstanding and we have to throw away the hatred that is caused by misunderstanding.
Illusion and misunderstanding are not big sins. But if we do not rid ourselves of misunderstanding, it will destroy ourselves, our family and our church. Therefore, let’s know the truth and throw away misunderstanding, sorrow and terrible memories caused by misunderstanding and let’s enjoy freedom and happiness together. Amen!