Yes, it seems to us that Jesus would be treated the same if his first advent were repeated in our day. People received Jesus at his first advent according to their heart attitude. It is reasonable to assume that this would also be true if in the same way he returned to our world now.
The common people heard our Lord gladly and marveled at the gracious words that proceeded out of his mouth. They wished to make him their king on one occasion as he triumphantly entered the city of Jerusalem before his death.
Mark 6:2: “When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were utterly amazed. Where did this man get all these things? they said. What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What great miracles are being done by his hands!”
It was the Scribes and Pharisees, the religious leaders of that time, who opposed and persecuted the Lord and finally induced the multitude to cry out against him.
There are several notable characteristics of those who rejected Jesus as his first advent, especially of the religious leadership. They were critical of the righteous life of John the Baptist and of the holy life of Jesus. Matthew 11:18-19: “For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He has a demon! The Son of Man came eating and drinking and they say, Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax-gatherers and sinners!”
The religious leaders were hypocritical. Matthew 23:25-26: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the dish so that the outside of it may become clean also.”
They were hungry for power and position, eager to create a hierarchy of followers, and they were very attached to their traditions of thinking, with no openness of mind to truly learn. Matthew 23:5-12: “But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments. And they love the place of honor at banquets, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and respectful greetings in the marketplaces, and being called by men, Rabbi. But do not be called Rabbi; for one is your Teacher, and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth your father; for one is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called leaders; for one is your Leader, that is Christ. But the greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.”
We see much religious hypocrisy in our day as well.
This continuing lack of acceptance of Christ and true commitment to surrender all and follow him is reflected in with Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:14: “Narrow is the way that leads to life, and few there be that find it.” This is in contrast to the “highway of holiness” described in Isaiah 35:5-10, when ALL the rest of our human family, all those throughout human history who never heard of or accepted Christ will be resurrected on earth, to be healed in body and mind, with the opportunity to know Christ and to experience the process of a walk of repentance and growth that leads to holy character.
“Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done ON EARTH as it is in heaven” Matthew 6:10.
Additional Resources
Christian Questions Podcast
Episode #1318: “What Did Jesus Really Think of the Pharisees? (Part I)”
How Jesus exposed the deep hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees
Preview Video
CQ Rewind Show Notes
Episode #1275: “Why Did Jesus Ride Into Jerusalem?”
How prophecy, history and entering Jerusalem revealed Jesus’ purpose
Preview Video
CQ Rewind Show Notes