Why Jesus Sometimes Said Hard Things
How to Respond When You Don’t Understand
Sometimes Jesus says things that seem hard, especially for someone who emphasized God’s love. There are moments in life that don’t feel like God loves us either.
In the following paragraphs, I’ll share a story and some insights that have helped me navigate this challenge. Hopefully, they will help you too.
Jesus Always Acts and Speaks Out of Perfect Love
A young man came to Jesus and asked Him what he should do to inherit eternal life. Jesus told him to keep the basic commandments. The young man responded, “I’ve done that, now what?” (my paraphrase)
Notice Jesus’ response: “Jesus, looking at him, LOVED him, and said to him…”
What Jesus was about to say sounded hard to this young man, but Jesus was speaking out of love for him. What Jesus said was for the young man’s benefit, not to harm him.
When Jesus told him to sell everything he had, give it to the poor, and follow Him, He wasn’t punishing the young man; He was offering him something far better.
How Can Love-Spoken Words Seem Hard?
What Jesus said sounded difficult because the young man was thinking according to the world’s values. In this area of his life, the rich young ruler was still aligned with the priorities of the world, not God’s way of thinking.
Jesus’ goal for all people is to bring the kingdom of God and offer eternal, abundant life. To do this, a change of heart is required, but also a shift in how we think.
Jesus was giving this young man the opportunity of a lifetime. He was inviting him to follow the Son of God, to hear the greatest words ever spoken, see the greatest miracles, store up treasure in eternity, and become part of changing the world.
Why Couldn’t He See It? Why Can’t We?
The young man didn’t see it that way because his heart and mind hadn’t yet grasped what life is really about. To him, Jesus’ words seemed hard because our world system values financial wealth—the freedom, security, prestige, and power that money provides.
In this area of his life, he was still thinking like a fallen world.
But Jesus made it clear: the priorities and values of the world’s system are misguided. Jesus often referred to the devil as the god of this world, and He came to change that.
Main Points: Why Jesus Said Hard Things
Jesus always spoke the truth out of love.
When Jesus’ words or actions seem hard to us, it’s often because we are not yet seeing things from the right perspective. Jesus spoke with love to help the young man, but the young man couldn’t perceive it that way due to his worldly thinking.
I believe this young man later had a change of heart, but at that moment, he didn’t understand.
I’m Suggesting: A Change in Perspective
Whenever we don’t understand what the Bible says or when life feels hard, it’s often because we haven’t yet seen that area according to God’s truth. Our thinking may still need to be renewed.
For years, even as a sincere believer, I would sometimes question God’s words. But I’ve gradually learned that God is always right and acts in love, even when I don’t understand His ways.
When I encounter difficult things, my response now is: “God, could you help me understand this?” rather than, “God, what you said isn’t loving or good, how could you say that?”
When I’m struggling with something God says, I check my heart to see where my thinking still needs to change. God is much smarter than I am, and I trust His wisdom far more than my own.
Thinking this way has opened up more insights from His word and brought me closer to Him relationally.
I Hope This Helps
I hope this perspective helps you, as it is helping me.
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