Yes the Pharisees and Sadducees rejected Jesus in part because He was a threat to their way of life. Not all Jews rejected the Messiah. Well, don't forget the Romans they were eager to crucify him because he claimed to be the king of the Jews. Those Pharisees and Sadducees were under the Roman brutal rule, which include crucifying, throwing people to the Lions, etc.
What kind of Messiah are you following?
Yes it was a brutal regime historically. Your question is a good question, and had me thinking for a second.
I follow a Messiah that loves me so much that he saw my depravity, my sin, and my evil ways, and still had himself put on a cross to die for me. (I am included in the whole world).
Then after He died He restored to me the breath of life or the Holy Spirit that was lost in Adam.
He did this so that not only would I go to Heaven when I physically die, but so that He can come from Heaven to me, whilst I live.
That the life He breathed into me is eternal from that moment on, and no one will EVER take that, Him from me.
That is the Messiah that I know. One that does not hold my sin against me, one that will finish the work in me that he started.
That He will do this in the midst of my life, my sin, my suffering, my joy, my sadness, my mistakes, my service.
That Messiah is love!
That Messiah is mercy!
That Messiah is gracious!
That Messiah now lives in me, and you and all that answer His call for eternity.
God is an awesome God, to be revered, to be honored and to be loved. Because He loved me first.
