What was the great opposition to Jesus during his earthly ministry?
The great opposition came from the Jews of Jesus' day, especially the Pharisees, who were proud of their lineage and genealogy as children of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They relied on physical birth, but Jesus taught that believers are born of God, not of blood or human will.
Les explains that during Jesus’ earthly ministry He was still dealing with the nation of Israel. The great opposition came from the Jews of His day, especially the Pharisees, with whom He had most to do. They were proud of their lineage and genealogy—they were not children of Esau or Ishmael, but of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They relied on physical descent, yet John 1:13 declares believers are born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. This truth flew in the face of their human thinking, but Scripture must be our authority.