There are several definitions for the word, “assumption” (noun), a thing that is accepted as true without proof; likewise the word ”assume” (verb), supposed to be the case without proof.
Below are some of the assumptions about Jesus that people, including his own family, had about Him.
But when the Jewish Festival of Tabernacles was near, Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do. No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” For even his own brothers did not believe in him. John 7:2-5
John 2:1-12 tells about the wedding at Cana where Jesus turned water into wine. Jesus’ disciples and family were there and experienced the first of Jesus’ signs. Then I imagine they may have been part of the crowd where the five barley loaves and two fish expanded to feed more than 5000 people.
From these signs, I can easily believe that his brothers would assume that Jesus would desire more public exposure in order to attract more followers. It might also have occurred to his brothers that Jesus’ abilities and popularity would reflect glory on them.
Therefore Jesus told them, “My time is not yet here; for you any time will do. The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that its works are evil. You go to the festival. I am not going up to this festival, because my time has not yet fully come.” After he had said this, he stayed in Galilee.
However, after his brothers had left for the festival, he went also, not publicly, but in secret. Now at the festival the Jewish leaders were watching for Jesus and asking, “Where is he?” John 7:6-11
Not until halfway through the festival did Jesus go up to the temple courts and begin to teach. The Jews there were amazed and asked, “How did this man get such learning without having been taught?” John 7:14-15
The assumption in this verse was that no one who hadn’t been taught or trained by a rabbi could have the learning to teach like Jesus did.
As I was researching the meaning of the word, assumption, I also found that assumptions are frequently inaccurate, because they are based on limited information, personal perception and, possibly pre-existing beliefs.
Also, assumptions can be the precursor to judgmental opinions about someone or something. Jesus warns about judging in Matthew 7:1-2.
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
It seems to me that Jesus gives an antidote to the infection of assumption-induced judgement:
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.
If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. John 15:9-14
Also Paul sites a remedy in Ephesians 4:32
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
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Carolyn Schmitt
