Respectability refers to being admired and considered important by others. Usually, it relates to one’s character or reputation. The Bible character, King Herod Antipas, knew and respected John the Baptist, even though his wife manipulated him into having John beheaded. When he heard of Jesus’ respectable reputation for preaching and working miracles, He asked who is this about whom I hear such things? And he desired to see him (Luke 9:9, ESV).
Interestingly, Jesus knew He was going to a cross in Jerusalem to die. He wanted to know before He went if there was anyone who had discovered who He was. One day, Jesus left the crowds to pray alone. Only his disciples were with him, and he asked them, “Who do people say I am?” (Luke 9:18, NLT2). The disciples reported some people thought He was John the Baptist reincarnated. Others speculated He was Elijah, who the Bible said would come in the last days (Malachi 4:5). Jesus then asked, “But who do you say I am?” Peter replied, “You are the Messiah sent from God!” (Luke 9:20, NLT2). Jesus came back, “God bless you, Simon, son of Jonah! You didn’t get that answer out of books or from teachers. My Father in heaven, God himself, let you in on this secret of who I really am (Matthew 16:17, MSG)
They had discovered who He was; now Jesus had to teach them what that discovery meant. He had to take their ideas of God, and His ways and purposes, and turn them upside down. We find that is what He set Himself to do from this point on.
It is intriguing to observe spiritual growth. As with Peter, no man can properly explain the reality of who Christ is. We can learn about Him, but until we encounter Him through the Holy Spirit, our natural man cannot connect the dots. But that is only the birthing point to knowing Him, His ways, and His sovereignty. The Holy Spirit reveals more truth of who He is, but if what He reveals differs from our imagined concept of Him, our blinded mind simply will not allow us to receive the truth. Shortly after Peter had spoken the revelation given him, Jesus explained to the disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and what would happen to Him there. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” (Matthew 16:22, NIV). How could he do such a thing to Jesus? We find after the resurrection and right before He ascended into Heaven, the disciples STILL had not received all of what Jesus had been teaching. (Acts 1:6)
I dare say, after the Holy Spirit has regenerated us, we continue to create and carry distorted ideas of God, His sovereignty and plan. If He doesn’t perform according to our preconceived ideas, we too rebuke God! Some even withdraw from Him if He doesn’t heal or deliver them, or a loved one, as they expected. I know because I’ve gone down that path and seen others doing the same. The only way to minimize this from occurring is to listen to understand what you read as you study the Bible and pray to hear with your inner voice the Spirit’s continuing revelation as you reflect on it. Making this a practice in your daily life will grow the fruit of His Spirit in you resulting in respectability. As that happens, you will be quicker to respond, as Jesus did in the Garden of Gethsemane. You will then be a positive influence and gain the respect of those who cross your path.