14Not until halfway through the festival did Jesus go up to the temple courts and begin to teach. 15The Jews there were amazed and asked, “How did this man get such learning without having been taught?”
16Jesus answered, “My teaching is not my own. It comes from the one who sent me. 17Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. 18Whoever speaks on their own does so to gain personal glory, but he who seeks the glory of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him. 19Has not Moses given you the law? Yet not one of you keeps the law. Why are you trying to kill me?”
20“You are demon-possessed,” the crowd answered. “Who is trying to kill you?”
25At that point some of the people of Jerusalem began to ask, “Isn’t this the man they are trying to kill? 26Here he is, speaking publicly, and they are not saying a word to him. Have the authorities really concluded that he is the Messiah? 27But we know where this man is from; when the Messiah comes, no one will know where he is from.” (John 7:14-20, 25-27)
Thoughts: How did this man get such teaching? Jesus' answer was that it was from God, and we would know it was from God if we sought to follow God. Jesus sought to honor God, and those who seek to do the same- and not honor themselves, can see the beauty of His teachings. People who see only their own earthly fame and selfish popularity have a hard time hearing Jesus' teaching of love and grace.
So the Pharisees, who focused on only obeying the Law more than glorifying God, had a hard time with Jesus' teaching. In fact, it was to the point that they definitely wanted to arrest Him, and wished to kill him. When he confronted them, they said, "Who... us? Kill...you?" Of course later (as recorded in this chapter), the leaders rebuked the Temple guards for not arresting him because of his amazing teaching (vs. 45,46). Later the people recognized, "Isn't this the man the authorities are trying to kill?" (vs. 25). Of course, Jesus knew he came to die (Mt. 10:45). He knew his purpose was to honor God- whether his time be short or now. We too should seek to honor God no matter the cost. Jesus was honorable because He honored His Father.
So the Pharisees, who focused on only obeying the Law more than glorifying God, had a hard time with Jesus' teaching. In fact, it was to the point that they definitely wanted to arrest Him, and wished to kill him. When he confronted them, they said, "Who... us? Kill...you?" Of course later (as recorded in this chapter), the leaders rebuked the Temple guards for not arresting him because of his amazing teaching (vs. 45,46). Later the people recognized, "Isn't this the man the authorities are trying to kill?" (vs. 25). Of course, Jesus knew he came to die (Mt. 10:45). He knew his purpose was to honor God- whether his time be short or now. We too should seek to honor God no matter the cost. Jesus was honorable because He honored His Father.
Prayer: Lord, your honor is my purpose. Help me not to lose sight of that, and to give myself fully to you.
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