Read John 7:14-19. Circle the words that stand out to you. What is the Lord saying to you?
14 Not until halfway through the festival did Jesus go up to the temple courts and begin to teach. 15 The Jews there were amazed and asked, “How did this man get such learning without having been taught?”
16 Jesus answered, “My teaching is not my own. It comes from the one who sent me. 17 Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. 18 Whoever 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. 19 Has not Moses given you the law? Yet not one of you keeps the law. Why are you trying to kill me?”
Digging Deeper
“Wow, what a sermon? I never knew that!” or “Wow, he’s such a dynamic speaker. What a powerful speaker.” If the speaker doesn’t wow us Sunday after Sunday, woe is him!
Jesus walked into the courtyard of the Temple and began to teach. The Jewish leaders were wowed by what they heard. What wonderful insight this Jesus had on the Law. The illustrations were powerful and relevant. The people stood there with their jaws wide open. It’s incredible what is coming forth from Jesus’ mouth. They never heard anything like that.
And then, Jesus makes one “blunder”. He says to them, “Why are you trying to kill me?” Everything was going perfectly, but with that one sentence His message was lost. The attention shifted from His wonderful teaching to a shocking accusation. Do you ever wonder why did Jesus made that accusatory question? Wouldn’t it be better if He just kept silent and kept that thought to Himself? He lost His audience by making that accusatory question or did He?
Go back and read the passage again. What do we learn about the character of Jesus? Whether one is a pastor, a Sunday School teacher, a Bible study leader, a husband or wife speaking to his/her spouse or children, do we speak to find acceptance or do we speak the truth despite the cost? Do we water down the truth knowing that if we spoke honestly, things might just blow up! Is it really wiser to “keep your thoughts to yourself”?
-Kingston