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Leg 2 Day 81
The Turning Point
Jesus Among Us
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Scripture:
John 7:10-24
JOHN 7:10–24 (CEV) After Jesus’ brothers had gone to the festival, he went secretly, without telling anyone. During the festival the leaders of the people looked for Jesus and asked, “Where is he?” The crowds even got into an argument about him. Some were saying, “Jesus is a good man,” while others were saying, “He is lying to everyone.” But the people were afraid of their leaders, and none of them talked in public about him. When the festival was about half over, Jesus went into the temple and started teaching. The leaders were surprised and said, “How does this man know so much? He has never been taught!” Jesus replied: I am not teaching something I thought up. What I teach comes from the one who sent me. If you really want to obey God, you will know if what I teach comes from God or from me. If I wanted to bring honor to myself, I would speak for myself. But I want to honor the one who sent me. This is why I tell the truth and not a lie. Didn’t Moses give you the Law? Yet none of you obey it! So why do you want to kill me? The crowd replied, “You’re crazy! What makes you think someone wants to kill you?” Jesus answered: I worked one miracle, and it amazed you. Moses commanded you to circumcise your sons. But it wasn’t really Moses who gave you this command. It was your ancestors, and even on the Sabbath you circumcise your sons in order to obey the Law of Moses. Why are you angry with me for making someone completely well on the Sabbath? Don’t judge by appearances. Judge by what is right.
Life Lessons from Jesus:
The Festival of Shelters, or Booths, is a Jewish celebration commemorating the years that God’s people spent in tents in the wilderness, traveling toward the promised land. Jerusalem would fill with tents as people honored their heritage, and the feast was perfectly timed to take place at harvest. It was a joyful occasion to celebrate God’s provision through the harvest and to remember His past protection and provision. Each day during this feast, people would follow the priest to the Pool of Siloam while chanting psalms. The priest would dip his golden pitcher into the pool, and the people would recite Isaiah 12:3: “With joy you will drink deeply from the fountain of salvation!” (NLT). Then the people would follow the priest back to the altar, where the water would be poured out as an offering to the Lord. Jesus’s teachings at this festival mark the beginning of the end for Him in terms of His road to the cross. He’s finally teaching truths blatantly, laying them all out plainly. Even previously, although people tended to like Jesus in general—thinking of Him as a good person who healed the sick and fed people—they didn’t always like some of His more intense messages. This is a turning point in His ministry. From here on out, the opposition will get worse and worse.
The WAY:
Consider these questions as you reflect on today’s reading:
How do people’s opinions about Jesus in this passage compare to what people think of Jesus today?
In terms of the big picture, what is going on here between Jesus and the religious leaders and the rest of the crowd?
Jesus told the people, “Don’t judge by appearances. Judge by what is right.” In what way might you have judged someone’s action by its appearance rather than taking time to evaluate that action by what is right according to God’s character and Word?
Prayer:
Jesus, You poured out Your life so that I could “drink deeply from the fountain of salvation.” Thank You for Your sacrifice, which makes salvation possible. In Your name, amen.
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