SCRIPTURE: John 7:25-36
“You do not know him, but I know him because I am from him and he sent me.” (John 7:29)
To know God is more than to know about God.
These people were very religious, but according to Jesus they did not know God.
They attended Jewish feasts, participated in Jewish practices.
But their hearts were not close to God’s heart.
God’s heart is for justice, sincerity, generosity, humility, mercy.
Those who knew God would have recognized the God-shaped life of Jesus.
Jesus was modelling the kind of life and love that God commanded.
There should have been no doubt for those who knew God.
But the subtle, deceptive power of religion can blind people to the God they worship.
They measured Jesus by their rules and rituals, but their religious add-ons.
It is unsettling to think that people who should have recognized Jesus did not.
Makes me wonder, would we recognize or support Jesus if He came back today?
Are we going through religious motions, but not close to God’s heart?
If Jesus came back today, would the church crucify Him too?
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, we have our own centuries of religious add-ons. Are they holding us back from knowing You, and joining with You in what God cares about?
Observation/Application
Once again we are told that Jesus is from God and yet . . . many do not believe that. The reasons for not believing are . . . what He does on ‘Sondays’, spends too much time with the down and outer – the outsiders, they know where He came from and can anything good come from there? But the writer tells you and me that He comes from God. And what do I think? How do I manipulate Christ to my own desires? How does He fit my framework?
Open my heart Lord and help me see Him more clearly so that I honour Him daily in all I do and say.
Beautiful Lord, wonderful Saviour
I know for sure all of my days are held in Your hand
Crafted into Your perfect plan
You gently called me into Your presence
Guiding me by Your Holy Spirit
Teach me dear Lord, to live all of my life
Through Your eyes
And I’m captured by Your Holy calling
Set me apart, I know You’re drawing me to Yourself
Lead me Lord, I pray
Take me and mold me, use me, fill me
I give my life to the Potter’s hand
Call me, You guide me, lead me, walk beside me
I give my life to the Potter’s hand
You gently call me into Your presence
Guiding me by Your Holy Spirit
Teach me dear Lord, to live all of my life
Through Your eyes
I’m captured by Your Holy calling
Set me apart, I know You’re drawing me to Yourself
Lead me Lord, I pray
Take me and mold me, use me, fill me
I give my life to my Potter’s hand
Call me, guide me, lead me, walk beside me
I give my life to the Potter’s hand
Take me and mold me, use me, fill me
I give my life to the Potter’s hand
Call me, guide me, lead me, walk beside me
I give my life to the Potter’s hand