PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: John 7:1-13
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that its works are evil.” (John 7:7)
Question, who was hating Jesus… was it everyone, or specifically some people?
John says that some people thought Jesus was a good man, and some others a deceiver (7:12).
It seems the hating world included the religious leaders and Roman rulers (7:11,13).
My sense of Jesus is that he spoke differently to people, depending on their attitude.
He was very firm in testifying against religious leaders and ruling officials.
He was very gentle in testifying against ordinary everyday and struggling people.
He spoke about sin and evil, but was gentle and humble with the humble and humbled.
It is important for us to face the ‘evil’ that infects us, and the world.
This is how we can find the hope and the help we need to break free from its grip.
But if we are closed to Jesus and his love, we will hate his convicting grace.
Even his own brothers were closed to him and his message (did they hate him?).
In my experience few people hate Jesus… it is his closed followers that they hate.
As Jesus followers, we want to draw people to Jesus, not give them cause to hate him.
This doesn’t mean we can’t speak about evil, but we need to do it like Jesus did!
PRAYER
Lord, I welcome your gentle convicting grace and how it helps me and gives me hope. May your gentle convicting grace show through us, so that people will not hate you because of us.
“because my time has not yet fully come” – I think in many ways I act like Jesus’ brothers – thinking what I should do for Jesus and on my schedule. Jesus knew better and discerned what was happening and how it could work against his mission. I too have to learn to listen to the spirit – actively listen and pray. Act like Nehemiah – pray and wait on the Lord for the right opportunity – to be prepared, yes – but not to preempt – drive ahead as if on my agenda. I’ve had it happen that the spirit strongly forbade me to share what I thought would be a good opportunity. I prayed about it and got the strong sense that no this is not the time. Lord help me to discern and not be falsely led by my own ambitions.
He is good or He is not. The people followed Him because – they wanted to be fed/healed/hear Him? Timing. Ministry – where/when? Open/closed hearts? At all times Jesus was there as He is today. And our presence – His followers – live at peace with all while following the Master, being instruments of His peace.
Make me a channel of your peace.
Where there is hatred let me bring your love.
Where there is injury, your pardon, Lord
And where there’s doubt, true faith in you.
Make me a channel of your peace
Where there’s despair in life, let me bring hope
Where there is darkness, only light
And where there’s sadness, ever joy.
Oh, Master grant that I may never seek
So much to be consoled as to console
To be understood as to understand
To be loved as to love with all my soul.