PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: John 7:14-23
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Has not Moses given you the law? Yet not one of you keeps the law.” (John 7:19)
How could Jesus accuse these religious people of not keeping the law?
Their whole life was devoted to orthodoxy, to being faithful to ‘the word of God’.
They were diligent students of scripture, and were serious about keeping it completely.
And yet they are secretly trying to have Jesus killed for breaking their rules.
Jesus sees beyond their orthodoxy to their self-motivated hearts (7:18).
They wanted to be right, and were confident in their rightness, against others.
Not even God (in the flesh) measured up to their orthodoxy.
In their desire to defend circumcision, they were dishonouring it instead.
How can it be that people committed to orthodoxy do the opposite of what they intend?
I cannot speak for others, but as a former’ orthodoxy’ christian, I get it.
Our devotion to ‘being right’ closes us off to others, and to God as well.
As far as Jesus is concerned, this certitude is an expression of self, not humility.
Like Paul, we need to lose our orthodoxy to find rightness in Jesus (Philippians 3:4-11)
And this is a journey that we do not finish until Jesus returns (Philippians 1:6, 3:12-14).
PRAYER
Lord, I am only ‘right’ because of you – justified by faith – and not because my interpretation or perspective is right. Help me to consider my orthodoxy as garbage, and to trust in you instead!
” he who seeks the glory of the one who sent him is a man of truth”. Seeking Jesus is seeking the truth. I get in the way often enough – praying that the HS will continue to ‘prick me’ when I do – so that I can find my way back to you Lord Jesus! Some days I feel you so close! Thank you Jesus. Help me to help others experience you too! As you have helped get away from a ‘manual’ approach to a faith approach – help me to help others. Seeing scripture from the perspective of finding the truth in Jesus -makes me revel in you more and more!
“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.” I’m reminded that checking intentions needs to be a constant struggle – am I using the blessings that the Lord has provided for personal glory or for His glory?
It’s fascinating to see that even millenia ago, Christ in his teachings pushed against cognitive dissonance in society that pushed back – some things don’t change.
I am a Jesus follower trying to do His will and not my own. He empowers me by His Spirit and enables me. Others need to see that in me and through me that I am an instrument of His peace and He receives all the praise and glory and not I. All for Jesus also on this day for He has given this day as a gift to serve and praise Him.
Not what my hands have done can save my guilty soul;
Not what my toiling body works can make my spirit whole.
Not what I feel or what I do can give me peace with God;
Not all my prayers nor cries nor tears can bear this heavy load.
Thy work alone, O precious Christ, can ease this weight of sin;
Thy blood alone, O Lamb of God, can give me peace within.
Thy love alone, O Father God, is what my spirit needs
Now rid me of this dark unrest, and set this captive free
Your voice alone, O Lord, can speak to me of grace;
Your power alone, O Lord, does all my sin erase.
No other work but Yours, no other blood will do;
No other strength but Your great power can bear me safely through.