November 9, 2016

FAITH FIRST YIELDS WISDOM AND PEACE

John 7:1–31

Scott Bodell
Wednesday's Devo

November 9, 2016

Wednesday's Devo

November 9, 2016

Central Truth

When you put your faith and trust in Christ, He provides wisdom to guide your words and deeds. The world cannot measure you.

 

Key Verse | John 7:17

"If anyone's will is to do God's will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority." (John 7:17)

John 7:1–31

Jesus at the Feast of Booths

After this Jesus went about in Galilee. He would not go about in Judea, because the Jews 1 7:1 Or Judeans; Greek Ioudaioi probably refers here to Jewish religious leaders, and others under their influence, in that time were seeking to kill him. Now the Jews' Feast of Booths was at hand. So his brothers 2 7:3 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 5, 10 said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea, that your disciples also may see the works you are doing. For no one works in secret if he seeks to be known openly. If you do these things, show yourself to the world.” For not even his brothers believed in him. Jesus said to them, “My time has not yet come, but your time is always here. The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify about it that its works are evil. You go up to the feast. I am not 3 7:8 Some manuscripts add yet going up to this feast, for my time has not yet fully come.” After saying this, he remained in Galilee.

10 But after his brothers had gone up to the feast, then he also went up, not publicly but in private. 11 The Jews were looking for him at the feast, and saying, “Where is he?” 12 And there was much muttering about him among the people. While some said, “He is a good man,” others said, “No, he is leading the people astray.” 13 Yet for fear of the Jews no one spoke openly of him.

14 About the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and began teaching. 15 The Jews therefore marveled, saying, “How is it that this man has learning, 4 7:15 Or this man knows his letters when he has never studied?” 16 So Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me. 17 If anyone's will is to do God's 5 7:17 Greek his will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority. 18 The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood. 19 Has not Moses given you the law? Yet none of you keeps the law. Why do you seek to kill me?” 20 The crowd answered, “You have a demon! Who is seeking to kill you?” 21 Jesus answered them, “I did one work, and you all marvel at it. 22 Moses gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath. 23 If on the Sabbath a man receives circumcision, so that the law of Moses may not be broken, are you angry with me because on the Sabbath I made a man's whole body well? 24 Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”

Can This Be the Christ?

25 Some of the people of Jerusalem therefore said, “Is not this the man whom they seek to kill? 26 And here he is, speaking openly, and they say nothing to him! Can it be that the authorities really know that this is the Christ? 27 But we know where this man comes from, and when the Christ appears, no one will know where he comes from.” 28 So Jesus proclaimed, as he taught in the temple, “You know me, and you know where I come from. But I have not come of my own accord. He who sent me is true, and him you do not know. 29 I know him, for I come from him, and he sent me.” 30 So they were seeking to arrest him, but no one laid a hand on him, because his hour had not yet come. 31 Yet many of the people believed in him. They said, “When the Christ appears, will he do more signs than this man has done?”

Footnotes

[1] 7:1 Or Judeans; Greek Ioudaioi probably refers here to Jewish religious leaders, and others under their influence, in that time
[2] 7:3 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 5, 10
[3] 7:8 Some manuscripts add yet
[4] 7:15 Or this man knows his letters
[5] 7:17 Greek his

Dive Deeper | John 7:1–31

In this passage, Jesus’ brothers urge Him to promote Himself at the Feast of Tabernacles. Then, when Jesus begins to teach, His knowledge is questioned because He wasn’t a formally educated rabbi. And finally, because He healed a man on the Sabbath, He’s accused of breaking the law. Out of their doubts of who Jesus is, the Jews want Him measured and judged by the world’s standards.

But Jesus demonstrates a laser focus on His mission. He refuses to promote Himself or debate against worldly knowledge. Jesus is all about glorifying the One who sent Him (verse 18). Because of faith and trust in His Heavenly Father, He knows when to speak, what to say, and what to do.  He’s showing us that when we put our faith and trust in the Lord first, our path through life is guided by proper wisdom.

For many years as a believer, my faith was flat and ineffective. I refused to follow God’s will before trying to perform for the world. It started early and continued into my marriage and parenting I was constantly measuring myself and trying to compete in all things. Though I scaled a few spiritual mountaintops, my knowledge—even from studying Scripture—did not reveal what was missing: a trust strong enough to listen and follow. When I spoke, it was by my authority, not His.

Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

I’m still learning how to put my faith first and lean into my Savior for guidance. He’s taught me that studying and memorizing Scripture opens my eyes to His timing, His wisdom, and His glory. And I’ve learned that when I can’t speak on His authority, I need to shut up and listen.

I’m hooked for sure. When study in the Word or my prayer time with God suffers, I’m quickly the same anxious worldly performer, looking for respect. Thankfully, the Lord uses some wonderful believers in my life to relight my path.

Intentionally pursue the will of God first. Learn to walk with Him daily.

Discussion Questions

1. How does putting your faith first play out in your life?

2. How often do you seek answers to life’s questions in prayer or in the Bible? What scriptural passages are important to you and why? Have you tried memorizing them?

3. What’s keeping you from knowing a deeper day-to-day relationship with Christ? Who can you share this with to chart a better path pursuing righteousness?