Today’s scripture: John 7:1-13 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Robert Ferguson):
I was intrigued by our reading for today. John gives us yet another perspective on the days leading up to the murder of Jesus. Immediately we are faced with the revelation that Jesus had to hide because some in Judea were waiting to take his life. What was it about this man that caused some to want to kill him? Clearly, people do not like to be told that they have gotten it all wrong.
There are times when being a Christian or a follower of Christ stands directly against the world. It can be a radical position, particularly in the society and culture we live in. Who is it that hasn’t joined in on a group of gossiping friends or hung out with a crowd that we knew full well would eventually be up to no good? I would suggest that we are all guilty. I wondered what it was that made Jesus tell his disciples, “you go on ahead, my time is not now.” These disciples, who had spent a lot of intimate time with Jesus, still did not understand him.
How many of us are guilty of trying to tell God how to do God’s business? We want to be blessed how and when we feel it is best, without regard for the fact that the creator of life and the author of the universe knows better than we how to care for us. Perhaps it is our human nature, but we always believe we know what is best. But God has a plan, and in order to see God’s plan we have to be in step with God. God doesn’t need our advice. Clearly if we had all of the answers we wouldn’t need God — and we all need God.
We find the admirers, those who believed Jesus to be really nothing more than a “good” man. This whole religion thing is nice and going to church is so nice, and of course it looks good to call oneself a Christian. But when we understand the true Divinity of the Christ and we fully embrace the life-creating, life-changing, life-rearranging power of Jesus, how can we remain passive admirers from a distance?
Lastly, we find the despisers — those who simply do not believe in Christ or his power. Not all despisers sit outside of the church. Every Sunday we sit with people in church who don’t believe in the healing power of Jesus. They may believe that he existed and they may believe in his message but clearly they do not believe that he changes lives and that his blood holds our salvation. If everyone who attended church believed in the Christ would there be so much hopelessness, worry, and fear? Surely we have all been guilty of these things, but daily we need to be reminded that we are not alone. We do not need to face trials and situations feeling defeated or overwhelmed.
If I am being honest, I know we all struggle, stumble, and have doubts. Which of these are you? Are you an adviser, an admirer, or a despiser? Jesus is calling for all of us to get to know him. Don’t stand outside and grumble about what you heard someone else say or what you believe based on your own understanding. Jesus says open your heart and know me — fully!
Thought for the day: Until we know Jesus as fully human and fully divine we are in possession of a faulty picture of who we are and who Jesus is. The challenge is for us to be clear on the nature of Jesus and his work.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.