Dear Explorer,
Read John 7:11-18
Chaos and confusion. The priests were looking for Jesus, but then He suddenly shows up in the temple teaching. The people are divided in what they thought of Him. Sounds much like today's thinking.
In John 7:15, the people had a question. What was it?
What was Jesus' answer?
Jesus is talking about being led by the Holy Spirit in His inner core. Jesus says that He's not teaching His own stuff – He's teaching what God gives Him to teach.
In 1 Corinthians 2:10-16 we saw how the Holy Spirit inside of us reveals to us what God is thinking (Day 116)! That's amazing! That's supernatural. And that's exactly what Jesus was doing – He was letting God teach Him what to say and do. And He was obedient. If you want to see power in your life - then begin obeying what God is showing and teaching you.
Read John 7:19-31
John 7:24 has an important command. What is it?
Can appearances be deceiving?
1 Samuel 16:7b says “…for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (NASB)
I believe that this is referring to the inner core.
We have already discussed the rest of these teachings at other times. Judging and not judging (Day 86) and keeping of the Sabbath (Day 68).
Notice in John 7:30 that it says that the crowd tried to seize Him, but they could not. What do you think that means?
I think it means that God was protecting Jesus supernaturally. Does He do that for us?
Yes, in many, many ways. Sometimes He allows to have His followers martyred and killed or to be thrown in prison or tortured for their faith. But other times, He supernaturally protects them and carries them safely through. We have a mighty God who protects us from more things than we will ever know!
When I was in college, I liked to wear a popular bracelet called a “Bear-Scare”. It was a piece of rawhide tied around my wrist. It had 3 knots tied in it. I liked it because it looked cool with jeans. When people would ask about it, I would tell them that it was a “Bear-Scare.” When they would look puzzled, I would add, “You haven't seen any bears around here lately, have you?”
Now you know that that was just a silly college prank. But seriously, God is protecting you 24 x 7. The ceiling hasn't fallen on you. A plane has not crashed into you, you haven't been attacked by a lion or bear! etc. etc. God is so good and many times we never know what He has protected us from. But I believe that He is constantly blessing us with His protection.
Maybe we should say thank you!
In His service, dale
Next study