In today’s passage, Jesus does arrive at the festival quietly, yet he is already the center of debate. Some think he’s good, others believe he’s misleading people. Meanwhile, the religious leaders wonder how he could have such wisdom without training.
This passage highlights a common human struggle: How do we discern truth? The people of Jesus’ time, much like today, formed their opinions based on limited understanding, external appearances, and assumptions. Jesus calls them to judge rightly—not by shallow standards, but with deeper discernment.
He exposes their hypocrisy: they criticize him for healing on the Sabbath while upholding circumcision on the Sabbath as lawful. This isn’t just about rules—it’s about how easily we bend what we think is right when it suits us. Do we truly seek justice and truth, or do we let our biases and self-interest shape our judgments?
Jesus invites his hearers (then and now) to seek wisdom beyond mere appearances. His words challenge us to ask: Am I willing to let God reshape my understanding, even when it’s uncomfortable?
John 7:11-24
The Jewish leaders were looking for Jesus at the festival. They kept asking, “Where is he?” The crowds were murmuring about him. “He’s a good man,” some said, but others were saying, “No, he tricks the people.” No one spoke about him publicly, though, for fear of the Jewish authorities.
Halfway through the festival, Jesus went up to the temple and started to teach. Astonished, the Jewish leaders asked, “He’s never been taught! How has he mastered the Law?”
Jesus responded, “My teaching isn’t mine but comes from the one who sent me. Whoever wants to do God’s will can tell whether my teaching is from God or whether I speak on my own. Those who speak on their own seek glory for themselves. Those who seek the glory of him who sent me are people of truth; there’s no falsehood in them. Didn’t Moses give you the Law? Yet none of you keep the Law. Why do you want to kill me?”
The crowd answered, “You have a demon. Who wants to kill you?”
Jesus replied, “I did one work, and you were all astonished. Because Moses gave you the commandment about circumcision (although it wasn’t Moses but the patriarchs), you circumcise a man on the Sabbath. If a man can be circumcised on the Sabbath without breaking Moses’ Law, why are you angry with me because I made an entire man well on the Sabbath? Don’t judge according to appearances. Judge with right judgment.”
Psalm 25:4-5
Make your ways known to me, Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth—teach it to me—because you are the God who saves me. I put my hope in you all day long.
Prayer
God,
Wisdom…I continue to pray for wisdom. And discernment.
I confess that I don’t always see things clearly. I am quick to form opinions, to rely on appearances, to judge without full understanding. But you see beyond the surface. You judge with truth, righteousness, and mercy.
Teach me to seek wisdom—not the kind that feeds my own biases, but the kind that comes from you. Help me to look deeper, to listen well, and to be open to truth, even when it challenges me. When I am tempted to dismiss or misjudge, remind me of your way—one of patience, discernment, and grace.
Through your Spirit, reshape my understanding as needed. Give me a heart that seeks your justice and a mind that longs for your truth. May I see as you see and love as you love.
By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.