The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in John 7:47-49,
"'You mean he has deceived you also?' the Pharisees retorted. 'Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed in him? No! But this mob that knows nothing of the law—there is a curse on them.'"
The chief priests and Pharisees had sent the temple guards to go arrest Jesus who was teaching in the temple courts. When they returned empty-handed, the chief priests demanded to know why. The guards said they had never heard anything like Jesus' teaching, "'No one ever spoke the way this man does,' the guards replied." Verse 46.
This, of course, outraged the chief priests whose heated response is given in verses 47-49. I note the strong accusation of the chief priests, that the guards had allowed themselves to be deceived by Jesus' teachings.
I find it remarkable how people can be 180 degrees wrong and yet be so adamant about their perspective. Jesus spoke the truth, and these leaders of the Jews rejected the truth and framed it as falsehood. They were entirely confident that Jesus Christ was not the Son of God and that he was misleading people.
Truth is not determined by how impassioned people might be, how loud their voices might be, how strident they might be. Truth lies elsewhere. We might hope people hold to truth with determination, passion and stridency. Unfortunately, falsehood is often embraced just this way - just as the chief priests in Jesus' day.
Look at current events. Recall the "summer of love" in 2020 as roving mobs burned cities and attacked people who didn't see things their way? These "protesters" (hooligans) had determination, passion and stridency but what they lacked was the truth. Just like these chief priests of Jesus' day. And, even further, they interpreted truth as deceit, just like the chief priests.
Look at those demanding we embrace homosexuality, transgender access to bathrooms and girls sports, and abortion. These people hope we will be persuaded by their determination, passion and stridency.
Truth lies elsewhere - within the Son of God, "I am the way and the truth and the life." John 14:6a.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
"'You mean he has deceived you also?' the Pharisees retorted. 'Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed in him? No! But this mob that knows nothing of the law—there is a curse on them.'"
The chief priests and Pharisees had sent the temple guards to go arrest Jesus who was teaching in the temple courts. When they returned empty-handed, the chief priests demanded to know why. The guards said they had never heard anything like Jesus' teaching, "'No one ever spoke the way this man does,' the guards replied." Verse 46.
This, of course, outraged the chief priests whose heated response is given in verses 47-49. I note the strong accusation of the chief priests, that the guards had allowed themselves to be deceived by Jesus' teachings.
I find it remarkable how people can be 180 degrees wrong and yet be so adamant about their perspective. Jesus spoke the truth, and these leaders of the Jews rejected the truth and framed it as falsehood. They were entirely confident that Jesus Christ was not the Son of God and that he was misleading people.
Truth is not determined by how impassioned people might be, how loud their voices might be, how strident they might be. Truth lies elsewhere. We might hope people hold to truth with determination, passion and stridency. Unfortunately, falsehood is often embraced just this way - just as the chief priests in Jesus' day.
Look at current events. Recall the "summer of love" in 2020 as roving mobs burned cities and attacked people who didn't see things their way? These "protesters" (hooligans) had determination, passion and stridency but what they lacked was the truth. Just like these chief priests of Jesus' day. And, even further, they interpreted truth as deceit, just like the chief priests.
Look at those demanding we embrace homosexuality, transgender access to bathrooms and girls sports, and abortion. These people hope we will be persuaded by their determination, passion and stridency.
Truth lies elsewhere - within the Son of God, "I am the way and the truth and the life." John 14:6a.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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