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14 About the middle of the festival Jesus went up into the temple and began to teach. 15 The Jews were astonished at it, saying, “How does this man have such learning, when he has never been taught?” 16 Then Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine but his who sent me. 17 Anyone who resolves to do the will of God will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own. 18 Those who speak on their own seek their own glory, but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and there is nothing unjust in him.

19 “Did not Moses give you the law? Yet none of you keeps the law. Why are you looking for an opportunity to kill me?” 20 The crowd answered, “You have a demon! Who is trying to kill you?” 21 Jesus answered them, “I performed one work, and all of you are astonished. 22 Because of this Moses gave you circumcision (it is, of course, not from Moses but from the patriarchs), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath. 23 If a man receives circumcision on the Sabbath in order that the law of Moses may not be broken, are you angry with me because I healed a man’s whole body on the Sabbath? 24 Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”

Is This the Christ?

25 Now some of the people of Jerusalem were saying, “Is not this the man whom they are trying to kill? 26 And here he is, speaking openly, but they say nothing to him! Can it be that the authorities really know that this is the Messiah? 27 Yet we know where this man is from, but when the Messiah comes no one will know where he is from.” 28 Then Jesus cried out as he was teaching in the temple, “You know me, and you know where I am from. I have not come on my own. But the one who sent me is true, and you do not know him. 29 I know him because I am from him, and he sent me.” 30 Then they tried to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him because his hour had not yet come. 31 Yet many in the crowd believed in him and were saying, “When the Messiah comes, will he do more signs than this man has done?”

On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, 38 and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, ‘Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.’ ” 39 Now he said this about the Spirit, which believers in him were to receive, for as yet there was no Spirit because Jesus was not yet glorified.

 

An interesting preface to this reading is that Jesus is celebrating the Festival of Booths or Sukkot. The festival has two major ceremonies, one for light and one for water. At the end of this festival, Jesus presents himself as the living water. I am sure people had trouble taking that as truth.

 

What is truth? This seems to be a question that gets batted around frequently in our modern world. Is that a real video or picture or is it AI or Photoshopped? Is someone presenting all the facts or simply the ones that support the narrative they are presenting? It can be difficult to know.

 

Now imagine Jesus walking into a world where everyone is deep-rooted in the Law of Moses. They share a common history and understanding of what God expects from them. And this wandering rabbi walks in and begins to teach things that are different from what they have heard their entire lives? Is he telling the truth, or is this Jesus a charlatan?

 

Jesus understands this question and responds simply with “My teaching is not mine but his who sent me. 17 Anyone who resolves to do the will of God will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own. 18 Those who speak on their own seek their own

glory, but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and there is nothing unjust in him.” He points to God and says, “Does what I say reflect God? Or am I trying to get something from you?” I think we get this about Jesus. We may not always fully understand his words and what he seeks to convey for our lives. BUT, when we do get something, the words resonate in our souls. The words ring true, and we feel the pull, the gravity of what Jesus is saying.

 

Gracious Father, help us to listen for your truth so that we can follow it each day of our lives. Amen

 

Chad Ryberg

Cryberg@livinglord.org

 

Prayer Concern: For those seeking truth.