Free Daily Devotions Food for the Day

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2022

TEXT: John 7:1-13

1. After this, Jesus went around in Galilee, purposely staying away from Judea because the Jews there were waiting to take his life.

2. But when the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles was near,

3. Jesus’ brothers said to him, “You ought to leave here and go to Judea, so that your disciples may see the miracles you do.

4. No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.”

5. For even his own brothers did not believe in him.

6. Therefore Jesus told them, “The right time for me has not yet come; for you any time is right.

7. The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that what it does is evil.

8. You go to the Feast. I am not yet going up to this Feast, because for me the right time has not yet come.”

9. Having said this, he stayed in Galilee.

10. However, after his brothers had left for the Feast, he went also, not publicly, but in secret.

11. Now at the Feast the Jews were watching for him and asking, “Where is that man?”

12. Among the crowds there was widespread whispering about him. Some said, “He is a good man.” Others replied, “No, he deceives the people.”

13. But no one would say anything publicly about him for fear of the Jews.

(New International Version)

TOPIC: DIFFERENT RESPONSES TO JESUS’ CLAIMS

It is common for members of one’s own family take lightly the special abilities or gifts of siblings just as we see here in the case of Jesus (vs. 3-5). They responded to His claim as the Bread of life who came from heaven (John 6:56-58) with sarcasm, ridicule and mockery.

People responded differently to what they don’t understand or out of envy for someone else’s achievements. How one responds to criticisms, envy or jealousy reveals the person’s quality or integrity.

Jesus’ response brought out two lessons: a) Jesus withdrew from conflict and danger so that He might continue to minister. b) Galilee wasn’t as prominent as Judea. It was an obscure place, considered both insignificant and unimportant. But God chose for His Son to minister there.

A believer shouldn’t feel embarrassed or less important if he is placed in an obscure ministry by the Lord and shouldn’t contemplate withdrawing for that reason. Jesus didn’t heed the urgings of His critics to cease making such phenomenal claims as He must keep proclaiming the truth.

QUESTION: as a Bible believer, are you still struggling with the phenomenal claims of Jesus to be the Bread of life?

PRAYER: Make me come to terms with the fact that You are the Bread of life and publicly proclaim it to the world, in Jesus name, Amen.