Jesus Teaches Openly at the Temple
10But after his brothers left for the festival, Jesus also went, though secretly, staying out of public view.11The Jewish leaders tried to find him at the festival and kept asking if anyone had seen him.12There was a lot of grumbling about him among the crowds. Some argued, “He’s a good man,” but others said, “He’s nothing but a fraud who deceives the people.”13But no one had the courage to speak favorably about him in public, for they were afraid of getting in trouble with the Jewish leaders.
14Then, midway through the festival, Jesus went up to the Temple and began to teach.15The people were surprised when they heard him. “How does he know so much when he hasn’t been trained?” they asked.
16So Jesus told them, “My message is not my own; it comes from God who sent me.17Anyone who wants to do the will of God will know whether my teaching is from God or is merely my own.18Those who speak for themselves want glory only for themselves, but a person who seeks to honor the one who sent him speaks truth, not lies.19Moses gave you the law, but none of you obeys it! In fact, you are trying to kill me.”
20The crowd replied, “You’re demon possessed! Who’s trying to kill you?”
21Jesus replied, “I did one miracle on the Sabbath, and you were amazed.22But you work on the Sabbath, too, when you obey Moses’ law of circumcision. (Actually, this tradition of circumcision began with the patriarchs, long before the law of Moses.)23For if the correct time for circumcising your son falls on the Sabbath, you go ahead and do it so as not to break the law of Moses. So why should you be angry with me for healing a man on the Sabbath?24Look beneath the surface so you can judge correctly.”
Truth, it can be so hard to find, and when you find it, it can cut so deeply. Here the crowds in Jerusalem were looking for Jesus, but they were so afraid of the Jewish leaders that they guarded their words. They all knew what was being planned. Yet Jesus took the truth and brought it into the light and everyone disowned it and claimed he was demon possessed just for bring it up. They were confronted with the truth, and it was too much for them.
Is it too much for us. I sometimes pray for the Holy Spirit to show me my sins, but it is a scary prayer. I have been shown some awful things sometimes. Perhaps even worse is when I am shown a “small” sin that is very difficult to purge or requires a confession to someone. But bringing the truth to light is the path to righteousness. Jesus is the light of that path and we should walk in the light, not in darkness.
Lord, show me, again, my sins and give me the courage and grace and humility and strength to change. *obbs*
