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When you come to believe in Jesus and become really committed to him, people soon treat you differently, peculiarly, in a funny way, and I am not sure we ever become used to that!

We are John Chapter 7, and as the Feast of Tabernacles approaches Jesus is aware of a plot in Jerusalem to kill Him.

Why did people treat Jesus like this? Well, He told certain people that what they did was bad and evil, and generally speaking, people do not like to be told that. That does not make for popularity.

After his brothers left for Jerusalem for the Festival, Jesus decided to go, later on, and not publicly, but quietly and secretly, because of what some were planning to do.

It was not yet time for Him to die – next year, yes – but not yet.

In Jerusalem, they were talking about Jesus. Jesus was a threat in so many ways. The religious leaders had put their trust in all kinds of things – formal traditions, and political expediency. It was to these things people looked for their security, and many do so today.

They would not listen to what Jesus actually said. Their minds were made up before He came.

A man will never get anywhere with Jesus Christ, until he is prepared to listen honestly and openly to what Jesus has to say.

These men in Jerusalem could not make their minds up about Jesus, and this too is very common today.

When it comes to witnessing, there can be a fear of rejection or embarrassment. We might not want to be considered as a ‘fanatic’. We might think that we will not be liked any longer. A colleague defined a ‘fanatic’ as someone who loves Jesus more than I do!

Those who looked at what He did, said He was good.

Those who looked at what He said, said He was bad!

When Jesus referred to Himself as God, and equal with God the Father, He was accused of blasphemy. They regarded Him as a deceiver, as a fake, as a fraud.

Is it not significant that the religious leaders could remember what they chose to remember, and overlook and ignore what they chose to overlook and ignore? Is that not also the same today with so many people? We need to be aware of these factors and John’s Gospel opens our eyes and understanding to so many aspects of the truth.

Jesus is unique, and this is the battle we are presently facing. Jesus is NOT one among many. But, they would not come out openly on either side, and Jesus Christ is the type of Person who keeps saying to us, “Are you prepared to come out into the open?”

Jesus is gradually moving towards the cross, and opposition is gradually becoming more intense. It is interesting to read how John moves quite quickly to the crux of the purposes of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Discussion must lead to decision.

Don’t die still discussing, still wondering, and remaining undecided.

Verse 14 – In the middle of the feast, Jesus went up to the Temple and taught, and everyone was amazed. He spoke with prophetic authority, but some were more concerned about his theological qualifications, than what He taught, and what Jesus explains, is this. I did my theological training in heaven. I am not making it up. I am just passing on what God told me to say. The source of all Jesus Christ says and teaches is God the Father.

He makes it so clear. If you are willing to do what God wants, you will soon know that I am speaking the truth. Obey the little you know.

Resistance to truth always deepens our darkness. As we obey the truth and the light which we have, we open ourselves to receive more and more truth and light.

"Voice of Inspiration" from Andy Castro

Change is Good