Jesus continued to teach in the temple area and captured the attention of many people.
click here for an online Bible John 7:25-36
The religious leaders wanted to kill him. They thought they were protecting God’s reputation. Some people are like that now. They’ve got God figured out and they know what is right and wrong. Anything that comes along that doesn’t fit their model of God must be stamped out quickly. Don’t confuse me with the facts, I already know the answer.
Some people must have been from Missouri, because they had a real “show me” attitude about things. They couldn’t accept Jesus based on the evidence, they had to analyze things. Mica 5:2 says that the Messiah will come from Bethlehem but his origin is from antiquity. We know Jesus is from Nazareth, so we are not convinced. By the way, if the authorities want to kill this guy, why aren’t they doing it? And furthermore, he is talking about going someplace that we don’t know and we can’t go there. What is he talking about? He had better make more sense before I consider following him.
This is a common problem for people. God’s plan doesn’t make sense to them. How could a loving God condemn people who never had the chance to hear about Christ? That doesn’t make sense to me. I refuse to believe. The conquest of Canaan by the Israelites could never have been commanded by God. That doesn’t make sense to me. I refuse to believe. I can’t pick on people like that too much, I was one of them. I believed in science. Religion was for the weak-minded. The gospel didn’t make sense to me.
There was another group - those who believed. They pointed out that Jesus had performed enough miracles already to prove who he was. Would anybody expect the Messiah to perform more or bigger miracles than Jesus already had? What more could you want? Jesus says some confusing things, but we believe based on the evidence. I am happy to say that I am in this group now. I came to faith not by figuring God out and approving of his plan. I came to faith through the evidence of Jesus – his death and resurrection. Now I believe him, not because I understand it, but because he said it. I will try my best to understand it and apply it to my life.
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I made my decision for Christ when I was 10 years old and was soon baptized. I guess you could say that I grew up knowing him. Because of this, I have always considered my faith to be somewhat childlike. I didn't need convincing or tons of literature to tell me it was true. He said it is so and therefore I believed.
In that regard I think I'm kind of like the people in the crowd that day. They commented, “After all,” they said, “would you expect the Messiah to do more miraculous signs than this man has done?” (NLT) They probably didn't understand everything he was saying, but he done enough to prove himself to be the Messiah.
I don't understand everything he says; I read these selections in about 4 versions before I feel like I grasp it, but I believe. Why? Because he said so. My childlike faith has gotten me through some really tough times that I don't understand, but I know he was with me and I know he has plan in all of this. Why? Because he said so and that's good enough for me.
Amen Cathy - thank you for your testimony! There comes a point when we have to stop trying to get more evidence of Christ and just believe. Sometimes it's easy, but sometimes not.
When I was born again in 2000 at 38 years old with my history it was just too hard for me to simply believe - even with the evidence laid before me. I was not brought up in a Christian home and I had no desire for a relationship with Christ. What I did want was a "family" nearby to help us in hard times - we were going through some at the time. The Lord is so faithful and He truly knows what we need. He guided us to a church and I decided to go on a women's retreat to "meet some other women" in the church - and that's where I met Christ.
All weekend long I was given extraordinary signs by the Lord to see and experience - the tangible fire and presence of the Holy Spirit on myself and other people; a light from above shining down on me even though there was no light above; remarkable visions - of Christ smiling before me, of His dying on the cross, of a new life from conception to birth. These were things that I had never seen or experienced before and as exciting as they all were - it wasn't until one last vision that I finally decided to give my life to Christ.
That last vision - an overwhelmingly beautiful picture of God's glory shining on a mountaintop that touched inside me and caused me to feel Him in my heart, that was the one that did it. I had prayed right before "Okay God, if you are really real - show yourself to me so I can believe." Yes, I was a doubting Thomas - I was the Israelites standing there wanting to see more to accept Him - I needed just one more miracle to see and believe.
And praise God He is ever faithful and loving - far more patient then I am or will ever be here on earth! Not wanting any to perish, but all to come to Him. He showed me that vision and after seeing it I asked our Reverend what it meant - she told me I had seen a vision of God's glory.
The light bulb went on in my head - I could not deny the existence of my Creator any longer - He is real - He heard my prayer and He answered it in a most amazing way!
With my born again experience, I cannot condemn anyone for wanting one more miracle to believe - but I can say the second you decide to embrace Him and surrender to Jesus - your life will never be the same!
I can not speak for all of my brothers and sisters in Christ, but I will speak for myself. I too came to Christ at a very young age (8 or 12). I remember the event like it was yesterday. The call was made like all the other Sundays before... the benediction and then the three fold amen. We left the building just the same as all the other Sundays. It was bothering me all the way to the car, but I was too shy to go when the I first felt the urgency. You see everything outside of me was the same with the exception of that "clear and present danger" feeling in my stomach. I knew it was the call that was bothering me... but I went all the way to the car with my mom before I said: "Mom, I gotta go back in there..." she questioned me to make sure I really wanted to do this and I said "yes." She let me go and I ran up the hill and the stairs through the doors of the church and walked very fast toward the pastor and said "I accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior." He asked me a couple of questions and I told him I want to be baptized. He made an announcement to the many people that were still in the building at the time and said that I would be baptized in three weeks. I felt like a heavy burden was lifted from upon me after that. The baptism was a wonderful experience -- every once in a while I'll be driving and listening to some Christian music and I get more than just goose bumps -- it is like a burning like the water that I was baptized into is felt all over my body. You see, I believe that to be the Holy Spirit, but I may be wrong -- it could be just a strong emotional feeling, certainly what I felt was a feeling but what caused it? -- that is what I believe is the Holy Spirit. I may be wrong, but I believe it and that is faith -- and I would defend my belief (with words, logic and Biblical quotes. that may not be at all inspired by God -- but I believe they are for I base my actions and judgments on these things) You see, there is nothing that can convince me that Jesus is not anything other than what He claimed to be. Now, as for me I am certainly not the worse sinner if there is any such thing, but I am not acceptable before God without God. It is God who makes me acceptable and not the things I do. I reread what I wrote and I know that what I am trying to say is not clearly being perceived. It is God alone that has paid the price for my sins. The earthly visibly good things that I have acquired by the grace and mercy of God in my life are temporal earthly rewards (at best). The more precious heavenly treasures that I have are eternal and I look forward to them. I am convinced that there is nothing satisfying here on earth. I certainly am jealous of bobbies' compelling visions -- but then I think her vision is nothing like its gonna be when we all see Jesus. Just like every miracle that Jesus performed while in the presence of the pharisees and Sadducees was mocked and explained away -- our beliefs can be so easily taken from us (I think this makes them more powerful). Thus, we must bury our valued treasures deep within us and constantly call them to memory so that we do not forget. I love God and I love you. My greatest sin is my lack of love for myself. I encourage all of you to find that perfect balance of love for all of God and God's creation. I find it easy to be walked on -- for I much rather be wronged than do the wrong to another (but even at the respect for others I still struggle). I can usually see the wrong after I've done it and I quickly store it and amplify it in my mind so that I might remember not to stumble next time. I want to increase in love for all of God and all people (including myself).
I hope that God finds a way to use these words in your life.
Love,
ej
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