Tag: muttering
Muttering and mixed opinions
Scripture reading for November 1st: Ezekiel 19-21, John 7
John 7: 12-18 “And there was much muttering about Him among the people. While some said, “He is a good man,” others said, “No, He is leading the people astray.” Yet for fear of the Jews no one spoke openly of Him. About the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and began teaching. The Jews therefore marveled, saying, “How is it that this man has learning, when He has never studied?” So Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but His Who sent Me. If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on My own authority. The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of Him Who sent Him is true, and in Him there is no falsehood.”
The people who heard Jesus, other than His disciples, had mixed opinions about Him and His teachings. Some considered Jesus was possibly Elijah the Prophet or maybe the Christ, and others felt that His teaching was contrary to the truth. Jesus spoke plainly to explain why there were conflicting opinions. He stated that His teaching was not His own, but came from God the Father Who had sent Him to earth. He explained that motives of the heart determine how His teaching was received. Those who truly wanted to do God’s will would know that His teaching was from God. Those who had other motives of judging or self-promotion would not know the truth, thus division would result based on heart motives.
John 7:40-43 “When they heard these words, some of people said, “This really is the Prophet.” Others said, This is the Christ.” But some said, “Is the Christ to come from Galilee? Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the offspring of David, and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David was? So there was division among the people over Him.”
Prayer: Father God, You alone know our hearts and the motives and opinions we hold. Forgive us for selfish motives and opinions instead of seeking to do Your will alone. Examine my heart and cleanse my motives. I believe Jesus is God’s Son and Your Word is truth to be listened to and obeyed. I desire to worship You only and find my will in Yours.
Ezekiel 20:30-32 “”Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: Will you defile yourselves after the manner of your fathers and go whoring after their detestable things? When you present your gifts and offer up your children in fire, you defile yourselves with all your idols to this day. And shall I be inquired of by you, O house of Israel? As I live, declares the Lord God, I will not be inquired of by you.””