Experiencing Jesus e~Devotional | 5/13

PASSAGE: John 7 [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.

INSIGHT: The Feast of Tabernacles was a busy time in Jerusalem. It was the largest of the three feasts that Jews celebrated to remember God’s deliverance from Egypt. The city streets would be crowded with people. Jesus’ brothers wanted him to take advantage of the crowds to become even more famous than he was. And, if Jesus became more famous they would enjoy more fame too.

How did Jesus respond? He chooses to follow God’s will – no matter what. While many people don’t want any controls on us, Jesus readily welcomed God’s leading and control above all else. He would only do what his Father wanted him to do.

Jesus is showing us the principle of putting God first in everything we do. When Jesus says – “I do nothing on my own” – he’s surrendering his will to what God wants him to do. There’s freedom in that. The opposite says – “Do whatever you feel like doing.” This kind of acting out enslaves us to our own lusts and desires. To break free of habits that may be holding you back from living the life that God intended, you need to give up control and let God control your life.

PRAYER FOCUS: “God, here’s my life. Take it and do whatever you want in me today.”

SPIRITUAL PRACTICE TODAY: What habits would like to stop doing that may not honor God? To begin to break free of it, start with realizing that as a child of God, Christ is in you and he will give the power and strength to be free.

Ephesians 3 [20] Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, [21] to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.