Thoughts on the Gospel of John (40) - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2025

He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but he who seeks the glory of the one who sent him is true, and no unrighteousness is in him. Did not Moses give you the law, yet none of you keeps the law? Why do you seek to kill me? The people answered and said, You have a demon. Who is seeking to kill you?
John 7:18-20.

Thoughts on the Gospel of John (40)
During the period of the Feast of Tabernacles Jesus' teaching surprised the Jewish leaders. He had never been seen in the Pharisees' schools. Jesus explained to them that He was One sent to propagate God's doctrine.

Couldn't His listeners recognise who was standing before them? Yes, if they had been prepared to do the will of God (v. 17). No-one could doubt that Jesus was not pursuing any selfish aim with His teaching. For Him it was solely a question of God's honour. He thus gave them a proof that He was no deceiver and that His sayings were divine truth.

If we wish to know today whether anyone is speaking on behalf of God, the same distinguishing mark applies: does the speaker want to shine before men, or is his objective to honour God?

The following verses show the poor state of mind in the Jews who were proud of their law, but none could keep it. Their transgression reached its climax in their desire to kill the One of whom Moses had written. They might dispute such a conspiracy; nevertheless they accused Jesus, the one Man who sought to honour God, of having a demon!

A Christian can have the same experience: ignoring religious ritual, seeking no fame for himself but only the Lord's honour, and being considered sectarian, intolerant and fanatical.

(to be continued next Sunday)

Today's reading: Genesis 19:1-22 · Psalms 1:1-6