“Choose To Do The Will Of God!”

“Choose To Do The Will Of God!”(Jn.7:14-18).
Jesus began to teach in the temple courts and “The Jews were amazed and asked, ‘How did this man get such learning without having studied?'” This is a question that is asked even today. Jesus did not study under any of the recognized rabbis of the time. The fact that one has not studied the word of God in a recognized institution does not mean that the one has not studied. However, this should not be an excuse to promote mediocrity. Some have taken the excuse that Jesus was an ordinary local carpenter and the apostles were mostly local fishermen so there is no need to study before teaching the word of God.
When the Jews asked the question, Jesus answered, “My teaching is not my own. It comes from him who sent me.If anyone chooses to do God’s will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. He who speaks on his own does so to gain honor for himself, but he who works for the honor of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him.”
This story makes a distinction between “the Jews” and “the crowd.” The Jews here refers to the religious authorities and they are the ones who were amazed at Jesus’ teaching and wondered where he gained such learning.
Jesus’ display of “such learning without having studied” belittled their own learning after years of study. Jesus did not have to study under any rabbi because “the Father, from whom he came, had been his rabbi.”
We are still in the season of Christmas and the teaching is still about accepting or rejecting Jesus as coming from God. For this reason, let us focus on this verse:“If anyone chooses to do God’s will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own.” This is to say anyone who is determined to do God’s will with sincerity has to welcome Jesus’ teaching and believe in him.
Once when Jesus was asked, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” He answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent”(Jn,6:28-29).
Jesus is not self-seeking. He did not come to project himself. He is a man of truth which equates him with the Father.
Let us therefore choose to do God’s will by believing in the one whom he has sent.
Prayer: Father, I choose to do your will by believing and living the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ whom you sent. Amen!
Have a blessed day! Peace be with you!
Rev. Babila Fochang.