John 7 - Overcoming the Doubters and the Haters (updated)

Jesus' brothers said to him, "You should leave here and go to Judea. Then your disciples will see the kinds of things you do. No one who wants to be well known does things in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world." Even Jesus' own brothers did not believe in him.

John 7:3-5

Can you imagine knowing, beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are right?
 Knowing that you are doing all of the right things for all of right reasons, and yet no one - not even your family - believes you?

Would you feel discouraged?

Would you be frustrated - angry even?

Would you be a little depressed?

In the seventh chapter of the book of John we see Jesus facing a time in his earthly ministry when he was surrounded by doubters and haters.

Many of his disciples had abandoned him and he returned to his family for the Festival of the Booths - a time in the Jewish celebratory calendar where the Jews remember their time in the wilderness and thank God for his blessings (Leviticus 23:34,42).

My image of Jesus's heart is one of a tender sadness as I read John 7. I don't recall ever seeing him challenged in such away - outside of the Holy Week.

Some believe he is the Christ - but then they question his lineage- is he really of the House of David? Some are amazed by his teaching - but how could he know so much without being educated?

Some believe he is good and right - while others thinking he is tricking his followers.

I imagine that Jesus - who loved these people with the overwhelming love straight from The Father - was deeply saddened by the lack of belief - by the overwhelming number of doubters and haters.

In my mind I hear the sigh of frustration as he is teaching on one day during the festival when he says, "Stop judging only by what you see. Judge correctly." (John 7:24)

Stop judging only by what you see...

I think he was saying to them - and even to us today - Open your heart and you will KNOW.

Belief isn't knowing what we see. Belief is knowing what we cannot see.

How frustrated must he have been with those who had witnessed his miracles first hand - those who had been in his presence ~ truly been in the presence of God on Earth ~ and yet questioned who he was.

Jesus was still teaching in the temple courtyard. He cried out, "Yes, you know me. And you know where I am from. I am not here on my own. The One who sent me is true. You do not know him. But I know him. I am from him, and he sent me."

John 7:28-29

These people could see, hear and touch Jesus and yet, they didn't truly know him. They knew where he was raised. They knew his mom. They even knew of his miracles.
But they didn't truly know him because they did not know the One - God the Father - who had sent him.

When we come to know Jesus - to truly know Jesus - we know God. They are one in the same.

I can sense Jesus's frustration with those he ministered - the doubters and the haters - even the sometimes believers.

And yet, despite his frustration, his love for each of them was so great he laid down his life for each of them and for each of us so that one day - we can say:

 "I know him. I have seen him with my heart."

Scripture

John 7 (Yep - the WHOLE chapter)

Quote of the Day

 It's a great feeling when you have a lot of doubters and you prove them wrong.

Joakim Noah, NBA Basketball Player

Question of the Day

When have you felt the oppostition of people not believing in you?


GUMY CHALLENGE - Clue # 8

The answer to this week's clue is what Emmanuelle says is "her job" in her posting...it is ALL of our jobs.
Check out this YouTube Clip



Doubt vs. Questions

Doubt is a nasty little word.

We can suffer from self-doubt; doubt about our relationships; doubt about God's will; doubt about our country...and on it will go.

Doubt can creep into the edges of your being in ways which can cripple you. You can begin to question everyone and everything around you. Doubt can make you want to curl up in a ball and hide under your covers.

But - doubt doesn't have to win.

Our ability to have faith, which transcends what we can hear, see, smell, taste and touch is a gift from God. Faith acts like water to the fire destroying power of doubt. Faith will put out the flames and help to keep the embers of doubt from resurfacing.

Sometimes, we can confuse challenging the status quo with doubt. When we challenge the status quo, or ask questions, we aren't saying that we do not believe or do not have faith, but we are simply following in the path of Jacob who "wrestled with God". All of the great theologians throughout history have challenged their thoughts and their beliefs in order to strengthen their faith - not destroy it.

The distinct difference between doubt and challenging is that at the core of a challenge is the knowledge and the faith that God is Who He says He is. We may face difficult circumstances, but if we view them as a challenge - if we seek out God in the midst of our questions - we will find wisdom. When we allow our doubts to overshadow our faith, we will find weakness.

Questions are good. Questioning why you believe what you believe is a good thing - but be cautious to keep your eyes and your heart focused on God so that He can continue to answer your questions with His wisdom. Otherwise if we allow our focus to be centered on the world we will be pummeled with doubts rather than answers.

But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

James 1:6

Scripture

James 1:4-6

Quote of the Day

Faith isn't believing without proof – it's trusting without reservation.

William Sloan Coffin

Question of the Day

When have you questioned what you believed in the past week?