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



Being you in a world of haters...

Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters,^[a] if the world hates you.

Some days it feels like the whole world is against you and you are fighting an uphill battle. You know in your heart that what you are doing is true and right, but every where you turn you face another obstacle. You fail a test or you upset your parents or your friends. You aren’t invited to a party or you lose an election or you feel like you have disappointed…everyone.

This feeling is part of the push-pull we have as Christians. We often do and say things which do not marry to the world’s view of how life should be, making us appear different or off; but in reality we are simply being who God created us to be. We can’t please both the world and God.

We must rest in the knowledge of who God is calling us to be and trust Him to reveal each piece of the puzzle in the correct order. When life is not going “our way” we tend to want to push forward to the place we are going – to get out of the pit we find ourselves in and seek out the promised reward – but we have to go through that pit – to suffer through the world hating us….it is just a part of life. And yet, the beauty of being a Christian is that even though the world is hating you, and even though you feel like you can’t win, with Jesus as your guide you can share love with everyone you meet – because with Christ all things are possible.

Always remember that God created you to be you…don’t try and push yourself into a mold that was created for someone else just so you can fit in…It is okay to stand out – to be different – because you are living the life God created for you. And even when the whole world “hates” you…you can rest in the fact that God loves you. What more do you need!

Scripture

1 John 3:11-24

Quote of the Day

“It is better to be hated for who you are, than to be loved for someone you are not.”
Julie de Lespinasse

Question of the Day

This is more of a challenge...who could you tell you love so that they know that God loves them?