Jesus Teaches at the Feast

John 7:14-36 

 

14Not until halfway through the Feast did Jesus go up to the temple courts and begin to teach. 15The Jews were amazed and asked, "How did this man get such learning without having studied?" 16Jesus answered, "My teaching is not my own. It comes from him who sent me. 17If anyone chooses to do God's will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. 18He 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. 

For all you college basketball fans its March Madness, and with that comes all manner of what’s commonly known as “trash talking.” From the players, to the coaches, to the fans, there will be talk. Talk about whose team is better, whose fans are louder, and which team plays more effective defense. But it is on the court where the talking ceases and a team’s reputation is bolstered or crushed and the talk is exposed for what it really is; just talk or an announcement of the real thing.

In v14 we find Jesus in the temple doing, guess what? Talking. His teaching was and is revelatory and life-changing. The level of Jesus’ teaching was impressive to those Jews who heard it, but it prompted them to ask, “How does He know so much without being schooled?” (The Message) Based on what they knew about his background the $64,000 question was where did he get His skills? He wasn’t an alumna of a Division 1 Rabbinical school. And He wasn’t a graduate of the EFGH Holy Scripture Summer Camp. Who taught Him all that stuff? Just who was the fantastic teacher that produced such a brilliant student? 

Jesus told those assembled at the temple courts that day to, “Stop judging by mere appearance, and make a right judgment.” It takes spiritual discipline to be able to sit and receive knowledge, wisdom, and understanding from someone we believe has absolutely nothing to teach us, from someone we perceive is not on our level intellectually, spiritually, and/or socially. But hear the voice of Jesus, “Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment.” As we draw nearer to Jesus during this time of fasting and sacrifice, ask God for the discernment necessary to recognize in the Sprit those teachers who don’t always look the part, but carry a teaching just for us that is not their own…It comes from the One who sent them.

Let’s Pray: Thank you in advance Lord for the spiritual insight, patience, and strength to hear and receive your Word from your chosen teachers. AMEN.

Colette Walker

Roselle, NJ

JESUS HEALS, EVEN WHEN YOU DON’T HAVE THE SENSE TO ASK

Mark 5:1-20

Mark 5 greets us with Jesus and his companions in a boat crossing a lake to the Gerasenes where they dock.  As soon as Jesus steps out the boat, a man possessed by demons approaches him.  This demon possessed man lived and dwelled in tombs (think caves) where he would yell, cry out and cut himself with rocks, night and day.  Unsuccessfully, people tried to subdue this possessed man with irons and chains, but he broke them. 

At first sight, the demons in this man immediately recognize Jesus as the Christ and beg for mercy.  They plead that Jesus not destroy them, but rather send them in the nearby herd of pigs.  Jesus agrees and the demons leave the man to enter the herd.  The pigs run down a bank into the river and drown.  The man in the tombs is delivered, set free, healed!

I love this passage because it reminds me WHO is in control.  I am constantly trying to control the issues of my life and my surroundings.  I have tried to educate myself and acquire knowledge to insure a pleasant and prosperous future (I am smart. No, really!).  I try to eat healthy and keep my body in optimum working order (Except for the excess weight- Lord help!).  I have a supportive family that I love and who reciprocates love to me. I am surrounded with good, reliable, upstanding and gifted friends who I care for and who care for me. 

All of this and I am unemployed.  I know that I am not alone. I have friends and relatives in the same boat.  But, Lord, it is me!  I have prayed and cried about it.  I have looked for opportunities, and submitted resumes.  I have talked to "connected" people.  Some have promised things, but none have come through.  Nothing has worked.  Clearly, I am NOT in control of this situation.  Neither was the demoniac in control of his.

I went through periods of depression and feeling sorry for myself.  Then, one day I look up.  God speaks and lives in my life.  I am blessed.  I am able to pay my bills with a few consulting gigs.  I have a savings- not yet depleted.  I am starting a new business.  Even if these circumstances are not completely what I wanted or asked for, God is making a way! 

When I think of asking the Lord for something specific, I remember the demoniac bargaining with Jesus.  I’ve done that.  “Lord, if you just get me out of this mess, I will go to church...tithe...study the Bible...pray...visit the sick...blah, blah, blah!”  The Lord hears my cry, works out my situation and I start going to church- sometimes.  I study the bible sometimes.  Sometimes, I even put the name of the sick and shut-in on the prayer list.  Truth is, this bargaining I do is unnecessary.  Like the man in the tombs, my victory and deliverance is an act of Grace and Mercy.  GOD IS IN CONTROL!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for Grace and Mercy- even when I don’t deserve it; even when I don’t have the wherewithal to ask. 

Dara Davis

Memphis, Tennessee 

Sometimes You Must Walk Alone

Based on John 7:1-13

 

It’s great to have close family and friends.  It’s also great to have close family and friends in our lives that will give us their best opinions and suggestions of how we should conduct our lives.   Suggestions may be of places to go and people to meet.  These suggestions may come from innocence or from the misunderstanding of who you really are and what your destiny really is. They may not know or have thought that God has placed you on a path only for you.  They may not think that it is better for you not to be seen with the “in crowd” all of the time.   

Of course, it’s okay to partake of any feast, festival, party, etc. but sometimes you must walk alone.   You will be surprised of new people you may meet or important information that may come to you regarding business or life saving circumstances.  The event may be so busy that you are not recognized by anyone. 

Walking alone will also allow God to reveal to you who your true friends are and for you to ripen your intimate relationship with him.  

So, take the time to walk alone and nurture your life on God’s path for you.

Felecia Teasley

Nashville, Tennessee 

I've Got a Testimony

John 5:30-47

Christians have always believed in including testimonies as part of regular worship services, revivals and especially Watch Night services. When I served as pastor in various congregations I included testimonies in the First Sunday worship services. Several members of the congregation would share their testimonies about the goodness of Jesus. Do we have a true testimony? Does our testimony stand on our faith in Jesus Christ?

Jesus gives a true testimony revealing who He is to those who doubt. He says, “I have come in my Father’s name and yet you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him”(5:43). Sometimes our allegiance is to those who preach and teach the Gospel, rather than to Jesus, the One of whom these messengers are speaking. Let us not be like the Jewish leaders who did not recognize Jesus as the Son of God. When we read and follow scripture and experience the love of God, we too will have a testimony about the goodness of Jesus Christ. Our testimony would be real because it stands on the solid foundation, Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Holy Father please let us reveal Jesus Christ in our lives today as a true testimony to others. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Rev. Pattie D. Hardimon

Nashville, Tennessee

Here Comes the Judge

John 5:19-29

There are many court cases being tried on television today. There is Divorce Court, Judge Judy (who started the syndicated court drama), and Judge Brown just to name a few. If we want a day in court to resolve a petty problem, we can take it to one of these television judges.

Just as the Jews were sitting in judgment of Jesus for healing on the Sabbath— which was not a serious problem—people today are constantly judging one another over trivial matters. In the various court sitcoms, we see people taking each other to court over minor issues.  As the Jews tried to judge Jesus, they didn’t realize the case was already closed. This scripture passage says that Jesus can only do what His Father does and what He sees the Father doing. The works He does, the Father enables Him to do. The Jews evidently forgot or were unaware that at Jesus’ baptism He ascended up out of the water and God said, “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” (Mark 1:11 NIV)

Jesus is the true Judge assigned by God our Heavenly Father. Jesus says “whoever hears my word and believes in him who sent me has eternal life.” During this time of economic crisis, the only way to survive is to constantly believe in the Almighty True Judge and life-giver Jesus Christ. Jesus is the only true One who can decide whether we are to live eternally or be condemned to hell. Let us remember that our Savior has total control of where we spend eternity.

Prayer: Master, enable us to realize that Jesus is our true Judge who is in control of each decision we make in our lives. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Rev. Pattie D. Hardimon

Nashville, Tennessee

New Covenant Healing

John 5: 1-18

 

What an awesome experience to receive miraculous healings whether by the direct hand of God or the hand of medicine.  Jesus, the Master Healer, died and rose again not only for our sin, but to bring forgiveness and healing to the body of Christ at large.

 

Imagine trying to meet a doctor everyday, praying that somehow he would have the knowledge or skills to heal you.  Each day, you try to get into the office, but someone always beats you to the punch and you’re turned away.  Did you know that just one touch from the Master is enough to bring about new covenant healing?

 

At Jesus’ command, you can be healed instantly, according to the will of God.  Jesus did not touch the man at the pool, He told him, “Take up your bed and walk.”  Then Jesus reminded him of the covenant, which was to sin no more so nothing worse would come on him.  My brothers and sisters, we must meet every condition in order to reach new covenant healing.

 

Prayer:

 

Pray this prayer with me.  Oh gracious and heavenly father, through your son Jesus, I pray for supernatural healing like the healing received by the man at the well.  Please remind me of the covenant that you made by allowing your Word to be hidden in my heart so that I will not sin against you.  Amen!

Lamario O. Stripling

Atlanta, Georgia

Walk

John 4: 43-54

“The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went his way.” 

— John 4: 50b

This time was different. On this visit to Cana, Jesus had no need to dread the pinch of hometown skepticism toward His ministry. He received a warm welcome.  Had the Galileans not recently witnessed His miracles, would the welcome have been the same? Would the official have sought him to heal his son? 

Just like us, this official had an urgent need for Jesus. What he knew of Jesus was sufficient to draw him to ask Him to heal his son. This man took Jesus at His word and his son’s miracle would draw him and his family into relationship with Him. This official left his request with Jesus with no further beleaguering. Even when Jesus challenged his faith and belief, he was not deterred; he went his way in confidence that his son would be healed.

In times of prayer and fasting, we bring before God our needs for healing for others, self, relationships, habits, behaviors, prejudices—all the things that drive wedges in our connections with God and others. Like the official, are we leaving these requests with God and confidently walking away knowing that He has heard us and will answer us?

Walking away is telling God that we completely trust Him. 

Walking away is our act of surrender.

Walking away is walking closer to God.

Walk away. Walk toward the answer. God is at the end of the walkway with the answer in His Hand. Start walking...

Carlene Lenore

Kairos Community AME Church

Nashville, Tennessee