John 7-8
October 31, 2014

It seems that society hasn't moved very far away from the time of Christ, as it pertains to deciding who Jesus is.   They were murmuring about Him at the feast.  Some felt He was divine and from God, others believed Him to be demon possessed.  The two thoughts couldn't be any farther apart.

The Jewish leaders didn't accept him, so they thought.... Nicodemus had already been contemplating, and seemed to be on Jesus' side of the argument.

The woman caught in adultery had the luckiest day of her life!  It seems right to me that the older men were the first to leave after Jesus challenged them.   When we are young, and even young in the faith we have higher opinion of our ability to remain pure.  As we age I think we begin to realize just how unlimited God's grace is.

John 8:12 and following.

Jesus is the light, that is, He is the wisdom that comes from heaven.  Those who follow His teachings will not stumble over the problems of life as they travel along.  That is, they will remain married to their original mate, and will not have to endure the trials of divorce (generally speaking....there are times when divorce seems to be the only alternative).   They won't become addicted, they will treat others with respect...they will forgive when they are wronged.    Just the forgiveness part will result in better health...      Many problems are avoided by the Christian who remains obedient.    Does that mean we don't have any problems?   Of course not, but our problems are somehow diminished, and certainly don't have the eternal consequences as do unbelievers.

In verse 23 Jesus says that anyone who doesn't believe in Him will die in their sins.   I can't understand how we expect to gain entrance into heaven without acknowledging Jesus as the Son of God, and as God himself.  Many religions accept Jesus as a prophet, or as a teacher..but not as God.   He claims deity, and unless we accept that, we cannot go to be with Him.



PR