John 7:14-24
14 About the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and began teaching. 15 The Jews therefore marveled, saying, “How is it that this man has learning, when he has never studied?” 16 So Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me. 17 If anyone's will is to do God's will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority. 18 The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood. 19 Has not Moses given you the law? Yet none of you keeps the law. Why do you seek to kill me?” 20 The crowd answered, “You have a demon! Who is seeking to kill you?” 21 Jesus answered them, “I did one work, and you all marvel at it. 22 Moses gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath. 23 If on the Sabbath a man receives circumcision, so that the law of Moses may not be broken, are you angry with me because on the Sabbath I made a man's whole body well? 24 Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”
Reflection
In dramatic fashion, Jesus moved into the temple courts and began to teach. His words created astonishment and rage: astonishment because of his depth of knowledge as a seemingly untrained rabbi (John 7:15); rage because his teaching exposed the people’s sin (v. 19).
Jesus, his gospel, and his teachings do not land on people in a neutral way. He is either received with joy or rejected with contempt. The gospel is the aroma of life to some and the aroma of death to others (2 Cor. 2:15–16). There is no middle ground.
Hebrews 4:1-13
4: Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it. 2 For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened. 3 For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said,“As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter my rest,’”
6 Since therefore it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience, 7 again he appoints a certain day, “Today,” saying through David so long afterward, in the words already quoted,“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.”
8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day later on. 9 So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, 10 for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.
11 Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
0 although his works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For he has somewhere spoken of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.” 5 And again in this passage he said,
0 “They shall not enter my rest.”
Reflection
This is one of many exhortations in Hebrews to continue in faith and obedience until the completion of our salvation (“to enter that rest”; 4:11). Next the writer speaks of the Word of God. He describes it as dynamic, powerful, “sharp,” cutting, and able to read our hearts (v. 12).
These descriptions point to the fact that God uses his Word to reveal the unbelief and disobedience lurking in our hearts. All things are visible to God; no one can hide from him (v. 13). He uses his living and piercing Word to search us deep within and to show us the “thoughts and intentions” that are displeasing to him. Let us utilize this vital gift of Scripture (cf. Ps. 19:11–14) through Bible reading, Bible study, and church attendance in order to deepen our understanding of God’s Word. God gives us what we need if we will make use of his gracious gifts.
Psalm 119:103-104
103 How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! 104 Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.
God’s words expose what is in our hearts. Pray that you would be responsive to the Scripture as God uses it to reveal who you really are below the surface.