The Word

Saturday, March 9, 2013

Jeremiah 11:18-20 | Psalm 7 | John 7:40-53

CROSS-WORD PUZZLES

“No man ever spoke like that before.” - John 7:46

“The crowd was sharply divided over Him.” - John 7:43

The temple guards “forgot” to arrest Jesus, so impressed were they by His words. However, the Pharisees were unimpressed; they said the guards and the crowds that listened to Jesus had been taken in (John 7:47).

This was not the first time Jesus had received contradictory reactions to His words. At His hometown of Nazareth, “they marveled at the appealing discourse which came from His lips” (Luke 4:22). Nevertheless, a few minutes later, “the whole audience in the synagogue was filled with indignation. They rose up and expelled Him from the town” (Luke 4:28-29).

Christ is “an obstacle and a stumbling stone. Those who stumble and fall are the disbelievers in God’s word” (I Peter 2:8). We will either hate Jesus, His word, and those who proclaim it (see John 15:18, 20), or we will find His words to be the joy and the happiness of our hearts (Jeremiah 15:16).

Let the Holy Spirit wield God’s word (see Ephesians 6:17) to crucify your flesh with its passions and desires (Galatians 5:24). Otherwise, you will continue to crucify Jesus (Hebrews 6:6). Submit to God’s word with joy.

Prayer: Father, I accept Your grace to conform my life to Your Word.