April 14, 2022
What does it say?
Jesus traveled to Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles after facing the disbelief of his family in Nazareth.
What does it mean?
This chapter reveals the confusion surrounding Jesus’ claim to be the Son of God. Nazareth and Jerusalem were both buzzing with the same topic: Who is Jesus, really? The controversy started with His family in Nazareth and continued in Jerusalem where His teaching at the feast aroused the anger of the priests and Pharisees who rejected Him as the Christ. The evidence was there – He knew the Scriptures even better than their religious leaders, and He taught them with such power. Jesus’ teaching was forcing people to make a decision about His identity and spiritual authority.
How should I respond?
Two thousand years later, people are having the same debate: Who is Jesus, really? In what has been called the most famous quote outside of the Bible, C.S. Lewis puts it this way, “Jesus Christ is either a liar, a lunatic or Lord.” Who do you say Jesus is? If you’re not sure, then commit to really study His words as we read the book of John. Ask Christ to reveal Himself to you as you meditate on His character and teachings. If you claim Jesus as Lord, do you treat Him as such by obeying even the most difficult parts of what He says to do? What will you do today to acknowledge Jesus as your Lord?