John 7
In v25-52, as Jesus continues to teach during the Festival of the Tabernacles (one week), there is division over who Jesus is and attempts are made by some of the crowd (implied the Jewish leaders, elders, chief priests, etc.) to seize Jesus. What everyone in the story cannot understand is that Jesus is following God's plan for His life and there appointed times for everything that is to unfold, including Jesus' ultimate arrest and crucifixion. Jesus is telling everyone that He will be going to Heaven to sit at the right hand of God but the time for this to occur has not arrived (v30, v44). There was ample opportunity for Jesus to be arrested as Jesus was not armed (see also v45-52) but it was not the right time.
God is in control.
John Piper does an excellent job explaining the role of free will (a very difficult topic in the context of the Bible) and he encourages us to focus not on the mystery of free will but on our relationship with Him and what we can understand with greater certainty - God loves us, He is always with us, God's promises, etc.
My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what a great God You are - I KNOW You love me, You are always with me, and Your promises always come true! Thank You Jesus for being my God and for adopting me into Your family. I love You. I am undeserving of such love and grace. I sin far too often. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
Jesus said, “I am with you for only a short time, and then I am going to the one who sent me. You will look for me, but you will not find me; and where I am, you cannot come.” v33-34
In v25-52, as Jesus continues to teach during the Festival of the Tabernacles (one week), there is division over who Jesus is and attempts are made by some of the crowd (implied the Jewish leaders, elders, chief priests, etc.) to seize Jesus. What everyone in the story cannot understand is that Jesus is following God's plan for His life and there appointed times for everything that is to unfold, including Jesus' ultimate arrest and crucifixion. Jesus is telling everyone that He will be going to Heaven to sit at the right hand of God but the time for this to occur has not arrived (v30, v44). There was ample opportunity for Jesus to be arrested as Jesus was not armed (see also v45-52) but it was not the right time.
God is in control.
John Piper does an excellent job explaining the role of free will (a very difficult topic in the context of the Bible) and he encourages us to focus not on the mystery of free will but on our relationship with Him and what we can understand with greater certainty - God loves us, He is always with us, God's promises, etc.
My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what a great God You are - I KNOW You love me, You are always with me, and Your promises always come true! Thank You Jesus for being my God and for adopting me into Your family. I love You. I am undeserving of such love and grace. I sin far too often. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
