John 7:15-17 English Standard Version

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.

Great students have great teachers. That is an assumption. Jesus has entered into the temple and began teaching. What is our understanding about who gives authority within that culture in those times? Our church does not allow a stranger to enter in, take the podium and just begin teaching. Why did they?

These are unanswered questions. We make assumptions based on knowledge. Baseless assumptions lead to bad conclusions. What did they know about Jesus and why it was that He could read for the skill for reading the Torah was based on teaching of writings first and then having those skills recognized. Is that statement a baseless assumption?

Luke 4:16-17 English Standard Version

¹⁶ And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. ¹⁷ And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,

Unlike the leaders of Jesus’ time we have the benefit of scriptures that tell of the earlier days of Jesus. Key to this understanding are the words “as was his custom.” The leader of the synagogue handed the scroll to read because he had experienced what Jesus was capable of doing. We know that custom is an important part of Jewish tradition because of all that is written about their traditions.

Lastly allow me to point to the last thing said in John7:17. It was a challenge about knowing God’s will and doing God’s will. It comes down to knowing it when you see it.

John 13:34-35 English Standard Version (ESV)

³⁴ A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. ³⁵ By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Think about the one person you love the most.

Elizabeth Barret Browning challenges us in Sonnet 43 to ask ourselves; “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.”

Take a moment to answer the question about your loved one. Count the ways you love that one. Rank them if you must but honesty usually identifies itself in these moments with first thoughts. Now take a moment to look over your list. If it is a mental list fine, so be it.

Now qualify that list. Is the list physical in nature? Such as I love your eyes. Is the list commercial in nature? Such as I love your cooking? Is it personal in nature? Such as I love your personality? Is it spiritual in nature? Such as I love your heart. Maybe it is a mix bag of these or something else.

Here is a list that might exist out there.

I wake up every morning looking for you.

I ask about your thoughts and emotions.

I ask about what you want?

I look to meet your needs.

I share my inner most self with you. I hide nothing.

I care about what you care about and I hope you feel the same way about me.

Jesus said to love one another but never said how to do it.

John 17:24 English Standard Version (ESV) Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.

“I love you and want you to be with me, to see me, to see love and to share it.” JC Limitless Love