Bible Reading: 1 Chronicles 6-7; John 8:21-36
Memory verse: “They understood not that he spake to them of the Father.” John 8:27 (KJV)
The conversation between Jesus and the scribes and Pharisees still amaze me each time I read some passages of the bible. These people were the learned, they knew the law and were teachers of the law. Yet, when the person the law is all about came to them, they couldn’t recognize Him.
On the other hand, there were ordinary people of the society who immediately recognized and followed Jesus when they met Him. Some even abandoned their business and everything else and followed Him. Bible tells us in Mark 1:17-18 (KJV) “And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. [18] And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him.” That was Simon and Andrew.
Shortly after in Mark 1:19-20 (KJV), “And when he had gone a little farther thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets. [20] And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.” These men followed Him till the day of His death.
The religious leaders have become so religious that they now walk with God without the Spirit of God. It was so bad Jesus called them the children of the devil because they couldn’t hear His voice even as He spoke with them one-on-one. Remember, He tells us, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:” John 10:27 (KJV). Those who cannot hear His voice are not His but the devil’s.
Your walk with Christ is a relationship, where you get to know Him and hear Him. Observing a set of rules set up to keep you in the walk is okay but never above the instructions gotten from the Spirit of God directly to your heart. The main difference between religious people and the true followers of Christ is the Spirit of God leading the followers.
Learn to walk with God in Spirit and in truth. Remember, what Jesus told the woman at the well, “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” John 4:24 (KJV)
Prayer: Father, may my worship of You always be in spirit and truth all the days of my life in Jesus name.
Bro. Worthmore Aghanenu