September 5, 2020 -- John 7:45 -- Live Boldly for Jesus
/The officers then came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, “Why did you not bring him?”
John 7:45 English Standard Version
Through-out the Gospel of John you’ll get indicators, like this one, of the power of Jesus Christ. Nicodemus, who was part of the Pharisees, approached Jesus at night to ask Him questions. He said to Jesus “Rabbi, we know that you are teacher come from God” (John 3:2). Let that sink in for a moment. What a statement that is and a declaration of the truth of Who Jesus Is.
Jesus healed a man who had been an invalid for 38 years. He did so on the Sabbath—a day the Pharisees had filled with their own regulations and by-laws. The Pharisees were furious at Jesus. “This is why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God” (John 5:18).
Jesus will not be arrested until the hour has come. He is not helpless. He is not caught up in a political cancel culture that He can’t fight. He had come to the earth at the exact moment determined by the Father. He will accomplish His mission. He will not be deterred nor will He fail at any point. He will voluntarily yield Himself to arrest when the hour appointed by His Father in heaven. Not one moment before that.
Fellows Christians, what keeps you from witnessing? What fears bind you? Know this, our life and our death are in the hands of our Faithful, Powerful King—Jesus. We need not fear people nor circumstances. Everything that happens to us is for the forging of our faith and for the glory of God. He will bring us safely to eternity in His Presence at the hour He has appointed. He is at our Father’s right hand, praying for us. Let that glorious truth carry you forward to live boldly for Jesus.
Mighty Lord Jesus Christ, thank You for all You suffered so that all appointed to be the sons and daughters would be brought to our Father in heaven. Spirit of Power, thank You for teaching us in the way of Jesus Christ. Give us long-suffering obedience and confident faith to live boldly for Jesus, declaring Him to all we meet. Triune God, be our life’s vision and highest, joy-filled goal. Amen.
This song today is the Lord’s Prayer in Swahili
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuWr4gYJ6nM