October 23, 2017

Insights on Today's Reading

John 7 - If you're concerned about your unbelieving relatives, please note that Jesus own half-brothers didn't believe in Him either, verse 5.  We know that at least two of them, James and Jude, would later believe and God would use them to write the two letters that bear their names.  At the feast in Jerusalem Jesus would proclaim the Holy Spirit's ability to give us "rivers of living water" in our hearts once we received Christ and the Spirit would indwell us.  As Jesus traveled and preached He often left people with a choice to make: either believe completely in Him or reject Him, verse 43.

John 8 - The opening verses speak of an incident that so very clearly shows John 3:17 in action!  A woman "taken in the act of adultery" verse 3 was condemned by her accusers.  Jesus showed the hypocrisy of their accusations since all of these men were guilty too!  When everyone left her, Jesus said that He wouldn't condemn her!  Imagine how that would leave an indelible stamp on her life of the gracious love and forgiveness of God!  Oh that we could treat people the same!